Performance Studies Commons^™

The Verdi Forum, Linda B. Fairtile

University Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications

The peer-reviewed journal of the AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR VERDI STUDIES (AIVS). Early issues, first titled A/VS Newsletter (1976) and later Verdi Newsletter (1977-98), were edited by the AIVS's director, Martin CHUSID. They featured scholarly articles, essays of more general interest, and news items about performances, recordings, and conferences. While Nos. l-7 were issued semi-annually, beginning with No. 8 (1980) the Verdi Newsletter became an annual publication. Nos. 7 (1979), 9-ro (1981-82), and 17-18 (1989-90), collectively titled 'The Verdi Archive at New York University,' document the history and holdings of the AIVS Archive at that time.

Scene Design Of A Chorus Line, Naoko Ishizuka Skala

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This document is a detailed account of Naoko Skala's design process for A Chorus Line by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante. It is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts in Theatre from Minnesota State University, Mankato. These documents trace the design process from the designer's preproduction analysis, historical and critical analysis and post production analysis of the effort. Included also is the designer's journal which documents the process chronologically from its inception through its realization. Finally, the designer has provided an analysis of her overall artistic development as it has been …

The Process Of Directing Edward Albee's The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia, Shelley Whitehead

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This paper will follow director Shelley Whitehead's process of bringing The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? by Edward Albee to production at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Within the paper the director discusses her initial concepts and ideas; a historical look at the playwright and play; journals regarding the rehearsal and performance process; a dissection of that process to ascertain success or failure of the ideas set forth in the first chapter; and a final look at how her years at Minnesota State Mankato shaped her as a director. Included in the paper is an Appendix to supplement the paper's findings. …

How To Improve Theatre Arts Education In Chinese Higher Educational Institutes, Ji Ding

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This document is a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the Master of Arts degree in theatre. Theatre Arts in China is in a state of decline. There are several possible ways to change this situation. This thesis will, through the comparison of Theatre Arts in higher education between China and the US, discuss what good lessons China may draw from the US in order to improve. The improved education of Theatre Arts in Chinese higher educational institutes may then be able to help the decline of Theatre Arts in China.

Play Selection Process Of Minnesota Catholic High Schools, Amanda Pyfferoen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This document is a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the Master of Arts degree in theatre. It details the parameters and results of a survey distributed to Catholic high school theatre directors in Minnesota. The survey inquired about the process for selecting plays, what themes or lessons the directors refrain from presenting and if there is a need for a list of guidelines that could assist directors in selecting Catholic appropriate theatre pieces to present. There is further development of a proposed guideline and potential rating system that could be implemented into Catholic high school theatre programs.

The Making Of Disgrace Kelly: Dragging The Diva Through Cabarets, Pubs And Into The Recital Hall, Caitlin Cassidy

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This research project investigates the synthesis of cabaret and recital performance as a way to re-invigorate the recital as a performance platform. As a curious classical singer with a passion for cabaret, I have explored cabaret in my own creative practice as a classically trained opera singer through the employment of practice-led research methodologies. This project includes research manifested in rehearsals, performance and exegetical writing, including a unique self-reflexive voice in the writing style, to encompass a practice-led research methodology. The culmination of these approaches was a final performance program entitled Diva Bites the Dust. A study of the diva …

The Spirit Of The Spitfire: Creating The Role Of Nancy Shedman In Romulus Linney's "Holy Ghosts", Caleigh M. Keith

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explains the acting method used by Caleigh Keith while portraying the role of Nancy Shedman in Romulus Linney’s Holy Ghosts. Included are chapters of historical research, character analysis, and a production report, which includes a scored script, rehearsal and performance journal, and a self-evaluation of the actor’s work. Holy Ghosts was produced by Theater UNO at the University of New Orleans in the Robert E. Nims Thrust Theater of the Performing Arts Center. It opened Tuesday, February seventh, and ran through Sunday, February twelfth, two thousand and twelve. Evening performances were at seven-thirty and Sunday’s matinee was …

Better Pleasing The Court: How The American Collegiate Moot Court Association Can Improve Its Competition, Alan R. Gray Jr.

National Forensic Journal

The American Collegiate Moot Court Association strives to educate undergraduates about the American legal system through participation in moot court, a simulated oral argument before an appellate court. Its competition structure, however, suffers from defects that undermine the educational value of the event. This article argues that the ACMCA ought to adopt certain reforms in its operational structure, including geographically locking its regional competitions, abandoning its practice of power-matching preliminary rounds, and rewriting its judging ballot. These goals would not only enhance the quality of the legal education received by its participants, but improve students’ forensic learning experience as well.

The Fight Master, Fall 2012, Vol. 34 Issue 2, The Society Of American Fight Directors

Fight Master Magazine

No abstract provided.

Sound Studies: Voice And Aurality In The Theatre, Patrick Michael Finelli

Theatre and Dance Faculty Publications

The aural aspect of performance has emerged as a unique topic for theatre research at a time of technological advancement, providing a distinctive entry point for historical analysis while raising important theoretical questions about recording, reproduction, the interplay of live and recorded sound onstage, and the act of listening itself. Until relatively recently, “sound studies” as a research focus has been a minor grace note in the composition of theatre studies. Historically, theatre scholarship has referred to the speaking actor, the literary voice of the playwright, the metaphorical voice of the age, or an unseen psychological voice—all of which have …

Choreography And Performance With Deaf Adults Who Have Mental Illness: Culturally Affirmative Participatory Research, Sondra H. Malling

Creative Arts Therapies Theses

Dance/movement therapy (DMT) techniques—particularly choreography and performance techniques—have not been well-researched with Deaf adults who have mental illness. This study investigated the use of DMT, choreography, and performance techniques with Deaf adults with severe and chronic mental illness through participatory artistic inquiry. Primary research questions addressed pragmatic matters of participatory artistic inquiry: What aesthetic choices will the co-researchers make in the dance-making process? How does the researcher provide structure and incorporate her experience as a choreographer without overshadowing the contributions of the co-researchers? Broader philosophical research questions included: How do choreography and performance techniques impact this population’s well-being? How does …

Robert Burns As Dramatic Poet, R. D. S. Jack

Studies in Scottish Literature

Discusses Burns's skill in creating dramatic voice in his poetry, and what can be learned about the poems in their performance. Examples include "My luve is like a red, red rose," "John Anderson, my jo," "Robert Burns's March to Bannockburn," and "Tam o' Shanter."

A Classical Journey In A Contemporary World: Directing Naomi Iizuka's Anon(Ymous), Maria Chiara Pipino

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis paper is on the directorial journey that led to the production of Anon(ymous), by Naomi Iizuka, at the University Theatre in spring 2012. The following chapters will discuss the birth and evolution of the production, the approach to the script from the director's point of view and the creative process.

The Persistence Of Vengeance From Early Modern England To Postmodern New York, Dominic M. Sevieri

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

As a passing glance at the popular texts of any given period reveals, the subject of vengeance is nearly inescapable; on billboards, websites, and year end lists, revenge represents a curious constant even amid disparate media. This study explores the cultural commonalities that align revenge texts of the English Renaissance and exploitation films of late 20th century America. As in-depth inquiry reveals, numerous ideas and narrative tropes popularized during the Early Modern period are pushed to their logical extremes in these films. The central factor that aligns London during the Renaissance and New York at the cusp of the 1990s …

Latvian Folk Dance: Sustaining Cultural Heritage In The Context Of Christianity And Communism, Emilija Karina Grinvalds

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

In times of chaos and violence, brutality and oppression, one would not think of the arts as a guiding light for maintaining cultural identity and establishing peace and independence. However, the small country of Latvia serves as a prime example of how the arts, specifically folk dance, helped to maintain Latvian culture through centuries of oppression and war. As Swedish and German missionaries sought to spread Christianity throughout the pagan tribes in the 11th century, dance helped to sustain the cultural and religious beliefs of the ancient Latvians. Folk dance created a sense of unity within their communities, and the …

The Production Of Choreography Influenced By Works Of George Balanchine, Tiffany Guy

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

One of the most renowned Ballet Masters in the history of dance is George Balanchine. By studying his works and feedback from his dancers, my goal is to gain enough information to develop a two to three minute choreographed work of my own, incorporating the influence of Balanchine’s style and design. In my research, I will be examining his history and the interviews of Balanchine-influenced dancers, reflecting on personal experiences, and dissecting his choreography and elements of my own work in creating my final choreography. Within my piece, I will be manipulating various uses of rhythms, implementing Balanchine-style movements, and …

Double Take Project: Using Applied Theatre For Campus Climate Change, Christina M. Cody

Honors Theses

Despite research gathered in the Campus Climate Report, I believe that it underrepresented the student experience of the social scene. The document primarily served as an identification tool for four major problems on campus: binge drinking, sexual assault, diversity, and disengagement in the classroom. Double Take Project also identifies similar issues however, this project uses theatrical techniques to gather the anecdotal reality of the student perspective. Double Take Project expands beyond the Campus Climate Report to inspire dialogue in a variety of student-to-student interactions and, more importantly, the project seeks action and solution plans.

The social scene dominates our culture …

"I Can't Stop Thinking": The Process Of Creating The Role Of Mr. Zero, Maurice Reed

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis contains an account of the characterization process of Mr. Zero from The Adding Machine, by Elmer Rice. The character and script analysis is revealed through journal entries and will be discussed as the analysis was put into use in the rehearsal process. The production of The Adding Machine opened Nov 11, 2011 and ran until Nov 20, 2011. The rehearsal process began on Sep 21, 2011. This thesis will document the struggles and success of creating the role of Mr. Zero.

Lady Windermere's Fan: The Black And White Of It, Jacob Lawrence Heger

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

The purpose of this thesis is to describe the process used to create the scenic design for the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's 2011 production of Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan, A Play About a Good Woman. Within this paper I will look at the process used to create the set design, the execution of the set design and the final product when seen in a fully realized production.

Advisor: Sandy Veneziano

Three Musketeers And A Rock Band, Brandi K. Kawamoto

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

This thesis is the culmination of my scenic design work for Ken Ludwig’s The Three Musketeers in the Howell Theater at the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the spring semester of 2012. Within this paper I will look at the conceptualization process, historical research, execution of the set design, the realized final product, and the critique process. The rough sketches, research images, computer draftings, finalized renderings, and production photos are featured within the thesis.

Advisor: Sandy Veneziano