Our collaborators include playwrights, composers, generative artists, directors, producers, and theater companies. We work based on a project's specific needs and are able to accommodate our services to best fit the situation. The following is a guide to some of the services we can offer.

BEEHIVE SERVICES

Production Dramaturgy
New Play Development
Research
Literary Management
Audience Engagement Programming
Project Scouting

WORKING WITH A DRAMATURG

We've heard from a lot of artists who haven't previously worked with a dramaturg that they are concerned about not being able to afford one. We don't feel a dramaturg should be any more of a luxury than an actor or a director. We base our fees on the size of the project and the scope of your needs.

For a production, our pay is generally comparable to that of the designers.

For pre-production work, we figure out an agreement that makes sense for everyone involved. Balancing the dramaturg’s equitable compensation with the specific project’s needs requires a flexible approach. Beehive's aim is to offer accessible services, while still being compensated fairly for the time and value we offer. Given our experience, if we were getting compensated at what we feel is our full value, that would be an hourly fee of no less than $45. So, for example, a five-hour consultation (including initial conversation about the artist’s needs, our time reviewing materials and gathering thoughts, and a feedback discussion with the artist) would cost at least $225.

All this said, we are happy to match our fees to project budgets, if a project is the right fit.

LOOKING FOR A SCRIPT CONSULTATION?

Are you looking to get an outside perspective on a draft of your script, from a dramaturg with experience in supporting plays in development?

There are many dramaturgs who offer these limited-scale, one-on-one consultation services (scroll down for a list of recommendations). These conversations can be especially useful for playwrights who are newer to the field.

We provide a few recommendations below for dramaturgs who offer these consultations, but there are many more. Some things that may be helpful to consider as you seek out a dramaturg:

  • Be as clear as you can about who you are and what you are looking for -- are you new to writing for theater, or have you been at this for a while? Are there specific questions you have about your draft? How long have you been working on this particular piece, and have you received feedback on it yet? Have you worked with a dramaturg before, and do you know what sort of process or communication style works best for you?

  • Feel free to ask for a professional bio of the dramaturg you’re considering working with, if they don’t include one on their website. Have they worked on many other new plays? On projects that sound similar to yours? You could even talk more broadly about what sort of projects you’re both most drawn to / inspired by -- this can be a quick way to gauge how your tastes align and diverge.

  • It’s reasonable to ask for a short phone call with the dramaturg you might be working with, if you’d like to get a sense of your rapport.

  • Be sure to get something in writing about the scope of work, fee, timeline -- this protects both you and the dramaturg.

  • If you are working with a deadline (for an upcoming presentation or submission opportunity) be sure to allow enough time for the dramaturg to read your script, to schedule a feedback discussion, and then to incorporate their notes into your next draft.

  • A dramaturg is always looking to help you see your piece more clearly. We have found it easier to do this in conversation, rather than in written notes. How you get feedback is of course up to you, but in a discussion, the dramaturg can ask you questions and adapt their feedback to your responses.

  • Good dramaturgy takes time. The fee you are charged includes not just the notes discussion, but the amount of time the dramaturg has put into closely reading your script, perhaps several times, and articulating their thoughts in advance of meeting with you.

  • If you are unable to pay the fee of a particular dramaturg, be upfront about that. Perhaps you could arrange a barter. You may also be able to find a dramaturg early in their career who is very capable but eager for more experience, and would be willing to dramaturg your piece for a lower fee.

CHECK OUT THESE DRAMATURGS WHO OFFER CONSULTING SERVICES

Jess Applebaum - jessapplebaum.com/about
Jess’s Beehive bio

Adrian Centeno - Adrian’s New Play Exchange Profile
Adrian’s Beehive bio

Sandra A. Daley-Sharif - sandradaley.com
Sandra’s Beehive bio

Iyvon Edebiri - sparkedbyiyvon@gmail.com
Iyvon’s Beehive bio

Lewis Fender - fender.lewis@gmail.com
Lewis’s Beehive bio

Ali Keller - alikellerplaywright.com
Ali’s Beehive bio

James La Bella – jameslabella1@gmail.com
James’s Website

Sarah Rose Leonard - sarahroseleonard@gmail.com
Sarah’s LinkedIn Profile

Rachel Merrill Moss – rachelmerrillmoss@gmail.com
Rachel’s Website

Rose Oser - anagramrose@gmail.com
Rose’s Beehive bio

Jocelyn Prince - prince.jocelyn@gmail.com
Jocelyn’s Beehive bio

Phaedra Michelle Scott - phaedrascott.com
Phaedra’s Beehive bio

Aydan Shahd - Aydan’s LinkedIn Profile
Aydan’s Beehive bio

Lizzie Stern - lizziebstern@gmail.com
Lizzie’s Beehive bio

Playwrights Center - pwcenter.org/one-one-dramaturg

CONTACT US

If you are interested in working with us, let's start a conversation.