PLAYWRITING AND CREATIVE DEVELOPEMENT COURSE
External guidance for circus and performing arts creation processes
DRAMATURGY ACCOMPANIMENT
Dramaturgy is the study of drama and its tensions.
It observes what happens, what is not said, what is hidden beneath action, and what moves the scene.
Every work of art holds a secret it needs to reveal; dramaturgy accompanies the process of making it visible without stripping it of its mystery.
I accompany creation processes in circus and performing arts through a deep dramaturgical groundwork prior to stage creation.
PROCESS THAT BEGINS BEFORE THE STAGE
The accompaniment always starts with strong table work.
Before speaking about numbers, technique or scenes, we work on:
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what the project wants to say
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why it is necessary to create it
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where the creative urgency comes from
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and what kind of experience we want to provoke in the audience
Dramaturgy does not appear at the end to organise what has already been created, but at the beginning, to guide the entire process.
WORKING METHODOLOGY
The work is based on exercises of writing, reflection and analysis that allow the artist or company to:
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access their deeper imaginary
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identify real themes, dualities and obsessions
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define the universe of the project
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build a conscious dramatic structure
We work through:
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free writing and associations
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analysis of the theme and its contradictions
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definition of the protagonist, their desire and obstacles
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dramatic structure (beginning, middle, end)
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emotional tension and character evolution
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the relationship between what the character knows and what the audience knows
The methodology draws on classical dramaturgy (Aristotle) as a foundation, without imposing it as a closed form, allowing it to be consciously broken afterwards.
WHAT THIS ACCOMPANIMENT PROVIDES
This work allows you to:
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begin creation with a clear direction
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avoid long creative blocks in the rehearsal space
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make more coherent scenic decisions
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build a solid dossier from the outset
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sustain the project throughout its entire journey
It is not about “intellectualising” circus, but about giving it a skeleton that can support risk, the body and poetics.
HOW IT WORKS
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Format: online or in person
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Timing: before rehearsals begin (ideally)
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Duration: single sessions or ongoing accompaniment
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For: circus and performing arts artists and companies
The working framework is defined according to the needs of each project.
This accompaniment is intended for:
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artists in a creation phase
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companies starting a new project
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processes that need order, clarity and meaning
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projects that want to grow without losing their essence
Especially useful for those who feel they have material but no structure, or intuition but no direction.
WORKING MATERIALS
As support for the accompaniment, I share several dramaturgical tools that we will use throughout the process:
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Thinking the Scene · Dramaturgical Tools (PDF)
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Map of the Creative Process in Circus (PDF)
CONTACT
If you feel your show has something important to say and you need time to think it through before stepping onto the stage, let’s start at the table.
📩 albasarraute@gmail.com
📱 WhatsApp: +34 634 444 967
Link to the course delivered for the Zaragoza Circus Association (CARPA)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where can I find an online dramaturgy course?
This online dramaturgy course offers personalized mentoring to develop your own stage piece. It is designed for creators working in theatre, circus, dance, and contemporary performance who want to move forward with a real project.
Are there intensive dramaturgy courses in Spain?
Yes. In addition to the online format, there are intensive dramaturgy courses in Spain, offered as short, in-person programs focused on deep, practice-based creative processes.
Are there in-person dramaturgy courses in Barcelona?
Yes. In-person courses take place in Argentona (Barcelona) in an intensive format. These live workshops focus on body-based dramaturgy, visual composition, and collective creation.
How long does a professional dramaturgy course last?
The duration is flexible. In this course, mentoring continues until you complete your dramaturgy, adapting to the rhythm and needs of each project.
Does the dramaturgy course include live practice?
Yes. Alongside the online work, there is the option to join live dramaturgy workshops in Barcelona, where material is tested on stage and developed through the body and space.
Is this a dramaturgy master’s degree?
No. This is not an official master’s program. It is a professional dramaturgy training, aimed at artists seeking practical results and artistic mentoring rather than an academic approach.
Who is this dramaturgy course for?
The course is designed for artists and creators with prior experience in the performing arts who want to deepen their dramaturgical practice and advance a personal stage project.
What makes this dramaturgy course different from other dramaturgy courses?
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Individual mentoring
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Dramaturgy rooted in the body and lived experience
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Contemporary, practice-based approach
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Focused on completing stage works
Is this course only for circus artists?
No. While circus is part of the perspective, the course is open to all forms of visual dramaturgy, including theatre, dance, puppetry, performance, and contemporary stage creation.
The focus is on how meaning is built on stage, beyond text, through body, image, and action.
How can I apply or request more information?
For applications, in-person course dates, or format-related questions, please get in touch directly through the website.