What is a Dramaturg?

Associate Artist James Magruder has, at times, defined the job as being:

"conscience of the theater"

"bridge between page and stage"

"resident egghead"

"artistic enabler"

Inside and out of the theater profession, it is an oft-asked question, one that a member of the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas, Winston D. Neutel, has even set up a website to try to answer.

CENTERSTAGE Artistic Director, Irene Lewis, put it this way:

"Whether the task at hand is microscopic - explicating a single line from As You Like It in rehearsal or helping choose a translation of The Cherry Orchard - or telescopic - pushing me to consider how to re-conceive the mainstage season - I rely on this sounding board to shore up the essential concept of 'artistically driven.' The dialogue among us, the brainstorming, the troubleshooting, the practical dreaming, is constant and constantly fascinating."