Acting Commons^™

Lost In Austen: An Immersive Approach To Pride & Prejudice, Erica Hughes

Theses and Dissertations

This paper is an account of the Theatre VCU mainstage production of Pride & Prejudice, in which I played the roles of Mrs. Bennet and of the vocal coach. In order to address the various skill levels of the cast, I planned to coach the production in a manner inspired by immersion language learning programs, with the cast speaking in dialect throughout the rehearsal process so as to learn the necessary vocal skills and to grow together as a theatrical ensemble. When the director of Pride & Prejudice was not receptive to this plan, I had to compromise and adapt …

One Script, Two Perspectives: Generation Me And The Staging Of Really Really, Kirstin R. Hensley

Theses and Dissertations

Really, Really, by Paul Downs Colaizzo, is loosely based on the 2006 Duke University sexual assault scandal resulting from what proved to be a false accusation of rape made against three members of the men’s lacrosse team. After individually reading the play, Jorge Burmudez and I both arrived at differing opinions of who was the true victim, in turn inspiring this thesis, which is an exploration of two separate productions of the play demonstrating contrasting perspectives/outlooks regarding sex crimes within sports organizations in the university setting. It will describe our process from conceptualization to a post-mortem talking about particular …

One Script, Two Perspectives: Generation Me And The Staging Of Really Really, Jorge A. Bermudez

Theses and Dissertations

One Script, Two Perspectives: Generation Me and The Staging of Really Really is a reflection on the approach, pre-production, rehearsal and post-production phases of the play, Really Really by Paul Downs Colaizzo, which debuted in the Shafer Street Playhouse on February 20, 2015 on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University. The cast included Kaelie Ukrop, Adam Valentine, Ethan Malamud, Telos Fuller, Solomon Dixon, Molly Kaufman, and Katie Stoddard.

This paper looks at the processes involved with the creation of that piece. Focus is given to the problems and challenges involved with casting, production, rehearsals, post-production and effective directing methods.

The Shifting Voice: Investigating Accent And Dialect Training For West Australian Actors, Luzita Fereday

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This masters research examines accent and dialect training for actors in the Western Australian context and seeks an understanding about what aural, embodied and cognitive attributes an actor needs in order to move from one accent to another. In particular, this research explores the characteristics of Australian dialects as grounds for the acquisition of the Standard British accent or Received Pronunciation.

The purpose of this research was to identify the expertise required when teaching an accent to acting students in pre-professional levels of tertiary training. This practice-led approach to the research included interviewing, observation, the circulation of questionnaires, and my …

Through The Eyes Of The Homeless, Aisha M. Soto

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

When reviewing the entire project from start to completion, I can honestly say, Through the Eyes of the Homeless is a play about ten women and their plight. It illustrates their dealings with everyday issues of hurt, disappointment, abuse, love, and hope. I believe the true impact of this play is the undeniable prayer for help and hope within each monologue. Despite the horrors that are unveiled and released through hidden secrets, the undertone of betterment is truly resonating. My own expectation for this play is simply to strike awareness and understanding in the eyes of the people. It is …

Dancing On Checkers' Grave By Eric Lane, Allison Kump

Honors Projects

My proposed honors project consists of directing my own, fully-actualized production of Eric Lane’s play Dancing on Checkers’ Grave within the BGSU’s Department of Theatre & Film Elsewhere season. As the director, I must hone in on the play’s relevance to today’s society and shape my storytelling tools to clearly communicate the narrative, establishing a relationship between the performers and the audience.

Dancing on Checkers’ Grave is a play about two very different teenage girls who come to bond over homework, “munchkining,” relationships, and nail polish. Rooted within the text are topics of sexual identity, what it means to be …

“The Modern Performance Art Vs. Traditional Theatre: The Division Between The Contemporary And The Conventional”, Sally Woo

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Performance art and theatre are both rooted in the same practices and ideas. Performance art is an art form that utilizes the human body as a tool for creating art. It has no boundaries and past performance pieces have proven that the options are limitless. The human body acts as a type of canvas in which the artist manipulates however they wish, whether it is on the body itself or the movement or placement. Theatre does the same thing, using people to tell stories that illuminate real life situations in a scripted and rehearsed manner. However, while theatre has become …

Exploring Unusual Post-Graduate Careers In The Arts, Caroline Hawkins

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Post-graduation job searching arrives too quickly in most college seniors’ lives, and many of us find ourselves unprepared when the time comes to actually find a career we want to commit to for an extended period of time. To commence this daunting quest, I have decided to explore a few alternative possibilities and options for professions that are related to my passions of theatre and music, but that are a bit more unorthodox, unexpected, and “outside the box.” To aid me in my search, I will communicate with several professional experts in their fields, gaining skilled and experienced opinions. In …

Cognitive Neurosciene And Its Applications To Contemporary Acting Theory, Ryan Stiffelman

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

I personally believe that anyone can be a performer so long as they have the determination, dedication, and refuse to take no for an answer. There are all kinds of training out there designed to help turn hopeful wannabes into the “stars” that we know them as, however, not every “star” we see has had this kind of training. We often hear of young actors like Jennifer Lawrence hailed for their “natural talent”. Does this mean there’s some kind of birth-right, a specific natural inclination or ability that makes someone a potentially great actor from the start? I will refer …

What Dreams May Come: A Musical Revue Media Release, Susan Werner

Playbill and Promotion

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

What Dreams May Come: A Musical Revue media release

December 2014

Marie Antoinette Media Release, Susan Werner

Playbill and Promotion

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Marie Antoinette media release

December 2014

Fully Committed Strike Poster, Providence College

Playbill and Promotion

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Fully Committed strike

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Tartuffe

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University’s Fall 2014 performance of Tartuffe by Molière.

Taylor University's Theatre department proudly presents, "Tartuffe", a pinnacle of classical comedy. Written by renowned French playwright Molière in 1664, "Tartuffe" follows a hypocrite's attempts to sabotage the domestic happiness of an unsuspecting family.

Fully Committed Box Office Sign Up Sheet, Providence College

Playbill and Promotion

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Fully Committed box office sign up sheet

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Letter From The Department Of Theatre, Dance & Film To The Dominican Fathers And Sisters, Department Of Theatre, Dance & Film

Playbill and Promotion

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Letter from the Department of Theatre, Dance & Film to the Dominican Fathers and Sisters inviting them to a production of Fully Committed.

November 6, 2014

Marie Antoinette Open Auditions Poster, Providence College

Playbill and Promotion

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Marie Antoinette open auditions

Joint audition, Monday, November 3, 2014, 7pm

*Coupled with What Dreams May Come: A Musical Revue

What Dreams May Come: A Musical Revue Rehearsal & Performance Schedule, Providence College

Playbill and Promotion

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

What Dreams May Come: A Musical Revue rehearsal & performance schedule

November 2014-February 2015

The Imaginary Invalid Poster, Providence College, Tom Banwell

Playbill and Promotion

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Molière's The Imaginary Invalid

Adaptation by Miles Malleson

Original songs by Keith Munslow

October 31 - November 2

November 7-9

The Imaginary Invalid Playbill, Providence College

Playbill and Promotion

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Angell Blackfriars Theatre

Molière's The Imaginary Invalid

Adaptation by Miles Malleson

Original songs by Keith Munslow

October 31 - November 2

November 7-9

Directed by Mary G. Farrell

SCENIC & VIDEO DESIGN: Kathryn Kawecki

COSTUME, WIG & MAKEUP DESIGN: David Costa-Cabral

LIGHTING DESIGN: Jen Rock

VOCAL COACH: Megan Chang

Cast: ARGAN - Brian Kozak; TOINETTE - Katcy Stephan; ANGELIQUE - Katrina Pavao; BÉLINE - Mary Reagan; MONSIEUR BONNEFOY - Jonathan Coppe; CLÉANTE - Thomas Aviles; DR. DIAFOIRUS - Ben Williams; THOMAS DIFOIRUS - Patrick Rogers; LOUISE - Joey Macari; MADAME BÉRALDE - …

The Imaginary Invalid Poster, Providence College

Playbill and Promotion

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

The Imaginary Invalid by Molière

October 31 - November 2 & 7-9, 2014