Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Institution
- Publication
- Publication Type
Articles 1 - 17 of 17
Full-Text Articles in Arts and Humanities
The Village On The Stage: Dramaturgies Of Modernity In African Concert Dance, Margit N. Edwards
The Village On The Stage: Dramaturgies Of Modernity In African Concert Dance, Margit N. Edwards
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
My dissertation, The Village on the Stage: Dramaturgies of Modernity in African Concert Dance, analyzes the underlying theatrical logic in African concert dance through a dramaturgical model I call the village on the stage. The village on the stage dramaturgy has had multiple iterations over the 20th and 21st centuries both across the African continent and the African diaspora. Commonly presented within the world-dance market as neo-traditional African dance, the village on the stage refers to a set of practices of staging traditional dance and music of Africa and the African diaspora and serves as a …
We Who Are Not As Others: Costuming The Godspell Ensemble As Historical Circus Performers, Anderson Palmer
We Who Are Not As Others: Costuming The Godspell Ensemble As Historical Circus Performers, Anderson Palmer
Theatre Undergraduate Honors Theses
This paper examines the Bible as well as circus history and American history to determine the most effective way to design costumes for the musical Godspell by John-Michael Tebelak for a modern audience. The aim of all of this research is to re-center Tebelak’s original inspiration: The Feast of Fools by Harvey Gallagher Cox. Over the years since the premiere of Godspell in 1970, it has become heavily associated with hippies rather than clowns, despite the importance of clowns and clowning to the play’s inception.
Taking inspiration from primary research of circus performers, religious iconography, and early 20th century …
Manifesting The End Of Amerikkkan Theatre: Black Theatre’S Healing Power To Eradicate Anti-Blackness, R'Myni Watson
Manifesting The End Of Amerikkkan Theatre: Black Theatre’S Healing Power To Eradicate Anti-Blackness, R'Myni Watson
University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations
This thesis explores the potential of Black Theatre as a catalyst for healing anti-Blackness within American theatre. Acknowledging the limitations of systemic change, this study advocates for incremental shifts within communities to combat ingrained racial biases through narrative change and theatrical exploration. Grounded in the theory of Black Theatre's energy force, Nommo, the study proposes the framework of Acknowledge, Dismantle, Re-Educate to address and eradicate anti-Blackness. Through directing the production of Blood at the Root, incorporating Black Theatre methodologies atop eurocentric foundations, this research documents the healing experienced by participants and audiences. Key findings reveal increased community engagement, support, awareness, …
‘Faults To Make Us Men’: Shakespeare In The Prison System, Hannah Boyle
‘Faults To Make Us Men’: Shakespeare In The Prison System, Hannah Boyle
Honors Projects
This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the positive impact of Shakespeare in prison programs on incarcerated individuals, utilizing empirical data, anecdotal evidence, and scholarly insights. It underscores the educational benefits of engaging with literature and performance arts within prison settings, as well as the various social-emotional learning opportunities, especially the ability to reduce recidivism rates and enhance incarcerated individuals' quality of life.
Drawing on the experience and narrative of many practitioners of theatre in prison and Shakespeare in prisons programs, this paper works to show Shakespeare's unique capacity to connect incarcerated populations with those who have gone through the …
The 15th Theatre: A Kentucky State Theatre Proposal, Holly N. Kissel
The 15th Theatre: A Kentucky State Theatre Proposal, Holly N. Kissel
Undergraduate Theses
The 15th Theatre project proposes a strategic and programmatic plan for a Kentucky state theatre, driven by the mission to uphold Kentucky voices within a professional theatre. This proposed theatre company strives to become a quintessential meeting place for all Kentuckians to explore their history, create new Kentucky-based work, and represent the authentic experience of the diverse regions of the state, from the large population centers of Louisville to the mountainous Appalachia. Reflecting on the current struggles facing regional and professional theatre companies across the country in the post-pandemic entertainment economy, the strategic planning of this theatre outlines the necessity …
Creating Consent Based Spaces In The Performing Arts, Laura Rikard
Creating Consent Based Spaces In The Performing Arts, Laura Rikard
SC Upstate Research Symposium
In 1849 when Duke Saxe Meiningen created the role of the modern director in theatre he created an authoritarian model for creative power over production that would be replicated for the next one hundred and fifty years in the performing arts. This leadership model led to a performing arts industry reliant on performances being obedient and not fostering environments where creative collaboration can thrive. It created confusion between what it means to say, “yes” from a point of view of survival and not from a place of consent. For true collaboration to thrive in the product and process oriented spaces …
Arts Integration In The Middle School Mathematics Classroom, Cameron Willis
Arts Integration In The Middle School Mathematics Classroom, Cameron Willis
Honors Projects
In this project, we explore the question "How can arts integration techniques be used in the middle school mathematics classroom to heighten student engagement and interest while also developing deeper conceptual understanding?" Through completing a lesson study over incorporating structured improvisation into a simple probability unit, seventh grade students were able to share their thoughts and feelings about using theatre to teach mathematics.
Ordinary Days (April 10-13, 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.
Onnagata, Femininity, And Cross-Dressing In Narukami: A Look Into Gender In Kabuki, Mary Hughes
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 Winter's Tale (February 21-24, 2024), William Shakespeare
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.
Introduction To Theatre Oer Course, Carmen R. Meyers
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; …
Red Curtain Rivalry, Amy Lytle
Red Curtain Rivalry, Amy Lytle
Playwriting (MFA) Theses
Two community theaters in the same city are accidentally putting on the same musical at the same time due to a publishing company's error. The members of the dueling troupes have to untangle the mess--the show must go on, of course! Between big misunderstandings, a few shenanigans (or hijinks, as some may say), and a lot of lessons learned, watch as each company battles to win the Red Curtain Rivalry and prove themselves the best production of "A Doll's House: The Musical!" that the community theatre community has ever seen.
Scenic Design For Molière’S The Misanthrope, Alina Michelle Cannon
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.
The Merit Of Adaptation: An Exploration Of Adaptation In Regard To Sophocles’ Theban Plays And The Role Of Antigone Within The Story, Hogan T. Holt
The Merit Of Adaptation: An Exploration Of Adaptation In Regard To Sophocles’ Theban Plays And The Role Of Antigone Within The Story, Hogan T. Holt
Theses and Dissertations
The creation of an adaptation is extremely challenging and time-consuming, but with the right tools and inspiration, that task of creation can be eased. By looking at three different adaptations of the Theban plays, the goal of creating a new adaptation of this series of plays can be achieved. At the same time, this adaptation can achieve a goal of highlighting an important character from the original set of plays, Antigone, and give her a role that elevates her to the main protagonist across all three plays, thus allowing the Theban plays to become a more feminine piece that works …
Does It Sound Like I'M Talking?, Justin E. Borak
Does It Sound Like I'M Talking?, Justin E. Borak
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, better known by his stage name, Molière, was widely known as one of the greatest writers in France. His biting satirical thoughts on French hypocrisy, as well as the brilliance in his verse, will be investigated through one of his most popular plays, The Misanthrope. Throughout these pages, I will explore this by diving into the character of Philinte, the trusted best friend of Alceste, the misanthrope, and take a deeper look into the empathetic character who is desperately trying to walk the line of truth and bootlicking. I will accomplish this by researching Molière himself, his specific …
The Line Between Man And Monster: A Theatrical Costume Design Of Caryl Churchill's The Skriker, Katrina Anne Lundquist
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 …
Lighting The Cylcone, Maren Taylor
Lighting The Cylcone, Maren Taylor
Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports
This thesis will give an account of the lighting design process for Ride the Cyclone presented at West Virginia University. Not only will it focus on the role of a lighting designer in a theatrical production but also the production process from the first design meeting to striking the show. I will describe my process, what worked, what new approaches I tried, and evaluate the evolution of the lighting design. In addition, I will include the details of working alongside the other designers in this collaborative process. Research images, paperwork, and production photos will be used to detail the process.