Arts and Humanities Commons^™

The Line Between Man And Monster: A Theatrical Costume Design Of Caryl Churchill's The Skriker, Katrina Anne Lundquist

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Produced at West Virginia University, this is a record of the costume design process for The Skriker by Caryl Churchill. As a play about vicious folkloric faerie creatures in modern day England, there was a heavy emphasis on showcasing the difference between the human and fae characters. With such a fantastical script, there is a potential to take the design down any number of creative paths. Finding a way to cohesively costume the cast while not losing the intricacies of their individual stories became a personal priority. After coming to an agreement with the director and the rest of the …

Scenic Design For Molière’S The Misanthrope, Alina Michelle Cannon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This document is an account of the design process from the initial reading of the script, design, and production meetings with the director and the production team, through to the execution of the design for The Misanthrope by Molière. This production was produced by West Virginia University’s School of Theatre & Dance during the Fall 2023 semester, presented in the Gladys G. Davis Theater at the Canady Creative Arts Center in Morgantown, WV.

Stage Clutter: An Interactive Journey Following A Theater’S Existential Ponderings, Taylor Tsiamas

Scripps Senior Theses

“Stage Clutter” is a devised, interactive theater piece that focuses on accessibility in theater, as well as questioning what theater is by deconstructing the divide between the “audience” and “performer”. The event consisted of audience participation and exploration, as well as solo performance and puppetry, along with other accessibility features. It aims to center community and joy and subvert Western theatrical “norms” in order to help decolonize theater spaces.

Holy Body/Monstrous Body: The Life And Practices Of Saint Catherine Of Siena., Melissa B. Miller

Dance (MFA) Theses

This research examines the violent misogyny and contempt for the female body in, but not limited to, Western Christian environments using as a lens the life and practices of Catherine Benincasa, a mystic and tertiary Dominican sainted in 1461 as Saint Catherine of Siena. Further, the research looks at the use of the abject and grotesque in performance, as well as transformative storytelling, as a means of making lived experience visible, and is explored as a liberatory response to such systems of domination and violence. Though this research is framed in a religious context, contempt towards female-presenting bodies is not …

Will You Be Mad At Me If I Die? On Dying And Surviving And Everything Inbetween, Riley Blackburn Cerabona

Senior Projects Spring 2024

Everyone talks about surviving, about living, because it is so much harder to talk about death. But death is real and scary and inevitable. I will never be able to face in fearlessly, but I will face it truthfully.

Mr. G And Sons Inc: An Exploration Of My Grandfather's Legacy, Scotty Andrew Georgetti Hindy

Senior Projects Spring 2024

Senior Project submitted to The Division of Arts of Bard College.

Advocating For Tap Dance Through The Study Of Tap Dance Pedagogy, Lindsey Simpson

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

In private dance studios today, less importance is placed on students learning tap dance technique compared to other genres of dance, which is likely due to a lack of available teachers with the proper training and understanding of the tap dance technique and pedagogy. As a result, students in many private dance studios are left with limited training opportunities in tap dance, and older dancers that lost the chance to train in tap dance at a young age often become discouraged and uncomfortable with the genre. Because of this, older students need an opportunity to train in tap dance at …

Shaping Socially Engaged Art Practice And Critical Pedagogy In The Uk Arts And Cultural Sector: An Auto/Biographical Framing Of Class, Gender And Political Activism, Chrissie Tiller

Doctoral

Situated at the intersection of critical pedagogy, radical theatre and political activism, this PhD thesis reflects critically on a series of publications and an interdisciplinary counterhegemonic socially engaged art practice between 2010-20. Mobilising the auto/biographical as a conceptual framework for critical analysis, the thesis addresses questions of systemic inequalities, cultural democracy and social transformation in the UK arts and cultural sector. By examining my lived experience through the analytical lenses of intersectionality and feminist standpoint theory, the thesis foregrounds how interconnecting oppressions of gender and class have contributed to the formation of my creative practice and its pedagogical interventions, constituting …

Sense Make Before Book, Bradley Sinanan

Theses and Dissertations

“Sense Make Before Book” is an Indo-Caribbean turn of phrase which refers to common sense being more important than book smarts. My sister sent me a post the other day on Instagram of an Trinidadian woman using this phrase, saying it was one of Indo-Caribbean origin. I was interested and asked my mom about it. My mom says that when she was younger my grandpa said it often around their house in Princes Town, Trinidad and Tobago. This adage feels charged thinking about the history of indenture and its effects on the Indo-Caribbean diaspora.

The written word of archival history …

Elliot, Eleanor Gresham

Senior Projects Spring 2024

“Not Every Bard Boy” and “Local Man” ask: when and where can gender become a character? Through drag-based performances as my male alter-ego Elliot, I explore gender and gender performativity. The pieces are satirical, dark comedies that explore misogyny and Elliot’s alt-masculinity. His world is male-driven, pretentious, egocentric, and humorous. In developing a thorough understanding of Elliot and the world he inhabits, I found that gender becomes a character when it is performed with heightened realism. This thesis discusses my work’s roots in gender performance and drag, my textual, experimental, and observational research, and the process of world-building.

Dear Lord, I'M Desperate, Fiachra Finn Mcallister

Senior Projects Spring 2024

Senior Project submitted to The Division of Arts of Bard College.

Understanding The Effects Of Hormone Treatments On The Transgender Singer: A Pedagogical Study And Voice Studio Guide, Erin M. Hannon

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Transitioning from one gender to another can be an arduous and emotionally charged experience, accompanied by many physical and mental transformations. The journey of self-discovery and vocal explorations is both unique and deeply personal. Modifications that emerge in an individual's vocal characteristics have a profound influence on their capacity to communicate and express themselves.

Transgender vocal students and professional singers must navigate the delicate balance between their vocal and gender identities while considering the possible risks of Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy. Though these therapies may significantly alter one's appearance and overall well-being, they are also capable of causing notable declines …

Sense And Sensibility, Jonathan R. Sabo, Rebekah Priebe, Tim Phipps

Theatre Productions

Sense and Sensibility examines our reactions, both reasonable and ridiculous, to societal pressures. When reputation is everything, how do you follow your heart?

A playful new adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel follows the fortunes (and misfortunes) of the Dashwood sisters—sensible Elinor and hypersensitive Marianne—after their father's sudden death leaves them financially destitute and socially vulnerable. As the sisters navigate the complex social customs of their time, they face various challenges and obstacles in their pursuit of happiness. Ultimately, they must learn to balance their sense and sensibility in order to find fulfillment in both their romantic and familial relationships. …

Anne, Martin, Emmett, And Harriet: Plays About Anne Frank And Historical African American Personages, Erin R. Scheidegger-Menendez

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Anne Frank is linked to her contemporaries in about 80% of 18 English-language published and produced plays. The remaining plays pair Frank and African American icons Harriet Tubman, Emmett Till, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Research on dramatic literature with Frank as a character, the writing of plays linking her with African American personages, or history, analysis, or comparison of the process of multiple plays about Frank does not exist. A few articles extant compare the Goodrich and Hackett play with the Kesselman rewrite, a dissertation on five plays about Frank (those five plays are in the 80% mentioned earlier). …

Revolutionizing The Stage: The Impact Of The Revolving Stage In 'Hamilton', Amanda L. Padilla

Publications and Research

This research delves into the captivating features of the revolving stage in the Broadway musical "Hamilton," examining both its significance in modern theater for the American Revolution, dynamically mirroring the ever-evolving political landscapes of the time. Focusing on design and engineering, the study sheds light on the motor-driven control of the central pivot point, enabling a unique 360-degree view that significantly heightens audience immersion. The research underscores the stage's role in enhancing visual clarity, unraveling complex scenes, and enriching the comprehension of choreography and narratives. Beyond its narrative function, the revolving stage plays a pivotal role in shaping the visual …

The Disney College Experience: A Full Recollection Of Moments And Memories Of The Disney College Program Internship, Lauren Jumonville

Undergraduate Honors Theses

I decided to do the Disney College Program as my honors thesis because Disney is something I am very passionate about. I worked for the Disney Company before and knew that I wanted to continue my experience with them. I went into the program hoping to discover what the college program could do to prepare me (or any prospective programmer) for the profession and for a life in performance. In January of 2023, I made my way to Orlando, Florida, to start my next journey with the Walt Disney World Company. I went through four different orientation processes, as well …

Us Manufacturing Readiness Assesment For Industry 4.0, Yogesh Bhutani

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Industry 4.0 is the next frontier in manufacturing evolution. Industry 4.0 is the term coined by the German government based on the research work of Henning Kaegermann. Multiple studies have been published worldwide, showing the slow or no adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies. Factors such as high costs, unproven technologies, integration, and others impacting the adoption are areas of concern. Readiness is an important factor that impacts adoption. Understanding the current readiness for Industry 4.0 to predict future adoption levels is important. It is vital to understand the readiness of manufacturing companies to adopt Industry 4.0 technologies, as this is …

Designing A Drama-Based Arts Ministry For The North 10th And Treadaway Church Of Christ, Curtis Alexander King

Doctor of Ministry Theses

The North 10th and Treadaway Church of Christ (“Treadaway”) is a small, predominantly African American congregation located in Abilene, Texas, home of Abilene Christian University (“ACU”) and several other institutions of higher learning. Considering ACU’s Church of Christ heritage and continued affiliation with the Churches of Christ, it is no surprise that Treadaway has often served as a “home away from home” congregation for ACU students and recent graduates who choose to remain in the city. The level of integration of the students from ACU and other local colleges into the life and ministry of Treadaway has varied greatly over …

“Coming-Of-Age” In South Pacific, The Sound Of Music, And Kimberly Akimbo, Sabrina Shah

Honors College Theses

This paper discusses the ways in which the theme of “coming-of-age” is explored in South Pacific, The Sound of Music, and Kimberly Akimbo. I use the term “coming-of-age” because that is the colloquial phrase for stories about maturation, however this term can include any transition from an innocent mindset to an enlightened one. This change often results from encountering harsh realities of the real world and learning to accept them. Although the transformation often happens in tandem with growing older, it is the process of experiencing the world which catalyzes it. Growing older can mean challenging your beliefs, exploring where …

A Holistic Approach To Creating Cultures Of Quality Excellence Within Higher Education Institutions In North Carolina, Natalie Aman

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This paper first seeks to identify cultural factors of faculty, staff, and students within Higher Education Intuitions (HEI) and then understand how those factors affect the individual as well as the overall larger population of all studied groups to create cultures of quality excellence. Secondary data collected from government databases was used for the research. The independent variables included cultural factors for each stakeholder and the dependent variables included satisfaction levels of each stakeholder. Faculty and staff independent cultural variables included Performance Management, Supervisor/Department Chair Effectiveness, Communication & Collaboration, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging, and Mission and Pride. The dependent variable …

The Psychology Of The Stage: Intersections Of Cognitive Science And Theatre, Ariya Selvakumar

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

By engaging audiences in a stranger’s story, theatre often depends on emotional contagion and empathetic responses to strike interest and investment in characters and their circumstances. Mirror neuron systems are those highly tied to the activation of empathy. These neurons are brain cells that activate when we perform an action and witness an action being performed. For example, when someone is crying, a subset of neurons that fire when we cry will also fire in response to seeing this action, thus often leading to emotional contagion. With an understanding of cognitive science, we can closely examine the perspective-taking and emotion-prediction …

Behind The Scenes: Shining A Spotlight On Veiled Theatre Workers, Ariel Bradshaw

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

My thesis aims to highlight traditionally underrepresented theatre artists. I wish to dive deeply into the many backstage, or “veiled” workers, who continue to go unacknowledged. Why is there an aspect of “veiled” theatre created to stay hidden? Even in technical theatre, some specialties receive more credit or recognition than others. For example, the Tony Awards offer categories for direction, sound, light, costume, and scenic design, yet no award for stage management. How are institutions working to create more representation in an intentionally hidden space? This project will specifically focus on the representation of stage managers, arguably the most invisible …

Encuentros Y Variaciones Performáticas Entre El Larp Y El Cosplay. Algunas Claves Desde Las Teorías De Consumo (No)Narrativo, Laura I. Quiroz

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

Tanto el larp (live-action role-play) como el cosplay (representación corporal de personajes de la cultura popular mediática) son manifestaciones dentro del amplio espectro de fenómenos del performance, entendido éste tanto escenificación como conclusión o reactivación de una experiencia. Ambas prácticas también están ligadas a hacer presentes, a través de los juegos de apariencia y la simulación corporal, universos narrativos ya sea completos, fragmentados o recombinados. La ponencia propuesta busca explorar estas relaciones y variaciones entre el larp y el cosplay a partir de las teorías de consumo narrativo y de la base de datos propuestas por Eiji Otsuka (2010, 2017) …

Laughter In The Shadows: Navigating Comedy And Tragedy In Much Ado About Nothing, Mary Kelly

Conspectus Borealis

No abstract provided.

Mother Courage And Her Children

Theatre Programs

No abstract provided.

Small Mouth Sounds

Theatre Programs

No abstract provided.

You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, Stacey R. Stratton, Rebekah Priebe

Theatre Productions

Based on the beloved Charles Schulz comic strip, this musical revue brings the iconic “Peanuts” characters to life through songs and short stories of the lovable but insecure Charlie Brown and all his friends. Through the humorous, reflective, and often emotionally-erratic journey of daily life, Charlie Brown ultimately learns the value of having good friends who embrace our flaws, celebrate our unique qualities, and help us find contentment in the little things. Following the classic style of Schulz's comics, audiences will enjoy the blended humor and clever wordplay of the show’s catchy and memorable tunes. Coupled with lively choreography and …

Perspectives On Practice: Building A Better Environment For All – An Interview With Jane Daly And Siobhán Bourke, Tanya Dean

Articles

In this Perspectives on Practice interview, Tanya Dean speaks to SiobhánBourke and Jane Daly about their work with Irish Theatre Institute in supporting Irish theatre and fostering positive change in the industry. The discussion explores how the purpose of Irish Theatre Institute has evolved, and how it has adapted to and reflected the changes and challenges facing Irish theatre over the decades

Body Movement Syllabus - The City College Of New York - Department Of Theatre - Prof Timothy Allen, Timothy J. Allen

Open Educational Resources

This course will explore three modules of learning.

1. Anatomy and Psycho-Physical Centering, will explore two foundations: (1) the start of our research and practical application of the human anatomy in regards to how our body moves; and (2) your ability to tune into movement centers within the body by utilizing Chakra as a guiding study. Please note: Anatomy will be a continuous study throughout the entire semester.

2. THE SECOND MODULE, Partnered Connection, will focus on partnering with lifts, counter-balances, falls, and rolls that will build to a partnering sequence of the tools presented.

3. THE LAST MODULE, Global Archetypes, …

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Nothing To See Hear, Adam Kuykendall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nothing to See/Hear is a research experiment into minimalist visual narrative via the short film Not the Boss of Me, in which the criteria for production mandated only the bare essential elements required to construct and convey a plot and its characters be used while filming within a nondescript space - in this case, a mostly empty soundstage. How does one tell a story and define its characters without direct expository dialogue? What is needed to establish and define locations and/or environments when limited to only one or two items? Can an audience engage their imagination to fill in the …