Acting Commons^™

Phaedra: The Influence And History Of A Dramaturgical Mystery, Kierstan K. Conway

The Downtown Review

Many have debated the possible performance of Seneca's plays. Theatre Historians have polarizing opinions on whether Seneca wrote them intending to perform for Roman Audiences. A comparative study of Euripides' Hippolyte, Seneca's Phaedra, and Sara Kane's Phaedra's Love demonstrates the flexibility of this story and its translation to different historical audiences. This further historical analysis illuminates clues within Seneca's text and proves the possibility of staging, offering a new take on plays previously thought of as "closet dramas."

Macbeth Poster, Providence College

Playbill and Production

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Angell Blackfriars Theatre

William Shakespeare's MacBeth

November 3-6, 2022

Macbeth Playbill, Providence College

Playbill and Production

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Angell Blackfriars Theatre

William Shakespeare's MacBeth

November 3-6, 2022

Director, John Garrity

Scenic Design, Carl Gudenius

Lighting Design, Michael Clark Wonson

Sound Design, Gabriel Luxton

Vocal Coach, Megan Chang

Costume Design, David Costa-Cabral

Fight Choreography, Jim Beauregard

Composer, Devon Russo,

Acting Coach, Michael Propster

Cast: Captain, Murderer, Young Soldier - Andy Belotte; Ross - Olivia Black, Donalbain, Doctor - Carolyn Bradley; Lady Macbeth - Kelsi Canada; Apparition 1 - Emmett Elliott; Fleance - Xavier Joseph; Weird Sister 2 - Abbie Joy; Apparition 3 …

Examining The Linguistic Ideology "Throaty Sounds Are Bad For Performers": The History Of Negative Attitudes Towards Glottal Stops And Laryngealization In English, Dayle M. Towarnicky

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This thesis analyzes explicit metadiscourse (Johnstone et al 2006) on throaty sounds, primarily focused on glottal segments and non-modal constricted voice quality in English. Authors contributing to this metadiscourse are argued to be an offshoot of the speech chain network which valorized and circulated the English accent known as RP or Received Pronunciation, studied by Agha (2003). The evaluated texts center on English-speaking elocution, singing training, voice, speech, and voice care. The analysis shows glottal and guttural articulations are framed negatively and often discouraged by appeals to both health and aesthetics. Many authors in this performance speech chain network …

A Script And Acting Analysis Of David Mamet’S Glengarry Glen Ross, Abdelrahman Metwally

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Glengarry Glen Ross is a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by David Mamet. This paper is a practical guide for the actor to understanding the events of the play and, specifically, to approaching the role of Richard Roma, with a particular emphasis on Michael Chekhov’s psycho-physical work. First, I will discuss the circumstances, values and themes of the world of the play in relation to the character Shelley Levene as the main agent of the events. Then my focus in character analysis will shift to Richard Roma as the lead character of the ensemble. Together, the two characters create a contrasting duo …

Unifying Text And Music: Applying Shurtleff's Twelve Guideposts To Operatic Arias For Soprano, Jamey J. Wright

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In the present culture of operatic performance, artistry is measured not only by singers’ musical interpretation and vocal technique, but also by their ability to communicate compelling characterization. This monograph explores a helpful technique for dramatic interpretation in opera. The discipline of musical performance provides helpful guides to characterization through elements such phrasing, rhythm, harmony, and instrumentation. Techniques borrowed from the spoken theater, particularly those pioneered by Constantin Stanislavski, include the Magic If, objectives, actions, and tactics. The literature on auditioning for the theater is useful for synthesizing these techniques for singers, because audition techniques emphasize compelling characterization with …

"My Two Ears Can Witness": Feminist Pedagogy From Rehearsal Hall To Classroom, Ben Long, Noah Long, Laura Grace Godwin

Feminist Pedagogy

Given that university rehearsal halls are a natural home for feminist pedagogy, this paper addresses professors across campus under the contention that the signature pedagogy of theatre offers a model for faculty in other disciplines. The essay adapts a series of rehearsal hall techniques for traditional classrooms as efficient ways of fostering subjectivity, empowerment, community, and reflection in service of socio-cultural ends. The original teaching activities outlined herein do not require theatrical performance, but they nevertheless draw upon the power of live witnessing and interactive response that make theatre a powerful pedagogical tool. The authors conclude with an illustration of …

Finding My Place In The Piazza: An Exploration Of Learning And Performing A Lead Role During A Pandemic, Emma Johnson

Honors Theses

The following thesis is a reflection of one student’s process as she learns a lead role in a musical amidst a global pandemic. The author begins with why she chose to be a performer and what has led her to this moment. She examines how significantly the pandemic has affected the performing arts job sector. The author explores her first exposure to the musical “The Light in the Piazza” and the role of Clara in a scenes program at the university which took place in the spring semester of 2021. The thesis then follows her journey through the abnormal virtual …

Reclamation: The Crown Of African American Identity, Lindsey Kellogg

English MA Theses

African American voices have been the main sources of influence on society and culture. For this reason, it is important that African Americans speak up and reclaim their voices. Not only are their voices important, but the stories that lie behind the voices are what need to be amplified. With the application of postcolonial theory, this thesis takes modern stories located in North America depicting racist behavior towards African Americans from the year 1970 to present-day New York City in order to fully amplify the process of social struggle. As these narratives are passed down through generations serving as a …

Meet And Run, Gia M. Binner

Theses and Dissertations

A defense for Gia Binner’s MFA Thesis, Meet and Run, argues that accessible art, known in this paper as commercial dance, is a meaningful vehicle for social change and that it has the ability to dismantle the outdated, European concert dance dominance by modeling the interdependency of both worlds.

“Ang Kuwento Ng Araw At Buwan” (“The Story Of The Sun And Moon”): What It Means To Be Filipino-American., Rochelle-Leah Barcelona Nuqui

Honors Theses

As a Filipina American from Southern California, my cousins got to experience our Philippine culture through their college’s Filipino American Student Associations, while I had a hard time learning about our culture as I attend a school that has a low Asian American population and miniscule Filipino American population. Although the populations are small, my senior thesis has pushed me to learn about my ethnic identity through the arts and especially through the power of storytelling. This journey in learning the importance of authentic folklore untouched by the western influence has shown me as a Filipina American, that the original …

“Though She Be But Little She Is Fierce”: Playing Hermia On The Virtual Stage, Taylor Alleman

Honors Theses

This thesis displays an undergraduate theatre performance student’s process for portraying the character Hermia in the University of Southern Mississippi’s Spring 2021 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The student completed a detailed script and character analysis, practiced specific vocal and movement techniques, and explored various choices in rehearsals in order to create a profound character that best fit the production.

Keywords: Theatre, Analysis, Vocal, Movement, Performing, Shakespeare

Creating Controversy: An In-Depth Look At The Creation Of Redux, Alexandria Miles

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The following thesis will provide a detailed account of the process by which Redux, a devised play produced by The Radical Buffoons, was created. I will explain how I developed various original characters as well as the acting choices I made along the way. I will shed light on the social climate that inspired this piece and the historical implications that influenced our work. Redux was performed on January 28^th, 30^th, 31^st, and February 4^th, 6^th, and 7^th of 2022 at The Hotel Peter Paul in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Shape Of Things: A Theatrical Examination Of The Progression Of Emotional Manipulation, Kylee Lorio

Honors Projects

In Neil LaBute's work, The Shape of Things, graduate art student Evelyn Thompson meets security guard and future muse, Adam Sorenson, in an art museum during his late-night shift. Their meeting poses the question of just how far humans are willing to go for love. In less than two hours, LaBute’s insight regarding manipulation between intimate partners calls the integrity of our own interpersonal relationships into question. This project encapsulates the materials of Bridgewater College student Kylee Lorio while directing this production during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Reading Of Sir Toby Belch: A Queer And Black Exploration Of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night., Jahi E Bogard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This MFA thesis explores queer, black representation in William Shakespeare’s drama and in the University of Louisville’s Department of Theatre Arts Fall 2021 production of an adaption of Twelfth Night (1601). Directed by Jennifer Pennington, the repurposed script and non-traditional casting targeted a modern audience. Cast as Olivia’s drunk uncle, Sir Toby Belch, I aimed to discover if my identify as a black, queer, cis man could be incorporated into Shakespeare’s text. Sir Toby Belch’s raucous, heterosexual, and sometimes violent, traits are often imagined today as innately masculine. I argue that Shakespeare’s plays can be appropriated by queer, black actors …

9 To 5 Playbill, Providence College, Emma Lowrey

Playbill and Promotion

Providence College Department of Theater, Dance & Film

Angell Blackfriars Theatre

9 to 5: The Musical

Book by Patricia Resnick

Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton

April 8-10 and 22-24, 2022

Directed by Jimmy Calitri

Musical Direction by Lila Kane

Choreographed by Jennifer Hopkins

Kelly Slader - Stage Manager

Carrie Selwood, Laurel Franczek, Joseph Pekar - Asst. Stage Managers

Sydney Cahill, Alex Cannon, Halle Pratt - Asst. Directors

Halle Pratt, Katelyn Salvato - Asst. Choreographers/Co-Dance Captains

Molly McGoldrick - Asst. Scenic Designer

Jillian Forrester - Sound Board Operator

Carolyn Bradley - Light Board Operator

Kelsi Canada, Mary Bryz-Gornia - Costume …

9 To 5 Poster, Providence College, Kailey Collins

Playbill and Promotion

Providence College Department of Theater, Dance & Film

Angell Blackfriars Theatre

9 to 5: The Musical

Book by Patricia Resnick

Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton

April 8-10 and 22-24, 2022

Directed by Jimmy Calitri

Musical Direction by Lila Kane

Choreographed by Jennifer Hopkins

Strengthening Adolescents With Anxiety Through Drama Therapy, Jeremy M. Moeller

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

Strengthening Adolescents with Anxiety Through Drama Therapy

Jeremy Moeller

In recent years the issues associated with social anxiety have become increasingly common in adolescents. With these issues becoming more common it is important that they continue to be nurtured and helped. With so many forms of therapy though it may be hard for someone to find a practice that suits them. That is where drama therapy comes in. Drama therapy is a fairly new practice that helps these adolescents to become more expressive and engaging in their everyday lives, decrease their social anxieties, and build a new sense of confidence …

Risk, Resilience, And The Essential Experience Of Being Seen: Helping Actors Move From Self-Care To Deep Freedom With The Alexander Technique, Jennifer Schulz

Theatre Faculty Publications

In actor training, Alexander Technique (AT) encourages release of tension, ease, efficiency of movement, and greater expressivity. It evokes deep transition into character, and helps the actor avoid injury. While AT often transpires in quiet spaces between an AT teacher and student, it can also be utilized as a practical tool by the director in group experiences, both in the classroom and in rehearsals, in order to restore expansiveness and brighten the creative inner life of the actor for the audience. Its principles are flexible and comprehensive, fostering freedom and play. While a certified AT teacher is required for full …

The Beams Are Creaking, Diane C. Merchant, Rebecca M. Baker, Rebekah Priebe, Jonathan R. Sabo, Tim Phipps

Theatre Productions

The inspiring, powerful, true story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian who defied the Nazis and ultimately led an assassination attempt against Hitler. Part political thriller, part love story, and leavened with moments of humor, it is filled with a compassion that reaffirms one’s faith in man.