Dramaturg Jane Barnette has put together an essential guide for theatre scholars and practitioners seeking to understand and participate in the process of adaptation for the stage. Employing the term "adapturgy"--her neologism for the art of adaptation dramaturgy--Barnette redefines the dramaturg's role and thoroughly refutes the commonplace point of view that adapted works are somehow less creative than "original" plays.

The dual nature of dramaturgy and adaptation as both process and product is reflected in the structure and organization of the book. Part 1 explores the ways that...