Robin Goldberg
Playwright, Screenwriter & Dramaturg
Bio
Hi! I'm Robin! I'm a playwright, screenwriter, dramaturg, and educator originally from the Boston area. I received my BA from Emerson College, and my Dramatic Writing MFA from Carnegie Mellon University. My work has been produced and recognized by theatre companies, universities, and arts organizations around the country. I'm also a proud member of the Dramatists Guild of America and LMDA.
I'm a comedy writer who believes we can process the Really Big Stuff best with humor and heart. I especially enjoy writing female-led ensemble comedies that follow the lives of eccentric, tight-knit communities. What drives my work is exploring the many ways we build community with others and how we can build homes inside of ourselves.
As a dramaturg, I've supported the new play development initiatives at theatre organizations in Boston, New York, Waterford, CT, Kansas City, MO, and San Francisco. I currently teach playwriting and dramaturgy at Point Park University and playwriting and screenwriting at Tzohar Seminary in Pittsburgh.
Dramaturgy
I have 15 years of dramaturgical experience, with a special interest in new play development. My dramaturgical work includes production dramaturgy for both new and established plays, and script coverage and literary support for theatre companies and arts organizations around the country, including:
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SpeakEasy Stage Company, Company One Theatre, and Fresh Ink Theatre Company (Boston)
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Dramatists Guild Foundation, Jewish Plays Project, Davenport Theatrical Enterprises, and The Dennis & Victoria Ross Foundation (NYC)
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Eugene O'Neill Theater Center (Waterford, CT)
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Unicorn Theatre (Kansas City, MO)
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Playwrights Foundation (San Francisco)
I'm excited to offer my skills and experience to playwrights looking for dramaturgical support for their works in progress, and theatre companies and organizations looking for production-specific work. (Pricing guidelines available upon request.)
Gallery
On My Honor
Emerson College
Boston, MA
Cast:
Kathy Dorn, Kelly Downes, Allison Paige Gilman, Codie Higer,
Jagger Kugler, Lily Richards, Carrie Shannon, Blake Vesey,
Jade Zaroff
Director: Joe Antoun
Scenic: Corey Umlauf
Costume: Annie Loppert
Sound: Charles Trombadore
Dramaturgs:
Bonnie Atterstrom & Zack Mooney
Stage Manager:
Matthew Nadler
Photos:
Craig Bailey
Perspective Photo
Post Malone Has Food Poisoning: A Late-Night Cooking Segment
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA
Cast:
Matty Palmer
Nana Wise
Director:
Seth Coppens
Stage Manager:
Carly Tamborello
Media & Production:
Lilian Kim
Photos:
Hailey Garza
Hailey Garza Design
Resume
Education
CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY, Pittsburgh, PA
MFA Dramatic Writing
Received May 2024
EMERSON COLLEGE, Boston, MA
BA Theatre Studies: Playwriting and Dramaturgy concentration, Creative Writing minor
Received May 2015 – Magna Cum Laude
Professional Experience
POINT PARK UNIVERSITY, Pittsburgh, PA August 2024 - Present
Adjunct Professor, Conservatory of Performing Arts
I teach playwriting, dramaturgy, and script analysis classes to undergraduate Theatre Arts students. These classes focus on practical writing, research, and analytical skills, culminating in the writing and development of short plays and dramaturgical portfolios.
TZOHAR SEMINARY, Pittsburgh, PA September 2024 - Present
Instructor
I teach playwriting and screenwriting to students as part of their year-long seminary program. Students learn the building blocks of writing for stage and screen, character development, and dramatic structure, working towards developing scripts for short plays and screenplays.
DRAMATURG December 2008 - Present
I provide in-depth research for the full scope of professional and creative projects, and write and develop research materials for all involved. These materials often include research packets, online and print articles, and artist interviews. I work to present my research clearly with the goal of accessibility for all. I support writers directly, tracking script changes, offering research support, and providing coverage. I have also contributed to the new work development initiatives of seven theatre companies and arts organizations in Boston, New York, Kansas City, MO, and San Francisco.
ARTSEMERSON, Boston, MA September 2011 - Present
Audience Services, Management Staff
I worked directly with community and company members, managed employees across a range of ages and experience levels, and oversaw multiple performance venues. I worked on an administrative level to ensure communication between multiple departments (Artistic, Executive, Operations, Marketing, and Sales), and to support the company’s programming and mission.
HUNTINGTON THEATRE COMPANY, Boston, MA September 2015 - Present
Audience Services
I trained staff, coordinated community volunteers, and supported specialty programming and services for students, elderly patrons, and patrons with disabilities.
COMPANY ONE THEATRE, Boston, MA January 2016 - September 2016
Management Fellow
I directly supported the Management Director with grant writing and research, scheduling, transcribing meeting notes, data input, communication with board members, and maintaining phone and email correspondence. I also collaborated with the company's Programming Committee on script coverage and season planning, and offered support for season casting calls.
SPEAKEASY STAGE COMPANY, Boston, MA September 2014 - January 2015
Arts Administration Intern
I offered administrative support for executive-level staff across multiple creative and production departments, including Artistic, Marketing, and Development. I copyedited and contributed additional content to dramaturgical, press, and educational materials, and assisted with audience communication, both in person and online. I also supported the company's Literary department with script coverage, research, and season planning.
Literary Experience
For each theatre company and arts organization, I evaluated scripts, prepared reader’s reports, and recommended plays for further development and/or production opportunities.
DRAMATISTS GUILD FOUNDATION, New York, NY Spring 2023 - Ongoing
Script Reader - National Fellows Program, Playwriting
JEWISH PLAYS PROJECT, New York, NY Spring 2023 - Ongoing
Script Reader - Jewish Playwriting Contest
EUGENE O'NEILL THEATER CENTER, Waterford, CT October 2023 - December 2023
Script Reader - National Playwrights Conference
PLAYWRIGHTS FOUNDATION, San Francisco, CA October 2020 - February 2021
Script Reader - Bay Area Playwrights Festival
UNICORN THEATRE, Kansas City, MO June 2018 - December 2018
Script Reader - In-Progress New Play Reading Series
DAVENPORT THEATRICAL ENTERPRISES, New York, NY November 2017 - March 2018
Script Reader
THE DENNIS & VICTORIA ROSS FOUNDATION, New York, NY July 2016 - August 2016
Script Reader - Emerging Playwrights Program
FRESH INK THEATRE COMPANY, Boston, MA Winter 2013 & 2014
Script Reader
Related Training
PLAYWRIGHTS HORIZONS, New York, NY April 2020 - December 2020
Perspectives On Playwriting Master Class Series
The POP Master Class Series offered a series of online classes taught by highly produced playwrights and theatre artists on subjects ranging from how to build a life as a working artist to self-producing and advocating for your own work. Artists ran writing workshops and shared tips for organizing your time and cultivating your voice. Classes were taught by Will Arbery, Clare Barron, Michael R. Jackson, Larissa FastHorse, Aleshea Harris, Raja Feather Kelly, Jaclyn Backhaus, Heather Christian, and Craig Lucas.
THE DRAMATISTS GUILD INSTITUTE, New York, NY September 2020 - October 2020
Writing the Web Series (Instructor: TJ Young)
Offered through the Dramatists Guild of America, this class was geared toward screenwriting for web series. We focused on script structure and character development as we worked on original pilots, pitches, and show bibles. We workshopped each other's drafts and discussed distribution and fundraising methods, as well as potential future production plans.
DAVENPORT THEATRICAL ENTERPRISES, New York, NY June 2018 - May 2019
Professional Writers Group (Moderator: Amanda Yesnowitz)
As part of a year-long, online professional writing group focused on new work development and connectivity for working playwrights, I developed and workshopped my play Katie and Dom Are Friends, and offered feedback and support for my colleagues' projects.
WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA, EAST, New York, NY Spring 2014 WGAE Foundation Playwriting Mentorship (Mentor: Melissa Ross)
Writers Guild of America, East's Foundation matched student writers with industry professional mentors to offer support and guidance. Meeting online, playwright Melissa Ross offered feedback as I rewrote and workshopped my play On My Honor, and helpful advice about navigating the professional theatre industry.
Awards and Honors
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2024 The Bechdel Group's Fall Workshop Series Selection - Ask Three Times
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2024 Jewish Plays Project National Jewish Playwriting Contest Semifinalist - Ask Three Times
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2024 Boston Playwrights' Theatre's Boston Theater Marathon Official Selection - Parking Lot
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2023 Princess Grace Award in Playwriting Semifinalist - Tall Spire
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2023 Theater Masters Take Ten Finalist - Parking Lot
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2022 SheNYC Arts Summer Theatre Festival Semifinalist - The Peppy Eight
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2021 Company One Theatre PlayLab Circuit Volt Lab Finalist
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2020 Playwrights Foundation Bay Area Playwrights Festival Semifinalist - Katie and Dom...
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2020 SheNYC Arts Summer Theater Festival Semifinalist - Katie and Dom Are Friends
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2019 B Street Theatre New Comedies Festival Semifinalist – On My Honor
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2017 SheNYC Arts Summer Theater Festival Finalist – On My Honor
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2015 Rod Parker Playwriting Fellowship – On My Honor (full production with Emerson Stage)
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2014 Emerson College EVVY Award for Outstanding Prose – Nonfiction (“Blue Jay”)
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2014 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region 1 – Dramaturgy Program Note Regional Award (Big Love – Emerson Stage)
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2013-2014 Writers Guild of America, East Foundation Online Mentoring Program – Playwriting Mentorship (Mentor: Melissa Ross)
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2013-2014 Emerson College Board of Overseers Mentor Program – Year-long Mentorship
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2011-2015 Consistent Dean’s List Recipient - Emerson College
Related Skills
Dramaturgy, self-production (theatre), box office and front of house, customer service, staff management, arts administration, Tessitura database management.
Contact
For script inquiries, dramaturgical services, and more:
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