Writing Adaptations and Translations for the Stage: A Guide and Workbook for New and Experienced Writers PDF
Preview Writing Adaptations and Translations for the Stage: A Guide and Workbook for New and Experienced Writers
“In this book Allison Horsley and Jacqueline Goldfinger have skillfully managed to create a practical guide which makes the Herculean task of writing an adaptation seem accessible to all and uncomplicated, while still managing to retain its valuable service to seasoned playwrights. They also infuse a beautifully surprising humor and wit into the text that coaxes one into remaining in a creative space while using it as a guide. Moreover, their work in process for adaptations pays immense homage to the artistic soul of the playwright as storyteller, and not only the academic.” Amina Robinson, Award-Winning Performer- Director, Theatre Professor at Temple University “There is so much wisdom in this book – both the authors’ own pearls, gleaned from broad experience within the profession, and a trove of insights from a wonderfully diverse group of other notable artists grap- pling with the challenges and rewards of adaptation and translation. The whole is neatly organized, with important Big Principles clearly laid out and supported by practical exercises and words of wisdom, which should be an inspiration to the experienced as well as the novice. The book’s wel- coming tone encouragingly relieves the daunting pressure of undertaking a new adaptation or translation, and its principles are never presented as Dictums but rather as helpful guides, acknowledging always that there are many ways to skin the proverbial cat.” Michael Hollinger, Award-Winning Playwright- Adaptor-Translator, Theatre Professor at Villanova University “This book gives you courage to start writing and keep writing. It looks at adaptations from all angles, while prompting and nurturing your own unique approach. It’s for the novice, the experienced, the student, the pro- fessor, and everyone in between.” Elena Araoz, Director, Producing Artistic Director of Theater and Music Theater at Princeton University “This book provides excellent blueprints for anyone interested in theatrical adaptation. Having spent years adapting poetry, fiction, and non-fiction for the stage, in either academic or commercial settings, a guidebook like this would have been invaluable. I will most certainly keep it by my side from now on.” Jerrell L. Henderson, Director, Puppeteer, African American Theatre Archivist “This accessibly-written guide offers practical insights into translation and adaptation from a diverse group of leading practitioners. Envisioned as ‘a community toolbox,’ Writing Adaptations and Translations for the Stage provides real-world advice on creating theatrical work that speaks to the present moment. The authors and contributors deliver nuanced perspec- tives on the page-to-stage journey of a translation and/or adaptation, from the selection of source material to the rehearsal process. Annotated case studies, a summary of US copyright law, and a bibliography of recom- mended readings add useful resources. This book will be valuable to stu- dents learning the art of translation and adaptation and writers looking to enrich their craft.” Claudia Wilsch Case, Associate Professor of Theatre, Lehman College/CUNY “Candid and wise. This insightful book gets at the heart (or, a translator might say, soul) of the artistic process and will set playwrights and their collaborators up for success. Goldfinger and Horsley keenly understand that there’s no singular ‘right’ way to create an adaptation for the stage, but there are plenty of missteps they can help you avoid and many helpful exercises that will put you on a solid path. From respect for legacy, to ask- ing the right and difficult questions early on, this book homes in on both the practical and the passionate elements essential in doing this kind of work for the theatrical medium.” Jill Rafson, Producing Artistic Director, Classic Stage Company WRITING ADAPTATIONS AND TRANSLATIONS FOR THE STAGE Writing Adaptations and Translations for the Stage is a practical guide for writing adapted works for theatrical performance. Broadway translator and dramaturg Allison Horsley and award-winning playwright and educator Jacqueline Goldfinger take readers step-by-step through the brainstorming, writing, revision, and performance processes for translations and adaptations. The book includes lectures, case studies, writing exercises, and advice from top theater professionals on the process of creating, pitching, and producing adaptations and translations, covering a wide range of topics such as jukebox musicals, Shakespeare adaptations, plays from novels, theater for young adults, and theater in translation and using Indigenous language. Artists who share their wisdom in this book include: Des McAnuff (Tony Award), Emily Mann (Tony Award), Dominique Morisseau (Broadway Adaptor, Tony Award nominee, MacArthur Genius Fellow), Lisa Peterson (Obie Award, Lortel Award), Sarah Ruhl (Broadway Playwright, Tony Award nominee, Pulitzer Prize finalist, MacArthur Genius Fellow), and Tina Satter (Broadway Director, Obie Award, Guggenheim Fellowship). The book also features interviews with artists working both in the US and internationally, as well as guest columns from artists who work in less traditional adaptive forms, including cabaret, burlesque, opera, community-engaged process, and commercial theater. Writing Adaptations and Translations for the Stage is an essential resource for students and instructors of Dramatic Writing, Playwriting, and Creative Writing courses and for aspiring playwrights. Jacqueline Goldfinger is an award-winning playwright, dramaturg, and librettist who has adapted a wide variety of material for the stage, including Madeleine L’Engle’s classic A Wind in the Door for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She is also the author of Playwriting with Purpose (Routledge, 2021). She received her MFA from the University of Southern California. For more information, visit www .jacq uel ineg oldfinger .com. Allison Horsley is a Broadway dramaturg and translator who has also worked on US regional stages and internationally, including on the Broadway and West End hit Jersey Boys. She received her MFA from the Yale School of Drama. For more information, visit www .allisonhorsley .com. WRITING ADAPTATIONS AND TRANSLATIONS FOR THE STAGE A Guide and Workbook for New and Experienced Writers Jacqueline Goldfinger and Allison Horsley Cover image: Photo by Teresa Wood of Tyasia Velines as Progo. A Wind in the Door received its World Premiere at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, as a Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences commission, Washington DC, September 2–11 and November 1–21, 2021. The production was directed by Nicole A. Watson and featured Alicia Grace, David Landstrom, Vaughn Ryan Midder, Lynette Rathnam, and Tyasia Velines. Produced by Harry Poster. First published 2023 by Routledge 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158 and by Routledge 4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business © 2023 Jacqueline Goldfinger and Allison Horsley The right of Jacqueline Goldfinger and Allison Horsley to be identified as authors of this work has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Goldfinger, Jacqueline, author. | Horsley, Allison, author. Title: Writing adaptations and translations for the stage/Jacqueline Goldfinger and Allison Horsley. Description: New York: Routledge, 2022. | Includes index. Identifiers: LCCN 2022009531 (print) | LCCN 2022009532 (ebook) | ISBN 9781032056623 (hardback) | ISBN 9781032056616 (paperback) | ISBN 9781003198611 (ebook) Subjects: LCSH: Stage adaptations. | Translating and interpreting. | Theater–Production and direction. | Theater–Interviews. Classification: LCC PN2053 .G655 2022 (print) | LCC PN2053 (ebook) | DDC 809.2–dc23/eng/20220613 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022009531 LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022009532 ISBN: 978-1-032-05662-3 (hbk) ISBN: 978-1-032-05661-6 (pbk) ISBN: 978-1-003-19861-1 (ebk) DOI: 10.4324/9781003198611 Typeset in Classical Garamond and Myriad by Deanta Global Publishing Services, Chennai, India CONTENTS Special Thanks ix Prologue xi Contributors to this Book xiii How This Book Works xv 1 Brainstorming for Adaptation 1 Jacqueline Goldfinger 2 Writing an Adaptation 21 Jacqueline Goldfinger 3 Writing a Translation 43 Allison Horsley 4 Production 55 Jacqueline Goldfinger 5 Case Study: Adaptation, The Little Mermaid 65 Jacqueline Goldfinger 6 Case Study: Translation, The Cherry Orchard 101 Allison Horsley 7 Thoughts on Adaptation in Other Performative Modes 111 Index 127 SPECIAL THANKS Luc Beaudoin Ezra Goldfinger Hava Goldfinger Lawrence Goldfinger Harry Poster Polina Rikoun Alix Rosenfeld Alexander Zaslavsky & All of our contributors
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