Comedy Dramaturgy
Inspirational and constructive feedback to give your show the structure, pacing, and humour it needs to stand out.
I work with comedians one-on-one to make the most of your unique voice. I send questions, prompts, and feedback to help you find the best structure, pacing, and style for your set. I will also highlight moments where you can expand your jokes or where more clarity is needed to get the laughs.
No matter what stage you or your latest project is in, I’ll help you make the most of your material.
I’ve been a writer & dramaturg for over ten years. My most recent one-woman show (written for my sister to perform) won the Cultivatching the Fringe award and was nominated for Outstanding Original Script at the 2020 Jessie Richardson Awards. I was the programmer for the UK Jewish Comedy Festival and I was one of the winners of the Comedy 50:50 Female Writers’ Imitative. I use the skills and practices of theatrical dramaturgy in order to help comedians create stakes, tension, journey, and heart in their material – all while focusing on making you as funny as possible.
2023
Gina Harms, Crying in Public, Vancouver Fringe Festival
John Hastings, The Times They Are A John Hastings, Edinburgh Fringe Festival
2022
John Hastings, Do You Have Any Ointment My John Hastings?, Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Richard Stott, The Afterparty, Edinburgh Fringe Festival
2021
Recipient of Bill Millerd Artist Fund for Comedy Dramaturgy
Finalist in Comedy 50:50 Female Writers’ Initiative
Testimonials
"Deborah Vogt is the dramaturge you have been looking for when it comes to helping you craft a festival hour/one-person show. Deb spent so much time creating and crafting a response to my work. She did not insert herself she enhanced and encouraged me in making the whole show so much stronger. Please hire her, she will actually help (if you listen to her)."
- John Hastings (America’s Got Talent, Edinburgh Fringe, Just for Laughs)
"The notes are incredibly helpful. I normally only receive feedback for standup in the form of either an audience laughing or not laughing, so it’s been great to read a detailed and thoughtful response to my jokes. It’s very solitary work, and so knowing what areas people are interested in hearing more of is very enlightening."
- Andrea Jin (The Late Late Show with James Corden, Just for Laughs)
"Deborah is an absolute pleasure to work with. Her feedback was concise, extremely helpful and urged me to examine a host of elements I never would have considered myself. The benefit of her input was obvious and I will definitely be working with her again."
- Seán Burke (Channel 4, BBC Ulster)