Navigating the world of theater can be a complex, yet rewarding journey. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a novice dipping your toes into the theatrical world, the breadth of knowledge needed is vast. Luckily, there’s a wealth of resources right at your fingertips—podcasts!
As a dramaturg, your work revolves around the text—analyzing it, understanding it, and bringing it to life. You dig deep into the playwright’s world, the characters’ motivations, the historical context, and so much more. It’s intellectual work, but also deeply creative. So, where can you find resources to fuel your intellectual curiosity and creativity? Look no further; here is a list of the most valuable podcasts for theater dramaturgs:
Theatre Theater: Three Los Angeles based theatre makers dissect, debate and disseminate works of the great Playwrights as well as anything and everything of, or related to, the art of Theatre.
The History of Literature: Not strictly a theater podcast, but it provides an in-depth look at the world of literature. It’s a treasure trove for dramaturgists seeking to enhance their textual analysis skills.
The Play’s The Thing: This podcast dives deep into the works of various playwrights, dissecting their plays one act at a time. Perfect for dramaturgists looking for new insights.
Beckett’s Babies: This podcast is all about playwriting and dramaturgy. It features interviews with playwrights, discussions on plays, and tips on script analysis—an ideal resource for dramaturgists.
The Ensemblist: While this podcast is geared towards ensemble actors, it offers unique insights into the world of theater that can benefit dramaturgists. The Ensemblist covers a wide range of topics from the audition process to the dynamics of an ensemble cast.
What’s your favorite or go-to podcast for dramaturgy? Send me (WebmasterMACT@gmail.com) the info and maybe I’ll include it in a followup article.