Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Hedda Is All Of Us. On Directing Henrik Ibsen’S Hedda Gabler, Laura Catherine Post

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This paper aims to document the process of directing Henrik Ibsen’s 1890 play Hedda Gabler at the University of Arkansas in February 2023. The chapters include the script selection process, translation selection process, casting, text analysis, research, design process, rehearsal process, and production evaluation.

The Theatrical Lighting Design For The Production Of The Moors., Austin James Bomkamp

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis paper, The Theatrical Lighting Design for the Production of The Moors documents the process of the lighting design for the production of The Moors written by Jen Silverman and produced at the Fine Arts Center University Theatre by the University of Arkansas Department of Theater. This document includes the research, process, implementation, and evaluation of the theatrical lighting design for this play.

On The Brink Of Transformation : Becoming Ones True Self, Jordan Lee Williams

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

It brings me great joy to share with you the story of my journey through Academia. This thesis will cover some of the milestones I’ve reached throughout my studies here at the University of Arkansas, which led me to be able to attain an MFA in Theatre with an Acting Emphasis. You’ll be granted an all access pass into some of the works I’ve been able to produce while studying here at the U of A Including my one person show, statement of artistry, a link to my website, and information on my career as a professional stand-up comedian

Living As Past In The Present, Grace Taylor

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, I will be discussing how I used my nine roles in A Christmas Carol at TheatreSquared to practice getting out of my head onstage and into the hearts of each character. I will also include the script of my original play, GORILLA, the composition and performance of which were some of the greatest challenges of my artistic career thus far. Additionally, I am including my artistic statement, show posters, program, photos, website link, headshot & resume, and proofs of permission for use of media.

One-Person Show: Field Notes On Writing, Producing, And Performing My Own Work, Riley Newsome

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is an examination and journal for my process of writing my full-length one-person show Isolation, the organization and steps of producing it from scratch, and the preparation and performance of the show. It will also include the version of the Isolation used in the performance, a statement of artistry, some of my current acting materials such as a link to my website, a headshot, and a resume.

The Scenic Design: Songs For A New World By Jason Robert Brown, Morgan Mcinnis

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Songs for a New World by Jason Robert Brown was produced by the University of Arkansas Department of Theatre as the final show of the 2022-2023 season. The musical comprises sixteen independent songs taken from Brown's work on various projects, coming together to create a collection of scene-songs that examines life and the choices we make. While each song's storyline is different and musically distinctive, each presents similar stories of characters facing a moment of decision in their lives and an opportunity to transition from old to new. The result is neither an ordinary musical nor revue but a theatrical …

Embracing The Ugliness A Director's Journey Into Yasmina Réza’S "God Of Carnage", Huan Thien Bui

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this paper, I detail my involvement directing Yasmina Réza's God of Carnage as my thesis show. This paper comprehensively covers every stage of the production process, beginning with pre-production tasks such as selecting a title, holding auditions, conducting research, and analyzing the script. It also encompasses the production procedures, including design meetings, rehearsals, tech week, and performances, before concluding with post-production activities such as self-reflection and analyzing audience feedback. Furthermore, I discuss the various insights I've gained about theatre practice over my four-year program in terms of acting, directing, and producing. This paper also serves as an intropective journey, …

Me, Myself, And Hedda, Gabriel J. Franco-Kull

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis paper will focus on the process of creating my one-person show, relevant aspects of my life and history, my journey and growth in the MFA acting program, my thesis performance, and how therapy helped me grow not only as a person but artistically. Additional materials include headshot, resume, and a link to my website.

How This Bitch Made This Bitch: A Play On Defiant Women Of Color, Adrienne B. Dawes

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The workshop production of my full-length, bilingual play “This Bitch: Esta Sangre Quiero” marks the culmination of my course of study at the University of Arkansas. In this thesis, I will discuss the development process of “This Bitch” from its humble Zoom reading beginnings to regional theater development to its workshop production as part of the university’s 2022-2023 Mainstage season. Through the lens of this new play process, I outline my artistic evolution during my four years of graduate school, interrogating and celebrating the ways this bitch has been inspired by “This Bitch.”

A Contemporary Dressing Of Henrik Ibsen’S Hedda Gabler, Heidi Rose Decaluwe

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The following thesis describes the process of creating the costume designs for the production of Hedda Gabler that was produced at the University Theatre at The University of Arkansas in the spring of 2023. In this thesis, I will explain the process, from my initial response to the script to the final stage production. Included is a full script analysis, an extrapolation of the stages of design, from research to rough sketches and preliminary renderings, final color renderings, the process of turning renderings into fully realized costumes, and finally an evaluation of the entire process.

The Lighting Design Of This Bitch! Esta Sangre Quiero, Zackary Mcjunkins

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis serves to document the script analysis, lighting design process, and execution of the lighting design for the University of Arkansas’s Fall 2022 production of This Bitch! Esta Sangre Quiero, an original work by M.F.A. playwriting candidate Adrienne Dawes. Special care will be taken to address the unique challenges faced throughout the design process and implementation of the lighting design. This document contains all necessary paperwork to implement a lighting design, including a light plot, section, magic sheet, and other paperwork, as well as research imagery and photographs of the production.

Dressing The New World: Costume Design For An Unconventional Adaptation Of Jason Robert Brown’S Songs For A New World, Callie Lythgoe

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis follows the process of designing the costumes for the University of Arkansas’ production of the musical Songs For A New World by Jason Robert Brown. The following will detail the steps taken to conceptualize and realize the costume designs for the full process of the production. Included in this thesis is the analysis of source materials and other dramaturgical research, my research images and process sketches, final costume renderings, and production photographs. Overall, this document will record the design process and my evaluation thereof.

Memento Mori: Philosophy For The Actor, Edwin C. Green

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores a philosophy whose goal is to fuel and protect the spirit of the working professional actor. This philosophy greatly inspired my one person show performance and will serve me in my future. Included in this paper will be my artistic philosophy, my resume, headshot, website, photos, and my one person show script, developed in the spring of 2022, titled“Memento Mori”.

A Hero's Status In Two Lenguas, Ana Karen Miramontes Loya

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis consists of my statement of artistry, and documentation of artistic materials and thesis related performances.

A Woman On Fire: A Character Study Of Hedda Gabler, Leah Paige Smith

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis I will be discussing my process in preparing and performing my thesis role of Hedda Gabler, and how it is relevant to modern struggles of women surrounding pregnancy, motherhood, and body autonomy. This is paralleled with the topic of my one-person show, titled 6 Weeks. I will include the events of both plays, the script of 6 Weeks, my character analysis of Hedda, the rehearsal process, production photos, resume, headshot, program, and a link to my website.

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 …

100 Million, Cade Scott

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Alec, an 18-year-old filmmaker, decides to bunk with a group of TikTok stars in a mansion in the suburbs of LA in hopes of becoming as famous as them one day. But, he soon finds out that they plan to keep him behind the scenes. Forced to continue helping them film and post their videos, he starts witnessing shady events involving his step-brother, Kevin. The events reach a crescendo when some of the TikTok stars accidentally disappear. Alec investigates and discovers a sinister plot, and then he finds himself in a fight for his life. Which ends with him narrowly …

A Tough Nut Never Boils: Thoughts And Ruminations On Language And Playmaking, Lauren Ferebee

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

After an unorthodox journey through higher education ending during the coronavirus pandemic, which has made the typical theatrical thesis production and subsequent typical final year impossible, the author reflects on the body of work she has created at the University of Arkansas as an M.F.A. candidate in playwriting at the Department of Theatre, how she has reached both deeper into her own discipline and outside of it to widen her understanding of liveness, performance, and textual creation. She interrogates her own unexpected experiences, from figuring out how to make theatre without theatres, to teaching students who have never seen a …

The Story Of A Journey: Awakenings Before, During And After The Zoom Production Of The Play Thrift Store Junkie, Brendan Beseth

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis tells the story of several awakenings I had while pursuing my M.F.A. in playwriting at the University of Arkansas. It details some of the traps a writer can fall into. It tells of how to get out of the quicksand. Also contained within is an account of the thesis production of my play Thrift Store Junkie and the play’s script.

Scenic Design For “Topdog Underdog”, Austin Aschbrenner

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The 2019 production of Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks at the University of Arkansas was produced with a guest director who, throughout the process of the production, experimented with the typical perception of the Pulitzer Prize winning play and added conceptual spins to help open the eyes of the mostly small town and rural based audience. This thesis will explore the various elements of this particular production and which of these elements contributed to exploring the depths of Topdog/Underdog.

This document will analyze the design process of the University of Arkansas’s production of Topdog/Underdog, and will analyze specific design choices which …

The Scenic Design Of "A Little Night Music", Kathleen Holmes

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A Little Night Music by Hugh Wheeler and Stephen Sondheim was produced by the University of Arkansas Department of Theatre in 2018-2019 academic school year. The scenic design process entailed a series of private meetings, design meetings, independent research, and analysis that all culminated into a full scenic design package. The show itself has many locations that quickly transition into one another. It was my challenge as the designer to cohesively design the scenery so that it could be transitioned easily and in time with the music. The major themes of the show that I based the design around were …

The Magic Circle: An Essential Experience Through Virtual Theatre, Brandon Roye

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the similarities of video game design elements within the world of theatrical scenic design. Using my 2019 scenic design of Marc Camoletti’s bedroom farce Boeing Boeing as the backdrop, I discuss the core concepts of game design. I then describe the scenic process of the production and the journey from concept all the way through to a virtual reality recreation of the design. The study of game design in theatre has the potential to open a wide new world of opportunities in the scenic design industry. This paper examines how the theatre can benefit from game design …

Blackting: The Inseparable Act Of Being Black And Acting: For The Magical Negro, Austin Dean Ashford

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

I am honored to present my Thesis for my M.F.A. in Theatre, in the form of a multidimensional project, drawing inspiration from the structure of Moby Dick by Herman Melville. As an undergraduate, the structure of Moby Dick intrigued me as it defies the form we call “a novel.” The book includes traditional prose, an entire play, verses of poetry, and even an essay. The structure of Moby Dick further influenced my love for Speech and Debate, especially around the event of Program Oral Interpretation (POI). POI places multiple genres of literature in conversation with each other and centers them …

Baptizing Shakespeare, Na'tosha De'von Barron

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis I will be discussing my process in preparing and performing the role of Lady Macbeth, and how I used the parallels of the King James Bible to approach the text. I will show how this method will allow theatre people to teach Shakespeare to African Americans in a way that will become second nature to grasp. I will include the events of the play, my character analysis, intake on the rehearsal process, production photos, resume, headshot, program, and a link to my website.

Costume Design For Qui Nguyen’S She Kills Monsters, Tanner Neal Mcalpin

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The following thesis details the process of creating costume designs and implementing them in the production of She Kills Monsters which was produced at the University of Arkansas Black Box Theatre in the Fall of 2018. Throughout this thesis I will explain how the costumes went from initial research and conversations with the director to the final products on the stage. The account of this includes an analysis of the script, collages of photos used for inspiration, portrait gallery, research, rough sketches, renderings with fabric swatches, production photos, and my evaluation of the process as a whole.

Costume Design For "Life Is A Dream" By Pedro Calderon De La Barca, Kelsey Looney

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The following thesis explains the process used to create and implement the costume design for the production of Life is a Dream produced at the University of Arkansas in the spring of 2018. In this thesis I will detail the process of moving from research, to renderings, to finished costumes. This design process includes a script analysis, inspiration collages, portrait gallery, sketches, renderings, production photographs, and an assessment of the success of the process overall.

Acting Styles Of Caryl Churchill Performance, Mischa Hutchings

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis contains materials pertaining to my thesis performance and one-person show. This thesis also includes my headshot, resume and link to my website.

To Be Thus Is Nothing, But To Be Safely Thus: Applying The Michael Chekhov Technique To The Character And Fight Direction Of "Macbeth", Scott Nicholas Russell

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is an exploration of the Michael Chekhov technique as it was applied to the role of Macbeth, as well as the Fight Direction of the play. This production of Macbeth ran from February 1, 2019 to February 10, 2019 at the Global Campus Theatre at the University of Arkansas in downtown Fayetteville; this thesis includes documentation of the show. Additionally, this thesis includes documentation on my self-created one-person show, Forte and Foible, my headshot and resume, and link to my website.

An Intimate Portrayal Of Madame Armfeldt In A Little Night Music, Mollie Armour

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis contains documents supporting my thesis role, my personal statement of artistry, a script for my one person show, and materials used in my professional career.

What It Means To Be A Man: A Character Study Of Macduff, Justin Alexander Mackey

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis I will be discussing my process as an actor when approaching a role, specifically the role of Macduff in William Shakespeare’s, Macbeth. I will include a character/script/event analysis as well as a journal of my experiences during the rehearsal process. I will also include production photos, programs, a link to my website, and my headshot and resume at the end.