June 18-24: Janine Sobeck

June 18-24: Janine Sobeck  

Focus: "It's my first 'official' week as the new Dramaturgy Specialist at Brigham Young University, so this week will be all about transitioning from a regional theatre 'turg to an academic one."

Bio: Janine Sobeck is the new Dramaturgy Specialist at Brigham Young University, where she teaches, supervises and works as a production dramaturg.  Previously, Janine worked as the Artistic Associate: Literary at Arena Stage in Washington DC.  While at Arena she created “Sub/Text,” an extensive dramaturgical website for audience members (http://www.arenastage.org/shows-tickets/sub-text/), dramaturged many shows, was the producer of the Downstairs New Play Development Program and worked with the American Voices New Play Institute.   Janine is currently the Vice President of Communications for the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas (LMDA).  During her first term, Janine played a key role in designing the new LMDA website (www.lmda.org) and overseeing the LMDA Twitter Project.  Janine has an M.A. in Theatre History Theory and Criticism from Brigham Young University and was the recipient of the 2009 Dramaturgy Debut Award for the Association for Theatre in Higher Education.

Questions from LMDA:

What is your definition of dramaturgy?

"Awesomeness. :) Actually, I hope that when I work as a dramaturg on a production that I am able to somehow enrich the experience of the people involved.  Whether that is working with the playwright in developing the script, delving into the world of the play and sharing important information with the production team and actors, or working with the audience in helping them understand what they are seeing on stage, I work to help make the play, the production and the experience the most it can be.  I find that this means that I ask lots and lots of questions. And then I sing 'kumbyaya' afterwards."

What is your dream project?

"Ever since I first read Metamorphoses I have wanted to work with Mary Zimmerman.  I've had the pleasure of reading and seeing several of her plays and I am both fascinated by the process that she and her company go through and thrilled by the amazingly theatricalrical experiences that they produce."