dramaturgy

noun

dra·​ma·​tur·​gy ˈdra-mə-ˌtər-jē How to pronounce dramaturgy (audio)
ˈdrä-
: the art or technique of dramatic composition and theatrical representation
dramaturgic adjective
or dramaturgical
dramaturgically adverb

Examples of dramaturgy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The dramaturgy can get a little clunky, and the hair and makeup won’t be winning any Oscars. Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2024 Often, the Bard’s plays are shoehorned into a new time and place with little regard for coherent dramaturgy. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 2 Feb. 2024 The paper sounds a note of exhaustion with the Biden campaign’s heavy-handed dramaturgy. Noah Rothman, National Review, 3 Jan. 2024 The dramaturgy was meticulously developed with a focus on the transformation arc of the characters. Emiliano Granada, Variety, 14 Oct. 2023 In the new film, Hamaguchi boldly stands cinematic dramaturgy on its head, starting the film with an extended sequence of images that don’t tell much of a story and keep the audience guessing. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2023 In each of its productions, the theater draws connections between history and current social and political issues through lobby displays, program notes and dramaturgy. Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2023 The show’s original music is from Andrew T. Mackay with dramaturgy by Jack Bradley. Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 June 2023 This is daring dramaturgy, requiring the utmost in tonal control to keep it from tipping into righteous bathos. Jesse Green, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dramaturgy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

German Dramaturgie, from Greek dramatourgia dramatic composition, from dramat-, drama + -ourgia -urgy

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dramaturgy was in 1801

Dictionary Entries Near dramaturgy

Cite this Entry

“Dramaturgy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dramaturgy. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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