Dancemakers are increasingly collaborating with dramaturgs to create new work. Yet the practice of dramaturgy is multi-faceted. This series explored the concept of dramaturgy through workshops and discussions, asking what the role of dramaturgy means to artists working in theater and dance today. By programming this discussion series, we hoped to come away with a broader understanding of the ways in which dramaturgy can benefit the field of dance.

Dramaturgy Discussion #1 took place at the MCA on Saturday, March 11, 2006.
The following guest artists were invited to spearhead the conversation, which was facilitated by CDF project director Kristen Cox.

Sarah Gubbins is a freelance dramaturg who is pursuing her MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage at Northwestern University. She has worked on numerous productions with Steppenwolf, The Court Theatre, Redmoon Theater, The Next and The Hypocrites.

Ann Filmer, former Producing Director of Chicago Dramatists and a dancer, has directed and developed plays for the past ten years in Chicago, most recently as a dramaturg for Steppenwolf and for Breakbone DanceCo.’s Heroine - A Woman’s Tale.

Coya Paz is the Co-Artistic Director of Teatro Luna, Chicago’s first and only all-Latina theater company. She is committed to facilitating original ensemble based autobiographical work, and is interested in work that explores gender, race, and nationality.

Kairol Rosenthal is a choreographer whose work is steeped in post-modern dance and physical theater improvisation. She has collaborated with Rosenthal/Chremos Dance Theater, crafting performances that make non-linear movement narrative readable to broad audiences.