I specialise in musical theatre dramaturgy &
comedy dramaturgy
Musical
theatre
I was a musical theatre nerd long before a dramaturg. When I started writing musicals, I started realising how writing the book of a musical is sometimes the least glamorous job, and often overlooked. Musical theatre dramaturgy is about ensuring all elements of the script are enhancing the musical and about giving space for innovative, intelligent, and inspiring new musical theatre.
Recent projects include Oh Kentucky, Plan Bea, and That Man. I am the co-founder of Chalk Musical Theatre Dramaturgy.
comedy
Comedy development is important. I take the skills and practices of theatrical dramaturgy and apply it to finding the voice and journey of new comedians or new routines. If you want to work one-on-one on a new set before you practice it in front of a crowd, get it touch. I accept video and script submissions.
I am particularly passionate about addressing the imbalance of women in comedy, so if you are a woman who is brand new to comedy, get in touch for pay-what-you-can dramaturgy.
script development
I want to read your new script. I have been a script reader and dramaturg for various theatres and festivals in Canada, the USA, and the UK. I can provide single script reports for a new draft or lead workshops to help you get to the next stage. I love supporting writers of all levels and projects at any stage of development. If you are stuck and in need of inspiration, get in touch.
Some companies I have worked with are JW3 London, Playwrights Realm, Playwrights Foundation, the Arts Club Theatre Company and the Vancouver Opera.
testimonials
"Deborah is an absolute gem to work with. She has such a strong eye for story and character and really helped finesse the story at every part of editing process, from the preliminary major questions, down to the nit-picky intricacies of the final working drafts. She will most definitely be my first choice dramaturg for the next time I need one."
— avery burrow, playwright
“Deborah created a protocol book for our production of Shaw’s Saint Joan. It was outstanding. As evidenced by the artistic team’s heavy use of and gratitude for all she provided. She was working with director Kim Collier on this and Kim later hired her independently as production dramaturg for her production of Sweeney Todd. Deborah will excel at any endeavour she puts her mind to. She’s infinitely capable, quietly deeply creative, and a pleasure to work with.”
— Rachel ditor, literary manager
“Thank you for your superb script report. The comments are insightful and extremely well thought out. You got to the heart of the matter and have given a brilliant overview of the work still to be done. To have access to such professional feedback is invaluable. The report has left us inspired and excited to see where the next draft takes us. Thank you.”
— Deborah gerhson, playwright
Ready to get started?
Questions?