Do It Yourself Dramaturgy
1,001 Questions to Ask Myself Before I Submit my New Play (plus 80 bonus questions on how to have a career as a playwright)
by Caroline Russell-King

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“The secret of life may be found in the questions you ask, and the same goes for the secrets of playwriting. In Do It Yourself Dramaturgy, Caroline Russell-King asks just the right questions or, rather, she exhorts playwrights to ask them before launching their work into the world. Comprehensive and concise, this eminently usable guide offers lesson after lesson in dramaturgical inquiry—craft-based, artistic, practical, professional, and even profound. It comes packing answers, too, from a writer who clearly knows her stuff, including how to entertain as she teaches. Russell-King’s cheeky, smart examples are worth the price of admission. Her parentheticals—where she stows personal stories and biases—are priceless. “ —Todd London, Artistic Director, Writer, Dramatist Guild of America, NYC. “What a terrific resource for playwrights: sound advice and provocative questions peppered with relevant (and entertaining) anecdotes.” —Conni Massing, Playwright, screenwriter, story consultant, Edmonton. “Full of really valuable advice and questions to ask yourself. Read it then WRITE.” —George F. Walker, Playwright, Toronto. “Caroline Russell-King's Do It Yourself Dramaturgy guides you like a lighthouse beacon through the frequent fog of the creative process of writing, or more likely, rewriting a stage play. Phrased as a series of practical questions the playwright might ask of their work before revising and submitting it to a potential producer, this concise, practical and lively guide renders complex concepts accessible and useful to a playwright at any level of experience, or for that matter anyone engaged in the creation of that fundamental conveyor of human experience: story.“ —Gerry Potter, Writer, Director, Dramaturg, Edmonton. “Russell-King knows what she’s talking about. And she knows how to tell it with frankness, humour and clarity.” —Bill Lane, Producer, Director, Stratford.

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Caroline Russell-King, an acclaimed playwright and seasoned dramaturg with over 40 years of experience, stands as a guiding force in the world of dramaturgy. As the CEO and founder of Dramaturgy on Demand, she has supported and collaborated with many playwrights, guiding them to develop their scripts with precision. Her talent as an author and playwright has been recognized with many prestigious awards, including winning the 2023 Writers Guild of Alberta Award for drama for her play High and Splendid Braveries. She was a finalist for the Stephen Leacock Award for Humour for her published trilogy, Palliser Suite. Caroline co-authored Strategies: The Business of Being a Playwright in Canada with Rose Scollard, further establishing her as a prominent voice in the field. In her latest book, Do It Yourself Dramaturgy, Caroline shares her vast knowledge and practical insights to offer playwrights an in-depth and more cost-effective way to address play development challenges. Having amassed an impressive portfolio of 32 plays and 63 productions across Canada and the USA, she knows firsthand the dedication and skill it takes to succeed in the industry. Visit www.carolinerussellking.com and www.dramaturgyondemand.com

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Contributors

Author

Caroline Russell-King

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