The Dramaturgy of History

In this book, dramaturg Tom Bryant shares with readers and writers his insights into the process of historical adaptation.

Tom Bryant is known for his work as a dramaturg in the development of new plays on Broadway and in America's regional theaters, most prominently Robert Schenkkan's All the Way, which won the Tony award for best play in 2014, and The Kentucky Cycle, which won the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1992. Other notable productions include Lisa Loomer's Roe, at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Arena Stage and Berkeley Repertory Theater, which won the Pen Center Literary Award for Drama in 2017. He served as head of the theater program at Crafton Hills College from 2004 to 2018 and currently serves on the faculty in the Department of Theater and New Dance at California Polytechnic State University, Pomona, USA.

1. Why Adapt History to the Stage? 2. Framing the Story 3. Choosing the Events- Finding the Nuggets 4. Plot and Structure 5. Character: Translating Historical Figures into Dramatic Characters 6. Theme- Focusing the Meaning of the Story 7. Finding Relevance to Contemporary Issues 8. Racial Sensitivity, inclusion and Cultural Appropriation 9. Dramaturgical Research and Development Process in Rehearsal and Production