A contemporary term, a dramaturg can serve a number of functions inside a theatre company. For our purposes here, we will look most closely at the dramaturg as an individual who researches and deconstructs a theatre text for production.

Put simply, dramaturgical research works to enrich the performances on stage and enhance the dramatic potential of the play as a piece of theatre art. (adapted from Gadaloff 1998).

Comprehensive research is essential to this approach and thus, this kind of work requires an individual who is able to be selective and precise about searching for relevant and authentic information about the play. Both the wider and inner worlds of the play must be privileged including information about the political, historical, social and cultural contexts of the play.

In order to understand the inner life of the play, the dramaturg must carefully analyse the play's style, structure, themes, characters, language and the use of symbol.

Brisbane (1990) suggests that the dramaturg is, a play text specialist who assists the director to inform and shape the creative process of the production. Essentially, the dramaturg becomes the link between the director, the playwright and the designers. (in Gadaloff 1998)

Louise Gough, one of Australia's most experienced dramaturgs provides a model of dramaturgy that works as a most useful guide for us in first year drama. (in Gadaloff 1998). Gough (1991) suggests that the dramaturgical approach increases social awareness, truthfulness, relevance, insightful meaning of the text and a greater understanding of drama as an art form. (in Gadaloff 1998, p.70).

Gough outlines the following seven functions of the dramaturg:

- Research. Providing insight into the play.

- Translation. In the case of foreign plays, translating for the Australian stage to maximise relevance and identification.

- Assessment. Supporting and advising new writers on aspects of structure and dramatic form.

- Facilitation. Assisting the playwright to improve the script in its process of development through a series of drafts.

- Enlightenment. (Brecht) To educate the audiences through articles, program notes, exhibitions, subscriber discussions, outreach programs, educational kits.

- Observation. 'Conscience of the theatre.' (Esslin) To act as a critical observer on the rehearsal floor and assist the director to edit and clarify text in action to realise the playwright's intention.

- Recommendation. Critically reading, evaluating and recommending scripts suitable for a theatre company's repertoire. (from Gadaloff 1998, p.70)

In researching any play for the theatre, you need to be selective whilst accessing analyse a wide variety of informatin sources. Some examples include:

- history and drama books

- newspapers

- past productions

- reviews

- costume books

- diaries

- interviews

- theatre companies

- programs

- films/videos

- biographies

- the Internet

Gadaloff provides an excellent overview of the kinds of research questions that should guide the dramaturg alongside some Australian plays that exemplify how these questions might prove relevant to the production team.

The Wider World of the Play

- Who is the dramatist? Nowra's plays are often biographical indicating his feeling as the outsider in his overall life experiences.

- Where is the play set? Enright's Summer Rain is set in the outback.

- When is the play set? Janson's Black Mary is set in the 1860's.

- What are the social and living conditions of the time? Davis's No Sugar is set in the Depression in 1930.

- What is the political climate. Williamson's Don's Party takes place on the eve of an election. Brilliant Lies explores social issues in a controversial time.

- Were there any major events that shaped the play? Brown's Aftershocks was inspired by the Newcastle earthquake. Nowra's Miss Bosnia was a direct response to the war in Bosnia.

- What are the playwright's intentions? Williamson's After the Ball is written about fragility and strength.

The Inner World of the Play

- Are there any specific climatic conditions of the play? In Summer Rain, drought is prevalent. In Gow's Away, it is summer.

- What is the specific location of the play? Blackrock privileges the beach. X-Stacy looks at the rave party scene.

- What is the style of the play? Epic, realisism, absurdism etc.

- What is the dramatic structure of the play? Identify conflicts, complications, climax.

- Does the language of the play require any special understanding? Australian slang is used heavily in plays such Dennis's The Sentimental Bloke. In Blackrock, the swearing is heavy and deeply embedded in the culture the play depicts.

- What symbols are pertinent to the full understanding of the play? In Lawler's The Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, the collected cewpie dolls are all important in understanding Olive's childlike take on life.

- Is there metaphor in the play that has particular relevance for the audience? In Summer Rain (Enright) the drought breaking is an analogy for the removal of barriers between people.

- What are the significant themes of the play? In Williamson's The Removalists violence is realised through the aggressive actions of the male characters.

(Reference: Gadaloff, J. (1998). Springboards: Australian Drama. Milton: John Wiley and Sons)