Dramaturgy:
noun.
The theory and practice of dramatic composition.
Dramaturg:
noun.
In a production capacity, we often take on a research and advisory role. We become an expert and advocate for the play and the playwright while assisting the director.
‘Trouble In Mind’ by Alice Childress
Kaylin dove into researching this play as a part of Main Street Theater’s 22-23 season, providing context and drawing parallels between The Great White Way of past and present and the relationship Black actors have with it. In what ways have we progressed and advanced as Black theatre artists in the Broadway space, and in what ways has whiteness as an institution tried keeping us the same?
‘THE WIZ’ BY SMALLS AND BROWN
Kaylin was responsible for researching The Wiz for the University of Missouri’s fall 2019 season, a musical that channels African-American experiences through the guise of The Wizard of Oz. During this time, she did public presentations on the research both at the university and the community.
‘BOY’ BY ANNA ZIEGLER
Kaylin worked as the dramaturg for the production of Boy by Anna Ziegler at Talking Horse Productions in Columbia, Missouri. In addition to conducting research and navigating subject material based on the tragic life of David Reimer, she also hosted a Q&A session between the cast, production team, and the audience members.
Kaylin did her first radio interview as promotion for the production.
‘THE EVERY 28 HOURS PLAYS’ BY VARIOUS
Kaylin was responsible for the research process and facilitation of lectures regarding police brutality and the impact it has on everyone during the University of Missouri’s production of the one minute play series.
LIFE AND LITERATURE SERIES: ‘SAFE’ BY GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON AND ‘PASSION PLAY’ BY ZAHRIA MOORE
Kaylin was responsible for doing research for two plays: Safe by Georgia Douglas Johnson, an anti-lynching play from 1929 dealing with themes of infanticide, and Passion Play by Zahria Moore, a play of the present day that draws inspiration from the three women finding Jesus’ empty tomb to draw attention to gun violence against young Black boys and the mothers they leave behind to heal. During this time, she facilitated lectures about the injustices and oppressions brought upon Black people following their arrival to the United States.