L. Catherine Stewart
Dramaturg - Editor
ABOUT
Catherine is a dramaturg, theatre-maker, writer, and editor. She holds a master's in Theater History and Criticism from Brooklyn College, and has completed the certificate program in Copyediting from University of California San Diego Extended Studies.
Current projects include copyediting webnovels and short stories, proofreading and beta-reading for self- and trad-pub authors, and writing about three or four WIPs depending on how you count. You can often find her reading a book, doing weird craft projects, or seeing if the weather is nice enough for a walk in the park.
She is originally from the American Southwest, and has resided in Western Washington State, London, New York City, and is currently based in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley.
PRODUCTION DRAMATURGY
Andrew Tung as Connie Rivers (photo by Lauren Rogers Parker)
Kenn Hopkins Jr. as Pa Joad (photo by Lauren Rogers Parker)
Andrew Tung as Connie Rivers (photo by Lauren Rogers Parker)
The Grapes of Wrath
adapted for stage by Frank Galati
from the novel by John Steinbeck
Dir. José Zayas
September 5, 2019 - March 2020
American Shakespeare Center - Tour and Spring Seasons
In consultation with the Literary Manager and the Director, I provided a dramaturgical resource, rehearsal room support, some script management, and some additional research as requested. The dramaturgical resource was made available in two versions: a limited-frills document, and a media-rich website.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
by William Shakespeare
Dir. Nathan Winkelstein
July 10, 2019 - March 2020
American Shakespeare Center - Summer, Tour, and Spring Seasons
This production is presented in two versions, a full-length and a 90-minute cut. In consultation with the Literary Manager and the Director, I provided a dramaturgical packet, rehearsal room support, some script management, and some additional research as requested.
Madeline Calais as Puck (photo by Lauren Rogers Parker)
Andrew Tung as Lysander, Sara Linares as Hermia, Mia Wurgaft as Helena, and Michael Moret as Demetrius (photo by Lauren Rogers Parker)
Madeline Calais as Puck (photo by Lauren Rogers Parker)
John Harrell as Brutus (photo by Lindsey Walters)
Brandon Carter as Cassius (photo by Lindsey Walters)
John Harrell as Brutus (photo by Lindsey Walters)
Zoe Speas as Cleopatra and Geoffrey Kent as Antony (photo by Lindsey Walters)
Constance Swain as Charmian and Zoe Speas as Cleopatra (photo by Lindsey Walters)
Chris Johnston as Enobarbus (photo by Lindsey Walters)
Zoe Speas as Cleopatra and Geoffrey Kent as Antony (photo by Lindsey Walters)
Constance Swain as Cleopatra (photo by Lauren Rogers Parker)
David Anthony Lewis as Caesar and Constance Swain as Cleopatra (photo by Lauren Rogers Parker)
Constance Swain as Cleopatra (photo by Lauren Rogers Parker)
American Shakespeare Center - Summer and Fall Seasons
Julius Caesar
by William Shakespeare
Dir. Ethan McSweeny
June 25 - November 30, 2019
Antony and Cleopatra
by William Shakespeare
Dir. Sharon Ott
June 26 - November 30, 2019
Caesar and Cleopatra
by George Bernard Shaw
Dir. Eric Tucker
August 8 - November 29, 2019
These three productions, though all very distinct in tone and presentation, share a repertory cast as well as historical eras, locations, and figures. Under the guidance of the Literary Manager, I outlined, sourced, researched, and collaborated with my counterpart Literary Fellow to provide a single dramaturgical resource to support the season – it was an enormous undertaking and served as a reference during all three production processes. As a Literary team, we also provided support in the rehearsal rooms, and a significant amount of additional research as requested.
16 Winters, or the Bear's Tale
by Mary Elizabeth Hamilton
Dir. Amanda McRaven
May 1 - June 8, 2019
American Shakespeare Center - Spring Season
On this world premiere production, I assisted the Literary Manager by providing a dramaturgical packet for the cast and crew, rehearsal room support, and daily script management.
Topher Embrey as The Bear/Time (photo by Lindsey Walters)
Topher Embrey as The Bear/Time (photo by Lindsey Walters)
Jimmy Morgan as Bottlenicky, Lorenzo Cromwell as DomCan, Renee Rises as Young Lady, Angela Auguste as Pebbles, Johnathan Dougan as Loudmouth, and Maria Kim as Yeah Nah
Renee Rises as Young Lady and Lorenzo Cromwell as DomCan
Kaila Saunders as Valeria and Lorenzo Cromwell as DomCan
Jimmy Morgan as Bottlenicky, Lorenzo Cromwell as DomCan, Renee Rises as Young Lady, Angela Auguste as Pebbles, Johnathan Dougan as Loudmouth, and Maria Kim as Yeah Nah
40s & Chestnuts
by Ben Gassman
Dir. Tara Elliott
April 28 - May 3, 2017
New Workshop Theatre, Brooklyn College
For this production, I created a website resource and a research packet. Some of the music research I provided on the website was used in rehearsal for ensemble-building activities, and was incorporated into the sound design for the scene transitions as well. I also included blog entries for questions asked during the rehearsal process. Screenshots of the website are below.
Marie Antoinette
by David Adjmi
Dir. Joshua Chase Gold
December 8-12, 2016
New Workshop Theatre, Brooklyn College
Per the director's request, I provided a research packet for the cast as well as a lobby display for the audience. The packet was a product of extensive historical research of revolutionary France, and in the lobby display I used photocopies of documents and images from the time period. Screenshots of the packet and a short gif featuring part of the lobby display are below.
Schann Mobley as Marie, Ally Callaghan as Lamballe, and Rhiannon Guifoyle as Polignac
Schann Mobley as Marie, Ally Callaghan as Lamballe, and Rhiannon Guifoyle as Polignac
Schann Mobley as Marie
Schann Mobley as Marie, Ally Callaghan as Lamballe, and Rhiannon Guifoyle as Polignac
RESUME
Production Dramaturgy and New Play Development
2021 Script Reviewer - TNT POPS! New Play Project 2022 - Texas Nonprofit Theatres
2020 Script Reviewer - 43rd Bay Area Playwrights Festival - Playwrights Foundation
2019 Script Reviewer (In-House) - Shakespeare's New Contemporaries - American Shakespeare Center
2019 Assistant Dramaturg - The Grapes of Wrath, Dir. José Zayas - American Shakespeare Center
2019 Assistant Dramaturg - A Midsummer Night's Dream, Dir. Nathan Winkelstein - American Shakespeare Center
2019 Assistant Dramaturg - Caesar and Cleopatra, Dir. Eric Tucker - American Shakespeare Center
2019 Assistant Dramaturg - Antony and Cleopatra, Dir. Sharon Ott - American Shakespeare Center
2019 Assistant Dramaturg - Julius Caesar, Dir. Ethan McSweeny - American Shakespeare Center
2019 Assistant Dramaturg - 16 Winters, or the Bear's Tale, Dir. Amanda McRaven - American Shakespeare Center
2019 Research & Script Assistant - Anne Page Hates Fun, Dir. Stephanie Holladay Earl - American Shakespeare Center
2018 Script Reviewer - NewPlayFest 2018 - American Association of Community Theatre
2017 Script Reviewer - TNT POPS! New Play Project 2018 - Texas Nonprofit Theatres
2017 Production Dramaturg - 40s & Chestnuts, Dir. Tara Elliott - New Workshop Theatre, Brooklyn College
2016 Production Dramaturg - Marie Antoinette, Dir. Joshua Chase Gold - New Workshop Theatre, Brooklyn College
Education and Training
2023 Copyediting Certificate Program, University of California San Diego Extended Studies, San Diego, CA
2019 Literary Fellow and Assistant Dramaturg, American Shakespeare Center - Staunton, VA
2017 Master of Arts in Theater History and Criticism, Brooklyn College - Brooklyn, NY
2017 Comparative Drama Conference, presented "The Dramatic Archetype of the Jacobean Witch"- Orlando, FL
2016 World Shakespeare Congress, attending delegate - Stratford-upon-Avon and London, UK
2015 "A Dramaturg Walks Into a Room" Play Development Workshop w/ Helen Helinski - Brooklyn, NY
2013 Bachelor of Arts with focus in Literature and Theater, Evergreen State College - Olympia, WA
2013 "Shakespeare in London" Study Abroad Individual Study, Evergreen State College - London/Olympia, WA
Theatre-Making and Adjacent
2016-19 Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Performing Arts Workforce, Research Assistant - Brooklyn, NY
2014-15 OlyCLAW, stage management and member of Production Committee - Olympia, WA
2013-15 BigShowCity Productions, house management - Olympia, WA
2011-14 House of Hello Productions, production assistance - Olympia, WA
2010-12 Washington Center for the Performing Arts, house management and box office - Olympia, WA
CONTACT
Please reach out if you have any questions, requests, or project ideas.
I am always looking for new ways to collaborate,
so please feel free to contact me via the form below.