Enhance Your Keynote or TEDx Talk: The Dramaturg Advantage
Are you ready to learn how to improve the content of your keynote or TEDx talk? You may not be a playwright, but you are a writer, and your speech can benefit greatly from working with a dramaturg. In this post, I’ll explain why and share three crucial questions you can ask yourself to enhance your content.
The Value of Another Pair of Eyes
All writers can benefit from an additional perspective. This second pair of eyes could be a director, a close friend, a co-worker, your coach, or even someone who knows nothing about your field. The key is to choose someone you trust. A dramaturg is an ideal choice because they are critical thinkers who analyze texts, ask probing questions, and bridge the gap between what’s on the page and what the writer aims to communicate. They act as translators, diplomats, and sometimes even mob bosses, helping you cut out the unnecessary parts that you might be too attached to.
The Dramaturg Process
In my process, I always read the script for the first time purely for pleasure. This allows me to enjoy the material without preconceived notions. After this initial read, I switch to my script analysis mode and put on my dramaturg hat to get to work.
When directing shows with writers present, I get to ask specific questions and understand their vision directly. This interaction is invaluable and involves asking hard questions, which you should also ask yourself:
- Why are you saying this?
- Why is this happening now?
- Why is this part like this in terms of how it makes the audience feel?
Real-World Example
I recently worked with a playwright who had been writing a piece for five years. In one scene, an angel and a recently deceased woman stood in front of two doors, with the angel trying to convince the woman to go through one of them. I asked, “Where does the other door lead?” He didn’t know. This highlights the importance of understanding the purpose behind every element in your script.
The Right Collaborator
It’s crucial to work with someone who is both rigorously curious and generously honest. A person who can help you set your writer ego aside will significantly improve your talk. Your content will benefit from a dramaturg who acts as a translator to clarify your message, a diplomat to present both sides of what you’re communicating, and a mob boss to enforce necessary edits.
Conclusion
Your keynote or TEDx talk will be stronger if you engage with a dramaturg. They help clarify your message, ensure balanced communication, and enforce critical editing.
