Final answer:
A dramaturg is a valuable asset in theater, providing assistance through research and development, significantly affecting the quality of a production but is not strictly necessary. The role helps in enhancing the artistic vision and audience experience through collaboration with directors, actors, and playwrights.
Step-by-step explanation:
A dramaturg is a critical but often overlooked role in the theater. A dramaturg's work involves research, developing works with playwrights, and providing insights that directly impact the quality of the production. While not strictly necessary for a play to proceed, the expertise of a dramaturg can significantly change the overall quality of a theatrical production by bringing a deeper understanding of the script, historical context, and thematic coherence. This support can prove invaluable during the early stages and throughout the rehearsals and can shape the play to ensure the audience's experience is aligned with the artistic vision.
Established theatre companies usually have a resident dramaturg as part of their literary department to aid in this process, although smaller companies might operate without one. The absence of a dramaturg does not doom a production, but their presence can elevate it, acting as a bridge between the director, actors, playwright, and other production members to ensure the play's success both artistically and in terms of audience reception. The collaboration among dramaturgs, playwrights, actors, and directors can lead to a more nuanced and impactful performance.