Abigail Bender

Statement of purpose:

Science communication is not often a field associated with theatre, but I want to be the director that helps to lead that change.

Science communication is known as the practice of informing, educating, sharing wonder, and sharing awareness of science-related topics. While there is a push  to get better access to scientific material, studies are long, journals are hard to understand (especially if you aren’t an expert in the field), and scientists themselves don’t always have the proper training to be able to effectively communicate their ideas.

This is where I come in. 

I act as a bridge between the scientific community and the arts. Translating science jargon into a story arc for various audiences to enjoy.

While my science background is in biology, any science field or research can be adapted into a story. It is all about how you frame the information and from what point of view you want your audience to experience the work.

Directing Philosophy

Collaboration and dramaturgy. These two simple concepts are what I build my work on. 

As a director it is my job to communicate ideas with actors and an audience. This is where the idea of collaboration comes in and it all begins with the actors. Actors need to be able to feel comfortable in the space we work in order to share their ideas. I’m not a director whose word is law. I want the feedback and insight from my actors. They come in and look at the material differently than me and their viewpoint is valid. However, in my eyes, collaboration needs to extend beyond the walls of a rehearsal room if you want anything to be able to connect with an audience. To be successful, I need to know and understand where my audience is coming from in relation to the script.

One way to do this is working directly with the audience. I am a large supporter of talkbacks and discussions surrounding material that is presented for audiences. 

While collaboration is great, it is weak on its own. We are a team and need to be on the same page about what we are doing. This is where dramaturgy comes in. Specifically when working with plays about science, doing dramaturgical research is extremely important to fully understand the material you are working with. If I don’t understand the concepts in a work how do I expect my actors or even an audience to comprehend what is going on.

This is why I create resources. I create dramaturgy packets for my actors with the breakdown of information that is important for the script and characters. I also work to create resources for audience members who are interested to learn more on the topics presented in the script, usually in the form of a website.

I believe doing these things create a supportive and productive environment for everyone involved.

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Summary of Production Experience

I am currently a graduate student at Stony Brook University obtaining a masters in Science communication. I completed by bachelors at Beloit College earning a bachelors of science with a major in Biology and Theatre performance.

While I have been in school I have searched for and created my own directing opportunities.