Ken Cerneglia (Hadestown, Newsies, Peter and the Starcatcher, LMDA) has worked pretty much everywhere and is now bringing his expertise to the Digital Development Project. In the kick-off workshop for the 2026 Performance in Obit Workshop Series, Ken will teach participants one of a working dramaturg's most important skills--relationship-building. In this 90-minute session, Ken guides attendees through the steps of interpersonal relations as a dramaturg considering the artists, the audiences, and the administrative teams.

Ken can speak on it all; he has been the dramaturgical center of many of Broadway’s exciting new works in the 21st century, including Hadestown, Newsies, Peter and the Starcatcher, and the forthcoming Basura. He was Literary Manager and Dramaturg at Disney Theatrical, as well as working for venues such as Theatre Calgary (Canada), and Alliance Theatre (USA). 

Participants can expect recounts of real-life experiences, tangible tips, and a short question-and-answer period. 

About the Presenter

Ken Cerniglia is a veteran dramaturg, writer, creative executive, and organizational leader. His dramaturgy is currently represented on Broadway in Hadestown (2019) and Aladdin (2013). During 16 years as dramaturg and literary manager at Disney Theatrical, he developed over 70 titles for Broadway, touring, international, and licensed productions, including Peter and the Starcatcher, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Freaky Friday, Newsies, The Little Mermaid, High School Musical, and Tarzan. Upcoming: Basura by Karen Zacarías and Gloria & Emily Estefan at the Alliance Theatre. Ken is board co-chair and a past president of Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas (LMDA) and is a graduate of UC San Diego, Catholic University, and the University of Washington, where he earned a Ph.D. in theatre history and criticism.