Ever wonder what a dramaturg brings to a production? "Reggie Hoops" dramaturg Wesley Tipton is a junior at Syracuse University studying theatre management, writing, and dramaturgy. Profile Theatre was lucky to be able to engage Tipton's research skill through her internship in artistic direction with "Reggie Hoops" director Melissa Crespo. In this episode, Tipton shares some of the same insights into the historical context surrounding "Reggie Hoops" that she shared with the actors and creative team to guide them to a deeper understanding of the character's circumstances.

"Reggie Hoops" director Melissa Crespo on growing up splitting her time between suburban Connecticut and the lively, diverse boroughs of New York; her life-long relationship with hip hop culture, and why she considers "Reggie Hoops" the next great family drama.

In 2016, when playwright Kristoffer Diaz was first writing "Reggie Hoops" for a group of M.F.A. actors, he imagined they would perform this story - the story of an exceptionally qualified woman leader in a field overwhelmingly dominated by men - in a world where the U.S. was celebrating having elected its first woman as president. Eight years and a handful of workshops (and life-altering career opportunities) later, Diaz reflects on the show’s evolution and imminent Portland debut.