From Page to Stage: The Dramaturgy Behind "The Three Musketeers"

The Three Musketeers is set in a time far removed from our own, -- sixteenth century France, to be exact. The director, designers, and actors must all be aware of how things were back then in order to make the stage experience as authentic as possible.

Some actors and designers do their own research, but sometimes a dramaturg is brought in to assist with this process. Dramaturgs are highly valued for their research skills; they are the considered resident experts on the social, political, and historical backgrounds of the play. They are also tasked with researching any detail that is important, no matter how small it might seem, ranging from a particular tune that is referenced by a character, or an allusion to literature, mythology, art, and so on. In some cases, dramaturgs in professional theaters may work closely with a playwright to develop new or readapted work. Sometimes they are even responsible for translating entire plays from another language.

Although the script for The Three Musketeers had already been translated into English, the playwright included a number of French words and phrases which made it necessary to create a pronunciation guide for the actors. University of Michigan-Dearborn French professor Gabriella Eschrich was kind enough to offer her services as a language consultant. The goal was to have the actors say the words correctly, even though they may not be French speakers themselves.

Finally, a dramaturg may be asked to create a visual display of the research he or she has done, which both publicizes the show and allows the audience to become familiar with the world they are about to see enacted onstage. When Wayne State University did their production of the musical Ragtime, their display highlighted prominent historical figures from American history, who appeared as characters in the show. A display which gives the history pertaining to The Three Musketeers will be featured in the lobby of the Mackenzie Fine Arts Center on the HFCC campus once it gets closer to showtime. Be sure and come check it out – as well as the production itself – when the curtain rises in April 3. 

For tickets, call (313) 845-9817 or visit theatre.hfcc.edu and click on the "Buy Tickets" link.