• DRAMATURGY IN SINGAPORE •
DRAMATURGY AND ITS PLACE IN SINGAPORE
Presently, the role of a dramaturg and its functions are being undertaken by others involved in the production, usually the director and the designer. Although such research is important, this means that their time and attention has to be divided among their different duties, thereby possibly draining them of resources that could have otherwise been channelled to their specific sphere of expertise.
With the introduction of a dramaturg in the Singapore theatre, it allows for a better allocation of human resources. Furthermore, the dramaturg is important as he or she is a learned person who understands the playmaking process, has a sound understanding of theatre and its histories and theories, and who can also provide excellent artistic and analytical contributions to the creation of a performance.
Another aspect in which a dramaturg can benefit the company is by being the essential “outside eye” that provides critique of every performance that is put up by the company. The dramaturg’s critique is important not only because it helps the company improve on future productions, it also serves as an assessment for the company to reflect on their existing artistic aims and thereby making revisions if necessary.
Because dramaturgy itself is indispensable to the processes of theatre making, someone who serves as a qualified dramaturg will undeniably be beneficial to a company.