We today launch the New Dramaturgs Group: a four-month project for five early-career creatives to develop skills and gain practical experiences in dramaturgy.

Led by Grace Gummer, Playwright Mentor at Sheffield Theatres, the New Dramaturgs Group is designed to provide resources for aspiring creatives who wish to explore dramaturgy as a skillset.

The New Dramaturgs Group will begin in late April and conclude at the end of August, meeting weekly.

Participants will develop their skills, gain professional experience, watch and engage with work at Sheffield Theatres, undertake paid work as a dramaturg on a Sheffield Theatres project, and collaborate with the artistic team on the creation of a residency programme for in-development work in the region.

Grace, Playwright Mentor, said:

“Dramaturgy is probably one of the weirdest words in theatrical vocabulary, easily dismissed as jargon. What on earth is it? And how do you even say it? For me, dramaturgy is simply how a play works. If you can describe exactly why your favourite song is so good, what it does to hit so hard, then you're close.

Giving people the skills and the confidence to practice dramaturgy will mean they can then go on to collaborate with other theatre-makers in the future. They will support the creation of exciting new work in and by Sheffield.”

Submissions for the New Dramaturgs Group is open now to applicants based within 25 miles of Sheffield and with less than two years of professional experience working in theatre. Applications will close on Tuesday 4 April.

The New Dramaturgs Group is made possible by the generous support of Barbara Crossley.

We would like to thank The Dramaturgs Network for their support and expertise in the conception of this project. You can learn more about their work here.

Find out more below.