The role of a theatre teacher is to convey a sense of the career pathways available in the field. Assignment suggestions encourage exploration of the role of dramaturge.

So that students develop an understanding of the complexities of theatre production, the teacher may ask them to explore the role of the dramaturge.

Each theatre company may have a different expectation about what a dramaturge does. A dramaturge will help the director research background material for a script, ensure smooth production of a play, as well as focus on educational literature and promotion of the production. [Celise Kalke ,1996]

It is the looseness of the definition of the role that provides the theatre teacher with scope to set flexible assignments for their students. Define the role in a way that will enable students to experience a research exercise that will cause them to unearth and explore the kinds of information and experiences that will be of most benefit to them.

These simple suggestions may act as a springboard for assessment tasks designed around the "Role of The Dramaturge."

Role of Promoter

1. Ask the students to write an advertisement inviting actors to apply for a specific role in a designated play, spelling out the selection criteria.
2. Ask them to arrange a mock interview for the short listed actors.
3. Some students could write a selection criteria and others could complete an application for the job.

Task of Development

1. In teams, ask students to develop a season of plays.
2. Ask them to show a sense of the coherence across the arrangement of the season's selections.

Editorial Function

1. Ask groups to write a play.
2. Once drafts of plays have been written, have them submit the scripts for editing.
3. Each one act play could be performed for the class.

Educational Packages

1. The 'dramaturges' could devise an educational package to depth a play
2. This could be made available online.
3. Invite younger grades to a performance
4. Teachers could use the packages to depth the material before and after with the play.

Role Plays

1. Divide the class into directors and dramaturges.
2. Give students turns both as director and then as dramaturges who assist the director

Research Assignment

1. When directors and actors become involved in a play, it is essential that they are able to get into role. One function of a dramaturge can be to research and elucidate history. Choose a play from another era and ask the student to write an “elucidation” in essay form.
2. They will be asked to conduct research into the historical and social conditions, specific locations, time periods and then to deliver an oral presentation to the class about what they have learned.

Promoting the Play

1. The dramaturges are to write an article for the local paper advertising their play.
2. Ask them to give a synopsis.
3. Encourage them to write a short blurb about each main actor.

Being a Spokesperson

1. Making a media appearance is an important function of the modern day dramaturge. Ask the students to prepare for a radio or TV interview.
2. They must attend to every detail that is important during a media interview. Details such as appearance and props for visual media and elements of the interview such as recorded excerpts for radio or PodCast are to be prepared well in advance.

Post Production Assessment

1. Ask students to record a short video clip of their current play and upload it to Utube.com
2. Encourage students to write comments online about other students Utube offerings.
3. Explain that they will be assessed with a keen eye to advertising and promotion.
4. Grammar, expression and appropriateness of comment will be evaluated.

Understanding the Role

1. The role of a dramaturge requires independence, detachment and discretion.
2. Ask students to write an essay about the importance of an impartial and watchful eye.
3. Urge them to explain why distance and discretion are integral to the role.

Adapt and mould these suggestions to suite the environment in which they take place. Simplify ideas for younger grades and blend them with other kinds of assessment instruments to fulfill the requirements of your curriculum.

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