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TEXTBOOK
by Jamie Olah
I worked at the New Play Dramaturgy for Textbook, written by Jamie Olah, during the 2023-2024 academic year at Carnegie Mellon. At the start of our partnership in the fall, I did script analysis on drafts of the script, developed and synthesized feedback, facilitated discussions following readings amongst our cohort of playwrights and dramaturgs, and collaborated with Jamie on strategies for approaching the next draft of the script. At the end of the year, our collaboration culminated in a staged reading, directed by Tatiana Baccari, featuring actors from Point Park University and CMU.
At the start of our staged reading process, I assisted with casting and rehearsal space coordination. I also read stage directions during the rehearsal and performance, ensuring satirical or dramatic delivery of the stage directions as necessary to evoke the feeling of the on-stage action. I facilitated and notated our discussion as a team following the first read of the script and synthesized the feedback for the playwright's use during the rewrite process throughout the week.
During rehearsals, I took notes on any changes that were made to the script, provided thoughts on staging choices as needed, and offered contextual information as actors encountered points of confusion.
For the performance, as the script is a puppet-play, the playwright wished to have prototypes of the puppets on display for audience members. She also made Dirt Cups, a delicious dessert thematic to the play, for the audience to enjoy following the performance. I worked with the front of house staff through my position as a Box Office Manager to ensure the space was prepared to accommodate our needs. As a result, following our performance we had a lovely community experience where the audience was able to mingle with the cast, director, and playwright, reflecting on what they enjoyed about the play and discuss the take-aways from the political metaphor of the piece.
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