A dramaturg works with playwrights and/or artistic staff to help develop a play for production. If the playwright is alive, a dramaturg will often work directly with them during the development of a play, doing research or providing insight into a play's structure or plot. During the rehearsal process, dramaturgs may assist the director in researching a play's historical period or weighing in on why a character might be using a specific word. Dramaturgs may be on staff at larger theatres, or may be hired on a per-show contract basis. They often have a degree in playwriting or English, although some schools offer specialized degrees in dramaturgy.