Arts and Humanities Commons^™

The Impact Of Creative And Performing Arts In The Chicago Public School System, Lashanda Holts

Masters Theses

This thesis examines the importance of creative and performing arts through the multifaceted production, “Mop and Bucket Blues”. This thesis was also created to bring awareness to Chicago’s inner city gun violence, poverty, absentee fathers’, and the lack of funding for the creative arts in public schools, in high crime areas. By analyzing the thematic elements, artistic techniques, and socio-political impact of the play, this study seeks to shed light on the potential of theater as a powerful medium for social change and educational reform.

With Love, ; An Interdisciplinary And Intersectional Look At Why Creativity Is Essential, Theo Starr Gardner

Whittier Scholars Program

My Whittier Scholars Program self-designed major, Teaching Creativity, is a mixture of Art, Literature, and Education classes. My research and praxis classes have been focused on the ‘how?’s and 'why?’s of creativity, so it felt only right that my project should be a constructivist, generative project. The project I have been working on throughout my time at Whittier, and that has just fully come to fruition on April 11th, 2024, was a solo art gallery/open mic event entitled ‘With Love,’. With Love, was conceptually inspired by the research I’ve conducted on creativity and creative arts education over the past few …

Costumed Culture: Influences And Preservation On Broadway, Amanda L. Padilla

Publications and Research

This research talks about into the preservation and evolution of costuming in Broadway productions, and exploring how historical and contemporary designs intersect in certain productions. Through articles and an interview with an IATSE worker, it examines the socio-cultural influences shaping costume choices and the technical advancements driving innovation. By tracing the trajectory of Broadway costuming, from its roots to modern adaptations, this study talks about theatrical storytelling and its broader impact on fashion and cultural trends. It shows the significance of costuming as an art form reflective of constantly changing societal norms and artistic expressions on the Broadway stage.

Spring Dance Concert

Dance Programs

No abstract provided.

The Flick: An Exploration Of Scenic Design Processes, Bradlee K. Lamotte

Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film: Theses, Student Research, and Creative Work

The purpose of this thesis is to provide research, supporting documentation, production photographs, and other relevant materials which document the scenic design for the co-production between the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film at the University of Nebraska and the Professionals In-Residence Nebraska Repertory Theatre titled The Flick: An Exploration of Scenic Design Process. This thesis contains the following: research images collected to develop and communicate ideas regarding location, shape, texture, scale, mood, and historical and architectural reference to the production team; preliminary sketches and photographs of the ¼” scale model; a full set of drafting plates and …

Big Fish, The Musical: Lighting Through A Legacy, Kennedy N. Wilcher

Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film: Theses, Student Research, and Creative Work

This thesis describes the complete production process of the lighting design for the musical Big Fish by John August with music/lyrics by Andrew Lippa, which was produced by Nebraska Repertory Theatre in partnership with the Glenn Korff School of Music and performed in Howell Theatre on April 25th through May 4th, 2024. This production of the musical was conceived and crafted by the collaborative team: Direction by Ann Marie Pollard, musical direction by Suna Gunther, scenic design by Anna Schwartz, costume design by Hunter Rock, technical direction provided by Ashley Faulkner, Projection Design by Anna Henson, and the head electrician …

Liminality And Knowledge Production In Egyptian Stand-Up Comedy: Reflecting Perspectives And Defying Restrictions, Nohayer Lotfy

English Language and Literature

This paper aimed to examine how Egyptian live stand-up performances act as a liminal space where comedians present their perspectives on issues of concern, offering a different source of knowledge other than mainstream views and ideas. Data collected for this study included selected excerpts from Egyptian live stand-up shows in addition to interviews with stand-up comedians to collect more in-depth information about how they perceive stand-up comedy as a form of art and how they select their topics and develop their stand-up material. For this paper, two analytical approaches were applied: 1) A thematic approach to closely investigate the range …

Beyond The Veil: A Contemporary Reimagining Of Chinese Shadow Puppetry, Yuheng Jiang

Theatre and Dance Honors Projects

Chinese shadow puppetry is a traditional art-form of storytelling that requires highly-skilled craftsmanship. Though it enjoyed great prestige in the past, at present Chinese shadow puppetry struggles to survive as it is difficult to recruit apprentices and to appeal to contemporary audiences. This honors project explores how to adapt the art-form with alternative materials and performance techniques, so that it may welcome younger generations as practitioners and spectators. For example, a simpler crafting process makes the art-form more accessible for novice puppeteers while preserving key traditional elements; or a Chinese horror-themed story that tailors more towards the youth’s interest.

Theater As An Experiential Destination: Exploration Of Themed Entertainment Design Techniques For Theatrical Productions, Yunzhu Chen

Theatre and Dance Honors Projects

The paper investigates the integration of methods used in theme parks into theater productions to create experiences that foster returning patrons. Through examining their existing presence and other possible applications in theatrical performances, the research demonstrates how themed pre- and post-show environments, dynamic audience mobility, and techniques such as detailing and focusing can enhance narrative immersion in ways that traditional theater may not, potentially increasing reoccurring attendance. Additionally, the creative component of the project illustrates the implementation of these methods in staging the classic short story "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman as an immersive theatrical production.

The Alexander Technique Applied To Dance And The Choreographic Process: Freeing Physical Expression From Trauma-Based Tension, Julia Johnston

Senior Honors Theses

Ballet, contemporary, and modern dancers have expressed incurring trauma during their training and professional dance experiences; in a 2020 survey, 41% of professional dancers and 30% of ballet students reported experiencing or witnessing sexually inappropriate behavior in their respective workplaces and schools (DDP). This is just one example of a potential source of trauma for dancers. The physiological effects of trauma cause physical effects, creating tension in a dancer’s body. Dance relies on physical expression, the expression of thought and feeling through movement, to connect with the audience. Trauma-based tension inhibits a dancer’s range of physical expression and connection to …

The Storm In The Barn

Theatre Programs

No abstract provided.

...The End (April 18, 20, 2024), Lindenwood University

Student Dance Programs

Event program for ...The End (April 18, 20, 2024), Lindenwood University.

The Beginning Of... (April 17, 19, 2024), Lindenwood University

Student Dance Programs

Event program for The Beginning of... (April 17, 19, 2024), Lindenwood University.

Ordinary Days (April 10-13, 2024), Lindenwood University

Student Theatre Programs

Event program for Ordinary Days (April 10-13, 2024), Lindenwood University.

To view the photos from this production of Ordinary Days, please click here.

Student-Directed One-Acts

Theatre Programs

No abstract provided.

Onnagata, Femininity, And Cross-Dressing In Narukami: A Look Into Gender In Kabuki, Mary Hughes

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

This paper explores the gender dynamics within Kabuki theatre through the examination of the play Narukami. Kabuki is a theatre style that was originated by women, but it quickly excluded them in favor of using men to portray female characters. This study delves into the relevance of these female characters to modern non-male identifying performers and challenges the traditional casting norms. Looking to the onnagata role, which is the role of a male actor playing a woman onstage, the paper examines how gender is represented within the existing practice of Kabuki. For example, the character of Teama in Narukami is …

The Art Of Engaging The Public: The Effect Of The Arts On Civic Engagement, Kathryn Fraley

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

No abstract provided.

Bibliography For "Keeping The Rhythm Of Creativity: Celebrating The Performing Arts And Intellectual Property", Isabella Piechota, Arianna Tillman, Kalea Brown, Katherine Roth

Library Displays and Bibliographies

A bibliography created to support a display about the performing arts and intellectual property at the Leatherby Libraries during April 2024 at the Leatherby Libraries at Chapman University.

Big Fish: A Scenic Designer's Process, Anna K. Schwartz

Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film: Theses, Student Research, and Creative Work

This thesis presents a comprehensive exploration of the scenic design process through a case study of the production "Big Fish the Musical" at the Nebraska Repertory Theatre. Drawing on firsthand experience as the scenic designer for the production, the author delves into the multifaceted journey of conceptualizing, designing, and executing the scenic elements of the show. The thesis examines the collaborative nature of the scenic design process, highlighting the interactions between the scenic designer, director, technical team, and other creative collaborators. Key aspects explored include the initial conceptualization phase, the iterative design process, the challenges, and discoveries encountered during rehearsals …

Now I See You, Now I Know You: How Constructions Of Space And The Self Navigate The Tension Between Reenchantment Of The World And Intimate Communion In Autobiographical Performance, Huong Nguyen

Theatre and Dance Honors Projects

The transformative power of live performances lies in their reenchantment of the world: how they allow us to see special qualities of everyday objects and phenomena. Autobiographical theatre, rather than trying to find new ways of seeing, aims to transform the audience to “[make] the stranger less strange”. How do these qualities co-exist in autobiographical performance, and how does such a style of performance navigate them? By centralizing a comparative analysis of stagecraft in Aya Ogawa’s The Nosebleed and my honors project, Anti-Cartesian Variety Show, I demonstrate how constructions of space and the self help collapse the boundary between reenchantment …

The “Henry Rifle” On The German Stage: Karl May’S Depiction Of The American West As “Dark And Bloody Grounds”, Elisabeth Hostetter

College of Performing Arts Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Wole Soyinka: A Life Of Arts And Advocacy, Maggie Feduccia

Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

The life and work of playwright, novelist, and activist Wole Soyinka (born in 1934) serves as a perfect example of the marriage of the arts and advocacy, through the telling of stories of the Nigerian people. Soyinka grew up surrounded by Christianity, Islam, and the tribal religion of the Yoruba people. Additionally, Soyinka’s parents exposed him to Nigerian and other West African literature, Western literature, and ancient Greek drama. Soyinka’s intellect was formed at the intersection of these various theologies and literary traditions, and further developed through studies at the University of Ibadan and the University of Leeds, from where …

Concert Intime

Dance Programs

No abstract provided.

The Winter's Tale (February 21-24, 2024), William Shakespeare

Student Theatre Programs

Event program for The Winter's Tale (February 21-24, 2024).

To view the photos from this production of The Winter's Tale, please click here.

Twelfth Night, Or What You Will

Theatre Programs

No abstract provided.

Works In Progress

Dance Programs

No abstract provided.

Winter Dance Concert (January 25-27, 2024), Lindenwood University

Student Dance Programs

Event program for the Winter Dance Concert (January 25-27, 2024).

Introduction To Theatre Oer Course, Carmen R. Meyers

Open Educational Resources

Study of theatre and performance throughout history and across cultures including an examination of European, Carribean, and North and South American theatrical styles and genres.

This course is organized for a hybrid/asynchronous format. Our class meets on-campus every week for 75 minutes and the other 75 minutes will be completed asynchronously with weekly learning modules on Blackboard.

The first half of the course focuses on the history of theatre from Ancient Greece through Modern Realism. The second half of the course, students engage in the procedures of professional theatre artists through writing and refining a dramatic text; enacting a performance; …

The Warfield Cycle: Dylan's Mystery Plays, San Francisco, November 1980, Graley Herren

Faculty Scholarship

This chapter studies a series of concerts Dylan performed at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco in November 1980. After several concert tours devoted solely to his new Christian music, Dylan began playing some of his older secular music again, trying to integrate these two strands of his music. This chapter examines Dylan's song cycles like a series of medieval mystery plays, emphasizing themes of reconciliation, collaboration, and communal renewal.

Harold Hargis Photograph Collection, Jaclynn Martin

Prints and Photographs Department

Dr. Harold Walter Hargis (1925-2015), a distinguished oral and maxillofacial surgeon, was born in Bluefield, West Virginia on June 11, 1925. His parents were Thomas and Mary Clare Hargis. Dr. Hargis made significant contributions to the field of dentistry.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and subsequently pursued his education, earning a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts from Howard University in 1951 and a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the same institution in 1955. During his time at Howard, he met his wife, Mary Frances Diggs, and joined the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

After …