Investigating Dramaturgy : Observing the Rehearsal Process of Mellanförskapet at Unga Dramaten

Abstract: I have for as long as I can remember been interested and fascinated by theatre performances and their ability to create meaning, significance and understanding towards their audience. This has later on turned into a growing interest and curiosity for the rehearsal process, as it is within the rehearsals the meaning-making aspects of a performance are both created and produced. Moreover has this curiosity generated to be a somewhat basis for this research.  Through a lens of dramaturgy is this study seeking to investigate how meaning, significance and narrative are created and established within a rehearsal process, namely the rehearsal process of Mellanförskapet at Unga Dramaten. Explore the in-between-ness of the rehearsal process in relation to the upcoming theatrical event and moreover focus on the dramaturgical strategies within the rehearsal. By engaging with autoethnographic methods for observing the rehearsals, is the aim of this study to investigate how meaning making practices within the theatre can be understood in the eye of an observer. Semi-structured interviews with the creative team have further on contributed to additional knowledge and valuable information about the rehearsal process in general. Moreover serves the concept of making meaning as a basis for the theoretical framework, discussed in relation to meaning making practices within the theatre, namely dramaturgy and performative actions. Since Mellanförskapet aims toward teenagers as its primary audience, are aspects of theatre for a younger audience [TYA] discussed in relation to dramaturgical strategies within the rehearsal process. Moreover are themes and topics raised within Mellanförskapet such as intercultural identity, racism and bullying discussed in regards to TYA as well as dramaturgical strategies within the rehearsal process.