On the Wings of Dramaturgy
Mentor 1
Alvaro Rios
Location
Union 240
Start Date
27-4-2018 12:40 PM
Description
STUPID F***ING BIRD, Aaron Posner's modern-day adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s 1896 play, The Seagull, was a UWM Spring theatre production. As the dramaturg, my primary focus was on Chekhov, The Seagull, and the socio-political climate of Russia before, during, and after The Seagull. I relied on English and Russian primary sources relating to Chekhov and Russia and gathered vast amounts of information including the social turmoil in 1890s Russia due to the assassination of the Tsar, Chekhov’s personal connection to suicide and imbedded social and personal critiques and allusions. Along with historical Russian newspaper publications, I used personal journals and letters enabling me to understand significantly how certain elements led to Chekhov questioning his self-worth as a playwright and the future success of The Seagull as was then applied to SFB. Aspects of my research were implemented and brought to the present in UWM's production of STUPID F***ING BIRD. Research adds uniqueness to a theatrical performance by bringing accuracy of relevant historical content into the production. For example, understanding the chaotic and decadent time of Russia gave a sense of the real atmosphere in which Chekhov wrote which was realized in the characters themselves in SFB. The cast and crew of SFB beautifully integrated their abilities and ideas with the historical content that is the foundation of SFB. In employing various components of my research into SFB performances, like archived Russian expressions and terminology, the minimalistic set and design that alluded to Chekhov’s beliefs about theatre, the cast and crew paid homage to Anton Chekhov with their production of STUPID F***ING BIRD. The role of dramaturgy, the way research and information are used from dialogue and costumes, to programs, makes brilliant and distinctive the production because the research will broaden and capture various features that enrich every aspect of a production.
On the Wings of Dramaturgy
Union 240
STUPID F***ING BIRD, Aaron Posner's modern-day adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s 1896 play, The Seagull, was a UWM Spring theatre production. As the dramaturg, my primary focus was on Chekhov, The Seagull, and the socio-political climate of Russia before, during, and after The Seagull. I relied on English and Russian primary sources relating to Chekhov and Russia and gathered vast amounts of information including the social turmoil in 1890s Russia due to the assassination of the Tsar, Chekhov’s personal connection to suicide and imbedded social and personal critiques and allusions. Along with historical Russian newspaper publications, I used personal journals and letters enabling me to understand significantly how certain elements led to Chekhov questioning his self-worth as a playwright and the future success of The Seagull as was then applied to SFB. Aspects of my research were implemented and brought to the present in UWM's production of STUPID F***ING BIRD. Research adds uniqueness to a theatrical performance by bringing accuracy of relevant historical content into the production. For example, understanding the chaotic and decadent time of Russia gave a sense of the real atmosphere in which Chekhov wrote which was realized in the characters themselves in SFB. The cast and crew of SFB beautifully integrated their abilities and ideas with the historical content that is the foundation of SFB. In employing various components of my research into SFB performances, like archived Russian expressions and terminology, the minimalistic set and design that alluded to Chekhov’s beliefs about theatre, the cast and crew paid homage to Anton Chekhov with their production of STUPID F***ING BIRD. The role of dramaturgy, the way research and information are used from dialogue and costumes, to programs, makes brilliant and distinctive the production because the research will broaden and capture various features that enrich every aspect of a production.
