Re: RAT Playwriting Opportunities & Dramaturgs

[Ahoodwink@aol.com]

In a message dated 12/2/00 10:12:31 AM, scrdchao@nni.com writes:

<< 2) Out of those who do, how many of you have a long-standing 
relationship with one or two people who you feel are especially 
consonant with your work? >>

OK, I've been silent too long.

I am in the process of working on my third project with Julie Dubiner, a 
remarkable freelance dramaturg based in Chicago.  Julie is a fine historian, 
and in that capacity she was able to provide background research to my cast 
of LIGHT SHINING IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE a few years ago.  As this was total 
non-Equity, and I was both directing and producing, it was invaluable to have 
her make a packet of articles and pictures that provided context for the 
actors and designers.  Her research greatly deepened the political religious 
debate among the actors regarding the issues in the play, which helped us all 
make deeper work.  You may argue that that's an actor's homework.  It is; but 
when she's a trained historian and they're not, I think it makes great sense 
( and is a better use of time) to have her supply at least a starting ground 
of material to read and process.  Many of them did additional research on 
their own.  She also steered us to period-correct props, like pottery bottles 
and metal dishes, which became important parts of the play's soundscape.

Our second collaboration was a site-specific project in a lakefront mansion.  
We used composition exercises to generate material with our actors during a 
long rehearsal process.  Our original texts were fairy tales.  Julie and the 
actors and I discussed the sources. She and I devised exercises to generate 
material, and then selected the elements that went into the final piece.  
Again, as director/producer, I really appreciated having an informed second 
pair of eyes that understood what we were trying to do, who could go away and 
return with fresh eyes to offer suggestions about what was taking shape.  I 
was definitely the director, but my efforts were aided enormously by Julie's 
craft and insight.

I am writing our third collaboration, about the early silent film industry in 
Chicago.  Julie and I have researched side by side.  I am currently (too 
slowly, alas!) bringing her scenes and discussing them.  She provides, again, 
invaluable feedback as to are we on our original path?  do we need to be?  
what are the relative places of historical info and character?  The lone wolf 
writers among you may call this hand-holding.  I call it enriching creative 
dialogue.  I am proud and grateful to have a continuing collaboration with a 
thoughtful, honest, and funny collaborator.

And I love her shoes.

Amy Ludwig