- Apply here by 20 June 2025, 11.59PM (UTC +8).
- Confirmation of registration will be announced on 30 June 2025.
- Course fee subsidies are available for selected applicants. Refer to application form for details.
Overview
An Introduction to the Dramaturg’s Work is a 4-session foundational course that will provide an introduction and grounding for performing arts practitioners who are curious about or want insight into the work that dramaturgs do.
Conducted fully online by Centre 42’s Consultant Dramaturg Juliet Chia, this course aims to equip participants with an understanding of and familiarisation with:
- the brief history and evolution of the role of the dramaturg
- the nature and scope of a dramaturg’s work
- different kinds of dramaturgs
- the role of the dramaturg in Asian performance practices
- how to approach formulating job scopes and compensation structures for professional engagements of dramaturgs
Participants can expect to engage in discussions based on assigned readings and undertake individual/group assignment(s). At the end of the four sessions, participants should be able to:
- articulate the work of a dramaturg and different types of dramaturgical interventions;
- decide when and how to engage with dramaturgs on their projects;
- clarify their area of interest should they choose to pursue a practice in dramaturgy.
This is the fifth run of the popular Introduction to the Dramaturg's Work course. Hear what previous participants have to say about their experiences, learnings and key takeaways from the past cohorts:
Attempting to analyze the dramaturgical structure of a text-based work, and imagining myself as a dance dramaturg and going through the thought process of what the role in that specific project brief entailed, were new attempts that seemed daunting at first. But having this opportunity to have a go at it allowed me to realize that it wasn't an impossible task. It was also great to attend this course with a diverse group of participants - hearing from them allowed me to identify the gaps in my thinking and process, for example my relative lack of knowledge with regard to performance history and different artistic practices. This course has therefore also allowed me to identify areas to continue working on.
~ Participant (2020)
I am more knowledgeable of the role of the dramaturg now than before and understand better how as a director/choreographer, I am able to maximise the role of a dramaturg in my work. I have also considered becoming a dramaturg myself and understand that although my training is predominantly in dance, the skills I possess as a researcher conducting performance, semiotic and critical analysis are necessary in the dramaturgy of any theatrical work.
~ Participant (2021)
I think it was a meaningful course in that it was a broad and incisive yet also a humble space. I felt like even experienced practitioners were also finding their way and also encouraging of newer practitioners to also find their own ways, making the dramaturg's work a welcoming space.
~ Participant (2022)
It was encouraging to be in the same virtual room as people who are also curious and invested in dramaturgy, and it was helpful to be acquainted with the terminology of the field... it was very useful to hear from practitioners from the region, not just locally - to hear and learn about their context was expansive and nourishing to my practice.
~ Participant (2023)
Course Details
- Dates:
- Session #1 | Sat, 12 July 2025, 10am - 12pm UTC+8
- Session #2 | Sat, 19 July 2025, 10am - 12pm UTC+8
- Session #3 | Sat, 26 July 2025, 10am - 12pm UTC+8
- Session #4 | Sat, 2 August 2025, 10am - 12pm UTC+8
- Total online contact time: 8hrs
- You will be asked to prepare and work on individual and group assignment(s) outside of the scheduled sessions.
- This course will be conducted in English, via Zoom virtual platform. There will be close-captioning (in English) enabled for all sessions.
Course Fee
Fee: SGD $160
The Asian Dramaturgs’ Network (ADN) will be offering full subsidies for up to two (2) selected participants from Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
Satellites will be offering full subsidies to up to three (3) selected participants from Aotearoa.
Centre 42 will offer up to 20% subsidy for applicants who require financial assistance, on a case by case basis.
Please complete Section 3 in the application form indicate your interest to be considered for the course fee subsidy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Application
– Application Period: 20 May to 20 June 2025 –
To qualify for this online course, you must:
- Be aged above 21 years old.
- Have a practice in the performing arts, or are engaged professionally in the performing arts practice, for a minimum of 2 years.
- Be comfortable communicating in English.
- Have a stable internet connection so that you can fully participate via Zoom both on audio and video.
- Commit to the full duration of the programme.
To apply:
- Complete the online application form here.
- Submit by Friday, 20 June 2025, 11.59PM (UTC+8).
- Confirmation of your spot in the Course will be announced on 30 June 2025.
Documentation
An Introduction to the Dramaturg's Work 2025 was the second international edition of our popular introductory series. 15 participants from Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and New Zealand met over Zoom to learn about the working definitions of dramaturgy, and the way dramaturgs operate in the arts.
Over the course of four sessions, facilitator Juliet Chia introduced participants to the various aspects of a dramaturg's work, such as the vocabulary that dramaturgs commonly use, the conversations to be had regarding the dramaturg's scope in a project, and important considerations for dramaturgical thinking. Participants viewed presentations, reflected on assigned readings, and engaged in small-group discussions about several key prompts. They also had the opportunity to speak with a guest artist, Miriam Cheong, about her recent work-in-progress presentation, Grand Theft Theatre, which had a dramaturg on board, as well as a guest dramaturg, Shawn Chua (a Dramaturg-in-Residence at Centre 42), about his experiences working as a dramaturg on different projects. The variety of exercises allowed participants to learn about the dramaturg's work from diverse perspectives, and learn from one another's thoughts and reflections.
A final group photo with our 2025 participants, and facilitator Juliet!
For this edition of the course, subsidies were made available by Centre 42, the Asian Dramaturgs' Network, and Satellites.
The participants who received subsidies from Centre 42 were Natalie Soh, Ning Poh, and Lum Wing Chee.
The participants who received subsidies from the Asian Dramaturgs' Network were Đoàn Thanh Toàn and Wyne Chakorn Chamai.
The participants who received subsidies from Satellites were Diana Hu and Nathan Joe.