Dramaturgy
The LMDA/ATHE/KCACTF Student Dramaturgy Award
The LMDA/ATHE/KCACTF Student Dramaturgy Award recognizes contributions by student dramaturgs to the conception, development and production of theater within their colleges and universities, or to educational projects in dramaturgy. The philosophical foundation of this award, like that of dramaturgy itself, rests in the belief that art benefits from examination on the parts of both artist and audience, and that creative inspiration accompanied by analysis and reflection is most likely to lead to productions and projects that fulfill the spiritual, social and personal potential of the theatrical event.
This award is the result of a unique collaboration between Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas (LMDA), the professional association of dramaturgs and literary managers working in North America, and the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF), a national program dedicated to improving the quality of college and university theater in the United States. Members of LMDA from across the country will select the winner of that region’s LMDA/KCACTF Student Award in Dramaturgy and will participate in giving feedback to each student dramaturg.
Who is Eligible?
Undergraduate and graduate students who work specifically as the dramaturg on a production or workshop, or who submit work created for a dramaturgy class, are eligible. If the project is a workshop or production, the student must be credited as the dramaturg. A student who also writes, directs, designs, performs in, or otherwise collaborates on a project will be responsible for articulating the boundaries of the dramaturgical work and speaking on its behalf.
Projects must be completed (plays closed, workshops completed, projects turned in) by 5 pm on February 1st to be eligible. Projects completed after this date may be submitted for this award the following year. Students may attend the dramaturgy sessions just to learn; in other words, they do not have to have a project to share in order to take advantage of our participating guest’s incredible expertise.
What does the award entail?
The winner of the LMDA/KCACTF Student Dramaturgy Award will receive a $100 cash prize, and one year’s membership in LMDA paid for by KCACTF. The Region VII winner may receive an all-expense-paid residency at the National Festival at the Kennedy Center in Mid-April, including multi-day workshops with leading artists in both production and new play dramaturgy. From the eight regional winners, four will be selected to advance each year.
The recipients of the National LMDA/KCACTF Fellowships receive residencies with the O’Neill Playwrights Conference, The Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis and/or the Kennedy Center/National New Play Network’s MFA Playwrights’ Workshop in the summer.
As we continue to develop the dramaturgy area in Region VII, we will be adding additional certificates of recognition and areas of conference participation. Please be on the lookout for details.
Award Criteria
- What is creative about the dramaturg’s approach and/or analysis?
- How is the production or project enhanced by dramaturgical analysis or research; alternatively, how is the academic project in dramaturgy imaginatively projected into a larger social, political, academic or artistic setting?
- In what way are the audience, artists or institution enriched by dramaturgical ideas and execution?
- How are issues that might be raised by the terms of the collaboration or changing responsibilities dealt with and/or resolved?
- How does this project inform, challenge or advance the field of dramaturgy, in general and/or within the student’s school?
- You are welcome to attend just to learn, without a packet of material or for a refresher course in good dramaturgical practices.
Apply for the Dramaturgy program in Region 7
The LMDA/KCACTF Student Award in Dramaturgy will be presented on the closing night of the Regional Conference.