🎭Dramaturgy Unit 12 – Contextual Research: Historical & Cultural Lenses

What's This Unit All About?

• Explores the importance of understanding historical and cultural contexts when studying and interpreting plays
• Focuses on how dramaturgical research can provide insights into the social, political, and artistic influences that shape a playwright's work
• Examines the role of the dramaturg in uncovering and communicating contextual information to directors, actors, and designers
• Discusses the impact of historical events, cultural movements, and societal norms on the creation and reception of dramatic works
• Introduces research methods and tools used by dramaturgs to gather and analyze contextual information
• Highlights the significance of applying contextual research to enhance the understanding and appreciation of plays
• Presents case studies and examples that demonstrate the value of contextual research in dramaturgy

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Dramaturgy: the study and practice of dramatic composition and the representation of the main elements of drama on the stage
• Historical context: the social, political, economic, and cultural conditions that existed during the time a play was written and first performed
• Cultural lens: the perspective through which a play is interpreted based on the cultural background, values, and experiences of the audience and the artists involved
• Primary sources: original documents, artifacts, or firsthand accounts from the time period in which a play was written (letters, diaries, newspapers)
• Secondary sources: scholarly works, critical analyses, and interpretations of a play or its historical and cultural context (books, articles, essays)
• Anachronism: the inclusion of elements in a play that are historically inaccurate or inconsistent with the time period in which the play is set
• Intertextuality: the relationship between a play and other texts, including literary, historical, and cultural references that inform its meaning and interpretation

Historical Context in Dramaturgy

• Investigating the historical context of a play helps dramaturgs understand the social, political, and cultural factors that influenced the playwright's creative process
• Researching the time period in which a play was written provides insights into the prevailing attitudes, beliefs, and values of the society that shaped the playwright's worldview
• Examining historical events, such as wars, revolutions, and social movements, can shed light on the themes, conflicts, and characters in a play
  • For example, understanding the impact of the Great Depression on American society is crucial when studying plays written during the 1930s (The Glass Menagerie)
• Analyzing the historical context of a play's first production can reveal how it was received by audiences and critics, and how it reflected or challenged the dominant cultural norms of the time
• Exploring the biographical context of the playwright, including their personal experiences, education, and influences, can provide a deeper understanding of their artistic vision and the messages they sought to convey through their work
  • Tennessee Williams' upbringing in the American South and his struggles with mental illness and sexuality are often reflected in his plays (A Streetcar Named Desire)

Cultural Lenses and Their Impact

• Cultural lenses refer to the diverse perspectives through which plays can be interpreted, based on factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and socioeconomic status
• Applying different cultural lenses to a play can reveal new meanings, challenge traditional interpretations, and highlight the experiences of marginalized or underrepresented groups
• Feminist lens focuses on the representation of women in plays, examining issues of gender roles, power dynamics, and female agency (A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen)
• Postcolonial lens explores the impact of colonialism and imperialism on the characters, themes, and settings of plays, often critiquing the legacy of cultural domination and resistance (The Tempest by William Shakespeare)
• Queer lens investigates the representation of LGBTQ+ identities and experiences in plays, challenging heteronormative assumptions and highlighting the diversity of sexual and gender expressions (Angels in America by Tony Kushner)
• Intersectional lens recognizes the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender, and how they create overlapping systems of discrimination or disadvantage in plays (A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry)
• Dramaturgs must be aware of their own cultural biases and strive to engage with plays from multiple perspectives, fostering inclusive and culturally responsive interpretations

Research Methods and Tools

• Dramaturgs employ a variety of research methods and tools to gather and analyze contextual information about plays
• Primary source research involves examining original documents and artifacts from the time period in which a play was written, such as:
  • Letters, diaries, and personal correspondence of the playwright or their contemporaries
  • Newspaper articles, reviews, and advertisements related to the play's first production
  • Historical photographs, maps, and illustrations that depict the social and cultural landscape of the time
• Secondary source research includes consulting scholarly works, critical analyses, and interpretations of a play or its historical and cultural context, such as:
  • Books, articles, and essays written by theater scholars, historians, and cultural critics
  • Documentaries, filmed performances, and interviews with directors, actors, and designers who have worked on the play
• Online databases and digital archives provide access to a wealth of primary and secondary sources, allowing dramaturgs to conduct research efficiently and remotely (JSTOR, Project Muse, Digital Theatre+)
• Collaboration with subject matter experts, such as historians, cultural scholars, and community members, can provide valuable insights and perspectives on a play's context
• Dramaturgs must evaluate the reliability and relevance of their sources, considering factors such as the author's credentials, the publication's reputation, and the timeliness of the information

Applying Contextual Research to Plays

• Dramaturgs apply their contextual research to inform the artistic and interpretive choices made by directors, actors, and designers
• Historical research can help directors make informed decisions about a play's setting, costumes, and props, ensuring that the production accurately reflects the time period and cultural milieu in which the play is set
  • For example, understanding the social hierarchy and fashion trends of Elizabethan England is essential when staging a production of Shakespeare's plays
• Cultural research can guide actors in developing authentic and nuanced portrayals of characters, taking into account the social norms, beliefs, and values that shape their behavior and relationships
  • An actor playing the role of Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire must understand the cultural expectations and limitations placed on women in the American South during the 1940s
• Contextual research can also inform the design elements of a production, such as the set, lighting, and sound, to create an immersive and historically accurate environment that enhances the audience's understanding of the play
  • The set design for a production of August Wilson's Fences should reflect the urban African American experience in 1950s Pittsburgh, including the architecture, furniture, and decorative elements of the time
• Dramaturgs may create educational materials, such as program notes, study guides, and lobby displays, to share their contextual research with the audience and enrich their experience of the play
  • These materials can provide historical background, cultural insights, and thematic analysis to help the audience engage more deeply with the play's content and relevance to contemporary issues

Case Studies and Examples

• The dramaturgy for the 2018 Broadway revival of Angels in America involved extensive research into the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, the Reagan administration's response, and the experiences of LGBTQ+ communities during that time
  • The production team consulted with activists, healthcare professionals, and survivors to ensure that the play's representation of the era was accurate and respectful
• The Oregon Shakespeare Festival's 2015 production of The Tempest incorporated elements of Native American culture and history to explore themes of colonialism and resistance
  • The dramaturg worked closely with indigenous artists and scholars to develop a culturally responsive adaptation that challenged traditional interpretations of the play
• The 2019 Chicago production of A Doll's House, Part 2 by Lucas Hnath, a sequel to Ibsen's classic play, required dramaturgs to research the social and legal status of women in late 19th-century Norway
  • This research informed the director's vision for the production, which highlighted the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the complexities of marriage and motherhood
• The dramaturgy for the 2017 production of Suzan-Lori Parks' Venus at the Signature Theatre in New York City delved into the historical context of 19th-century European colonialism and the exploitation of African bodies
  • The production team collaborated with scholars of African history and culture to develop a visually striking and emotionally powerful interpretation of the play that confronted issues of race, gender, and objectification

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

• Dramaturgs may encounter challenges when researching plays from cultures or time periods that are unfamiliar or underrepresented in mainstream scholarship
  • This requires a commitment to seeking out diverse perspectives and engaging with communities that have been historically marginalized or excluded from the canon of dramatic literature
• Interpreting plays through contemporary cultural lenses can sometimes lead to anachronistic or culturally insensitive portrayals that distort the original context and meaning of the work
  • Dramaturgs must strike a balance between honoring the playwright's intentions and making the play relevant and accessible to modern audiences
• Researching plays that deal with sensitive or traumatic topics, such as violence, abuse, or discrimination, can be emotionally challenging for dramaturgs and other members of the production team
  • It is important to prioritize self-care, establish boundaries, and seek support when engaging with difficult subject matter
• Dramaturgs have an ethical responsibility to accurately represent the historical and cultural contexts of plays, even when those contexts may be uncomfortable or controversial
  • This requires a willingness to confront and critique the biases and limitations of dominant narratives and to amplify the voices and experiences of marginalized communities
• Collaborating with artists, scholars, and community members from diverse backgrounds can help dramaturgs navigate these challenges and ensure that their research is culturally responsive, inclusive, and respectful
  • Building relationships based on trust, reciprocity, and mutual learning is essential for effective and ethical dramaturgical practice