What is Dramaturgy?

When the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation announced a $2 million challenge grant for CENTERSTAGE to establish the nation's first dramaturgy endowment, the first question out of many mouths was simple: "What is a dramaturg?"

The Foundation has enthusiastically endorsed the answer developed over the last 20 years by CENTERSTAGE: a dramaturg is an integral component of an artistically driven theater or theatrical production - and is worth significant financial support as well.

CENTERSTAGE has one of the country's largest and most accomplished Dramaturgical departments. Our dramaturgy staff includes a full-time resident dramaturg and a part-time Associate Artist.

Gavin Witt

Gavin Witt, Associate Artistic Director/Director of Dramaturgy, came to CENTERSTAGE in 2003 as Resident Dramaturg, having served in that role previously at several Chicago theaters. As a dramaturg, he has worked on well over 60 plays, from classics to new commissions—including play development workshops and freelance dramaturgy for TCG, The Playwrights Center, The New Harmony Project, The Old Globe, Bay Area Playwrights Festival, Contemporary American Theatre Festival, the Kennedy Center, and others. A graduate of Yale and the University of Chicago, he was active in Chicago theater for more than a decade as an actor, director, dramaturg, translator, and teacher, not to mention co-founder of greasy joan & co. theater, while serving as a regional Vice President of LMDA, the national association of dramaturgs. He has been on the faculty of the University of Chicago and DePaul University, and currently teaches at Towson University.

Kellie Mecleary

Kellie Mecleary, The Lynn and Tony Deering Dramaturgy Fellow, holds a Master’s Degree in Performance Studies from New York University and a BA in English and Theater from Goucher College. Most recently based in New York City, she has worked as a dramaturg, director, critic, producer, administrator, and stage manager with various organizations including Brave New World Repertory Company, Pipeline Theater Company, WOW Café Theater, Manhattan Theater Source, and Vital Theater. Her writing has been published through Cerise Press and OffOffOnline.com.