Wendy Weckwerth is a freelance dramaturg, editor, writer, translator, and educator. She has participated in the development of new work locally at the Playwrights’ Center, Theatre Novi Most, History Theatre, Theater Latté Da, and at other venues nationally. Her translation projects have been produced at Yale Rep (Robert Woodruff’s adaptation of Ingmar Bergman’s screenplay for Autumn Sonata) and August Strindberg Rep (Kristina). Wendy has taught at Yale, Dartmouth, Colby, Mount Holyoke, Bard, and Macalester Colleges. Training: DFA and MFA, Yale School of Drama. BA, Vassar College. wendyweckwerth.com
SEMINAR DESCRIPTION
You don’t have to be a dramaturg to think like one. Great new-play dramaturgs collaborate with writers by asking one essential question: How does this story want to be told? In this seminar, we’ll explore dramaturgical strategies you can apply to your own writing—or use to think about and discuss plays more deeply. What questions help unlock a script? What patterns emerge as you read or revise?
This class is for you if you:
- Are a playwright curious about incorporating dramaturgical thinking into your process.
- Are seeking foundational tools and strategies
- Have asked, “What’s a dramaturg?”
- Want to learn how to analyze plays beyond personal taste or gut instinct.
- Are interested in asking better questions about structure, character, and story.
- Are interested in learning more about Wendy’s work and approach to writing.
What to expect:
- Discussion of key principles and practices of new-play dramaturgy.
- Introduction to holistic, story-driven strategies for play analysis.
- Tools and frameworks to help you approach creative work with clarity and curiosity.
- Practical questions and inquiries you can apply to your own scripts or those of others.
- Assigned readings and resources.
From Wendy
Writing is an art and a craft, and dramaturgy merges the two. Every collaboration offers opportunities to flex both sides of your creativity, whatever your role. Continuing to explore how to ask generative, useful questions and thing big-picture has the potential to deepen your writing and make you an even stronger collaborator.
Wendy Weckwerth
The playwright she, her, hers
based inRobbinsdale, MN