Scholarly Review Equivalencies
Specific scholarly review equivalencies for Books, Refereed Articles and General Articles have been created for promotion/tenure portfolio review for the Department of Theatre Arts. The description of the equivalent Research/Creative Work that support the promotion/tenure portfolio review for the Department of Theatre Arts are outlined in the 2018 Department of Theatre Arts Guidelines and Criteria for Promotion and Tenure. Click here for the specific scholarly review equivalencies for the Department of Theatre Arts. To aide in the review process, beneath the heading for each Creative Work documented below the scholarly equivalency is noted.Hart's Role: Production Dramaturge
Play: Breath Boom written by Kia Corthron
Producer: Howard University Department of Theatre Arts
Location: Washington DC
Rehearsal Dates: September 1 - October 2, 2012
Production Dates: October 3 - 13 , 2012
There is life/living (Breath) and then there is death/ending (Boom). Breath Boom is not a play about female gang members, it's a play about people. Human beings figuring out how to live. How to survive. How to succeed based on the rules of the game they've inherited. Breath Boom, travels through time from 1986 to 2000, set in the Bronx, it shows a group of women who are forced to figure out how to live, how to adapt and how to survive while existing in an environment that oftentimes produces an animalistic mindset.
Breath Boom Dramaturgy Support Packet - Click Here
Production Program - Click Here
Scholarly Equivalency - Refereed Article
DC Metro Arts Production Review - Click Here
In my role as production dramaturge in an educational environment I supported and enhanced the work of the director and production team in creating a production of artistic and commercial merit. The production dramaturge helps the director and production team unpack the play and discover the multiple layers of meaning and value in the text and in the visual, aural and physical atmosphere of the play. This is accomplished by conducting thorough research to create a dramaturgy resource packet that articulates the inner structure of the play.
During early rehearsals the dramaturge is able to present critical observations and pose thought provoking questions; all of which position the production team to conduct rich and meaningful table work and engage in a productive on-your-feet rehearsal process. The work of the dramaturge empowers collaborators to make informed performance and design choices and enriches audience engagement.
Typically, early in the rehearsal phase the dramaturge supports the production team by presenting an overview of process and materials approved by the director, regarding how to best use the production resource book for a specific production. However in this situation the director did not wish to have a presentation. Instead, the packet was delivered to the production team and I attended several rehearsals and took notes regarding the kinds of questions actors had. I also prepared an addendum of information based on research requests from the actors. For most of the cast members this was the first time they had ever received and learned how to use a dramaturgy resource packet to support their acting process. Ultimately, the contributions of the dramaturge deepen the actors' understanding of the world of the play and supports the presentation of a production worthy of public viewing.
My dramaturgical contributions made to achieve the goals of creating a production reflecting artistic and commercial merit for "Breath Boom" include:
When a Tree Grows in Brookland tells the story of a little girl transplanted away from her beloved home in California and finds herself smack dab in the middle of a new community that isn’t as crazy as she is about keeping the planet by being environmentally conscious. The trash and smog come to life and the entire world is threatened if folks don’t get their act together! Will they or won't they?
Scholarly Equivalency - Refereed Article
The role of a playwright is to tell relatable entertaining stories that fit inside a theatrical structure and have artistic and commercial merit.
With a 22 year career as a playwright and director of plays written for child actors performing for family audiences, I'm always mindful to consider the varying ages of the audience members when constructing the story, creating the characters and music lyrics.
The production of "When a Tree Grows in Brookland" was inspired by my desire to learn more about how to preserve our earth and “Go Green.” As part of my research process I watched Al Gore’s award winning documentary, ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ and to expand the learning for the campers, The Casey Trees Foundation facilitated an experiential workshop for the campers. They learned more about the benefits trees have on our environment and how to think more critically about global warming and the way our society functions and contributes to this issue.
With regard to process, in the initial stages I collaborated with the musical director to create the lyrics and musical story structure. Thereafter I developed a draft of the script prior to the production and once the cast was selected I was able to make edits and incorporate ideas from the child actors. Once the final 90 minute full length script was completed a full cast read through was held and thereafter the rehearsal process began.
In my role as the production director I created the rehearsal schedule and conducted daily rehearsals with the actors. In addition, I held production meetings with the design team to make decisions regarding how to best capture the look, tone and mood of the play. Lastly, in collaboration with the design team I managed the tech process in preparation for the public event.
My contribution as playwright made to achieve the goals of creating a production reflecting artistic and commercial merit for "When a Tree Grows in Brookland" include:
My directorial contributions made to achieve the goals of creating a production reflecting artistic and commercial merit for "When a Tree Grows in Brookland" include:
Photo: Symposia panel - student presenter Jasmine Franklin, Moderator Denise J. Hart, student presenter Kayla Lindsey, panelist Dr. Andrida Mapson, panelist Lisa Briggs.
Scholarly Equivalency - Refereed Article
The symposium was designed to support the departmental production of Breath Boom written by Kia Corthron, of which I also served as the production dramaturge. The symposium, entitled "The Arrested Development of Girl Gangs and Their Impact on Society." focused on identifying black girls as part of the disproportionately incarcerated teen population and solutions for prevention and support.
I created the title and appropriately branded the symposium, secured all panelists and reviewed their research papers and designed the format of the event. The panelists, both students and academic/career professionals, were invited to present their research on the following topics:
Additionally, as symposium coordinator I was mindful to implement my vision/ concept with the intent to:
Scholarly Equivalency - General Article
In my role as theatre director I led the project by creating an environment where artists collaborate to implement the concept/vision set forth by the director and create a production that has artistic and commercial merit worthy of public viewing. My directing approach is discovery and process focused while achieving necessary milestones that result in a production worthy of public viewing.
My directorial contributions made to achieve the goals of creating a production reflecting artistic and commercial merit for "Bedlam in the Pulpit" include:
Play Script Bedlam in the Pulpit - Click Here
Play Script Quick Stop at the Florist - Click Here
Scholarly Equivalency - General Article
In my role as theatre director I led the project by creating an environment where artists collaborate to implement the concept/vision set forth by the director and create a production that has artistic and commercial merit worthy of public viewing. My directing approach is discovery and process focused while achieving necessary milestones that result in a production worthy of public viewing.
My directorial contributions made to achieve the goals of creating a production reflecting artistic and commercial merit for "Quick Stop at the Florist" include:
Scholarly Equivalency - General Article
Scholarly Equivalency - General Article