Robin Goldberg
Playwright, Dramaturg & Literary Management Professional
Bio
Hi! I'm Robin! I'm a playwright, screenwriter, dramaturg, and literary management professional originally from the Boston area. I received my BA from Emerson College, and I'm currently a Dramatic Writing MFA candidate at Carnegie Mellon University (2024). My work has been recognized by theatre companies and organizations around the country.
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 of ten theatre companies in Boston, New York, Kansas City, MO, and San Francisco. I also have experience in many other areas of the theatre industry, from creative and production to audience services and business administration. I'm interested in all forms of creative and nonfiction writing, and the entertainment, educational, and nonprofit industries.
Dramaturgy
I have nearly 15 years of dramaturgical experience, with a special interest in new play dramaturgy and literary management. I have experience with production dramaturgy for both new and established plays, and writing and creating research content for actors, designers, and audiences. I was nominated twice for Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival dramaturgy awards, and won the 2014 Program Note award for Division 1 (Big Love - Emerson Stage). I have offered script coverage and support for the new work development initiatives of SpeakEasy Stage Company, Company One Theatre, and Fresh Ink Theatre Company (Boston), Davenport Theatrical Enterprises and The Dennis & Victoria Ross Foundation (NYC), Unicorn Theatre (Kansas City, MO), and 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 or organizations looking for production-specific work.
Services include:
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Script coverage and analysis
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Notes, comments, and suggestions included
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Email or phone/video discussion sessions depending on need and availability
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Production dramaturgy
- Annotated scripts, research packets
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Marketing, website/blog, and social media content
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Production program notes and related articles
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Actor, director, designer interviews
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Audience presentations and moderated audience discussions
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Pricing guidelines are available upon request. Script reading will be charged by script. Production dramaturgy will be charged based upon duration of the project/partnership.
Gallery
On My Honor
NewFest 2015
Emerson Stage
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 Design:
Corey Umlauf
Costume Design:
Annie Loppert
Lighting Design:
Nicholas Hatcher
Sound Design:
Charles Trombadore
Dramaturgs:
Bonnie Atterstrom & Zack Mooney
Stage Manager:
Matthew Nadler
Photos:
Craig Bailey/Perspective Photo
Resume
Education
CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY, Pittsburgh, PA
MFA Dramatic Writing Candidate
(Expected 2024)
EMERSON COLLEGE, Boston, MA
BA Theatre Studies: Playwriting and Dramaturgy concentration, Creative Writing minor
Received May 2015 – Magna Cum Laude
Professional Experience
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
PLAYWRIGHTS FOUNDATION, San Francisco, CA October 2020 - February 2021
Script Reader
I provided script coverage for the company's Bay Area Playwrights Festival: evaluated scripts, prepared reader’s reports, and recommended plays for further development opportunities.
UNICORN THEATRE, Kansas City, MO June 2018 - December 2018
Script Reader
I provided script coverage for the company's In-Progress New Play Reading Series: evaluated scripts, prepared reader’s reports, and recommended plays for further development opportunities.
DAVENPORT THEATRICAL ENTERPRISES, New York, NY November 2017 - March 2018
Script Reader
I provided script coverage for a Broadway production company: evaluated scripts, prepared reader’s reports, and recommended plays and musicals for further production consideration.
THE DENNIS & VICTORIA ROSS FOUNDATION, New York, NY July 2016 - August 2016
Script Reader
I provided script coverage for the organization's 2016 Emerging Playwrights Program: evaluated scripts, prepared reader’s reports, and recommended plays for further development opportunities.
FRESH INK THEATRE COMPANY, Boston, MA Winter 2013 & 2014
Script Reader
I provided script coverage for the company's new work initiatives: evaluated scripts, prepared reader’s reports, and recommended plays for consideration for future readings or productions.
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 Parker-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 Boston Playwrights' Theatre's Boston Theater Marathon 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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Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival 2014 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
Related Skills
Mac and PC proficient; proficient in Google Drive, Microsoft 365, and Adobe Acrobat; proficient in the use of most social media platforms and Wix; intermediate Tessitura experience
Contact
For script inquiries, dramaturgical services, and more:
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Find me on New Play Exchange, too!