Theatre History Commons^™

A Post Apocalyptic Romp: Designing Costumes For Phoebe In Winter, Emmalee Berger

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis will document the process of costume designing for Phoebe in Winter by Jen Silverman. It will examine the process from first read of the script through initial and final design meetings and to execution and production of the design. This will report on challenges specific to this production, such as nudity and violence on an academic stage, and the subsequent solutions. Phoebe in Winter was produced by West Virginia University School of Theatre and Dance in October of 2024. The design process began in February of the same year.

Theatre Education At The University Of Montana: Providing Innovative Solutions To A Complex Problem, Natalie Renk

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

This paper is part of a larger project that aims to provide solutions to assimilate the University of Montana’s theatre education program with those across the United States by providing budget conscious innovations. The focus of this paper will be the creation of two methods courses: THTR 438: Content for Secondary Theatre Education and THTR 439: Skills for Theatre Education, this paper discussing the former. The latter was designed by my research partner, Ren Shepherd. This course would offer comprehensive coverage of theatre practitioners, both historical and modern theatrical texts, hands on design and budgeting experience, as well as teaching …

The Survival Of An American Theater: An Intrinsic And Historical Case Study Of The Success Of Arena Stage, Kay Oliver

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Arena Stage was founded in 1950 in Washington, DC, by Zelda Fichandler, Tom Fichandler, and Edward Mangum. Today, Arena Stage serves a diverse annual audience of more than 300,000 people. It is the largest theater company dedicated to American plays and playwrights in the country. This study presents a single intrinsic historical case study of Arena Stage to examine the internal organizational structure and leadership dynamics that guided the theater through seven decades of turbulent American history. Arena Stage has provided world-class programming while the nation was grappling with the Vietnam War (1950–1975), Brown v. Board of Education (1954), political …

Theatre For The People: Exploring The Need For A New National Theatre, Kai Yamanishi

Theatre and Dance Honors Projects

The Covid-19 pandemic sent shockwaves through the theater industry that have seen dozens of venues across the country laying off workers, shortening seasons, and even closing altogether. Costs have risen, audiences have been slow to return, and traditional sources of funding have dried up. What then, are theaters to do? By conducting an economic analysis and examining published and original interviews with theater practitioners, this essay explores this crisis as it has affected the regional nonprofit theater sector, specifically the members of the League of Resident Theaters (LORT). It concludes that LORT’s model is no longer sustainable because of its …

Tactical Staging: Evolving Methods Of Feminist Activism In Susan Glaspell’S Work, Allison Mcpeak

English: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

In the marketplace of ideas, the Theatre Arts employ narrative stories and eye-catching visual art pieces draw listeners and viewers in a way that is unmatched by other methods. Art not only reflects the society from which it was created, it also acts as a projection of the creator’s ideal world. Theatre, being both a sonic and visual medium also has the unique advantage of speaking directly to a captive audience that are physically in the same room as the characters onstage, making those connections significantly more personal. A caveat, however, is that modern theatre tends to reflect the values …

Was It Good? A Look At The Golden-Ticket Question Of Societal Preferences In Theatre, Carina Leland

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

What makes theatre “good?” There are some common answers that critics and the public agree upon, but the guidelines of good theatre have changed greatly throughout history. Many playwrights and critics have created philosophies that attempted to define popular theatre in their time or according to their personal views. Today’s opinion on “good” has its own set of characteristics that the majority of society enjoys, which is unique from any historical manifesto. Furthermore, our modern consensus doesn’t take into account the wildly different nature of individual preferences; while I enjoy light-hearted coming-of-age stories, others find deeper satisfaction from a thought-provoking …

The Madwoman Of Chaillot, Jean Giraudaux, Maurice Valency

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University's performance of The Madwoman of Chaillot by Jean Giraudoux and adapted by Maurice Valency.

Performed on November 8-9, 2024 at 7:30pm and November 10, 2024 at 2:00pm in the Mitchell Theatre at Taylor University.

Jean Giraudoux's The Madwoman of Chaillot, adapted by Maurice Valency, is a poetic and satirical fable that critiques capitalism and greed. The play is set in Paris, where a group of greedy businessmen plans to tear up the city to drill for oil. Their plans are discovered by Countess Aurelia, the titular Madwoman, a wonderfully eccentric and idealistic woman who …

The Fight Master, Fall 2024, Vol. 43 Issue 2, The Society Of American Fight Directors

Fight Master Magazine

No abstract provided.

Will We Ever Be Well?, Ris Bland

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University's performance of Will We Ever Be Well? by Ris Bland in collaboration with Tracy Manning.

Performed September 12, 2024 in the Butz-Caruth Recital Hall at Taylor University.

Will We Ever Be Well? is a play based on the true crime stories of Dr. Helene Knabe, Alice Martin, Mollie Starbuck and the twins who were possibly born to Mr. & Mrs. Frank McNally.

Moving Pictures Of The Past: Nostalgia For Classical Hollywood In The Broadway Musical, 1960–1990, Curtis Russell

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

In this dissertation, I examine how Broadway staged classical Hollywood between 1960 and 1990 amid social, artistic, and industrial upheaval. While upheaval and experimentation are constants even during epochs of apparent stability, the story my dissertation tells is of an industry facing the perils of obsolescence by looking backward and westward to understand how its larger and more powerful culture industry sibling navigated similar moments of disruption. Building on Fredric Jameson’s notion of the “nostalgia film,” I contend that between 1960 and 1990 the nine “nostalgia musicals” under consideration served the same function for the Broadway musical that the nostalgia …

Digital Transformation In An Attempt To Revitalize Kabuki Theater Arts, Bella Oktira Sujaya, Shobichatul Aminah, Susy Ong

Journal of Strategic and Global Studies

ABSTRACT

Kabuki is a traditional performing art that has been present since the end of the Azuchi-Moyama period. In its development, Kabuki has undergone many changes to adapt to the times. This journal discusses the preservation of Kabuki, one of which is carried out through digital transformation. The Japanese government in the early Meiji era considered the preservation of Kabuki to be crucial because it is one of the rich cultural heritages and to attract tourists. This journal uses qualitative research methods obtained from books, documentation, archives, magazines, online mass media, and social media related to the development of Kabuki. …

The Identity Crisis In China’S National Drama: Vilification And Erasure Of The Homosexuality Of The Dan In Peking Opera, 1910–45, Xiaoyao Lu

Swarthmore Undergraduate History Journal

The homosexuality of male dan actors — female impersonators — in the renowned Peking Opera has long been the subject of tabloid speculation and intellectual criticism since the 19th century, and yet little is said about it in modern-day China. While scholars have ascribed the cause of this change in perceptions of dan homosexuality to events of 1910–20s, including the work of Mei Lanfang, domestic political and economic change, and Japanese influence, I argue that Western and Soviet influence spanning from 1910–45 was the driving factor behind the vilification and heterosexualisation of dan actors.

I show the absence of homophobic …

Black Nationalism And Black Power’S Influence On Karamu House, I'Maya Gibbs

Discussions

This article will explore the impact of the Black Nationalist and Black Power Movement on Karamu House, the oldest Black theater in America. Karamu House, initially established as an integrated settlement house in 1915, later became an influential community theater in Cleveland, Ohio. By examining how an integrated theater shifted into prominently producing radical Black artistry, this article will uncover how Black Nationalism and Black Power changed the leadership, artistry, and goals of Karamu House. Furthermore, studying this shift highlights Black artists’ historical utilization of theater as a form of resistance against racial oppression and Karamu House’s participation in this …

[Discussions] Vol. 20 Iss. 1

Discussions

This issue of Discussions was published for the Spring 2024 cycle.

The Mystic Chords Of Memory: The Civil War Musical As Historiography, Christine Snyder

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The U.S. American Civil War is arguably the defining event in the nation’s history; it was the bloodiest war in that history, but also the means by which the United States ended slavery within its borders. Musical theatre, the major U.S. American contribution to popular and commercial theater, might seem a natural partner for chronicling these vital and epic events, but unlike the founding of the nation, which spawned two popular musicals, 1776 (1968) and Hamilton (2015), Civil War musicals have struggled to find audiences or become a part of the musical theatre canon. In this dissertation, I examine how …

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.

Coming Out, Letting Go, Getting Naked: A Community Engagement Arts Based Project, Tim Aumiller

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Creating a healthy sexual minority identity remains a challenge in the 21^st century, despite significant advances in social acceptance and civil rights. Sexual minorities are more likely than cis gender heterosexuals to be exposed to traumatic events, and experience shame and mental and physical health symptoms as a result. Despite this, sexual minorities do overcome obstacles to develop resilience. While the coming out process looks different depending on the background of the individual, many gay men find connection and build community through this often difficult process where even rejection may play a part. The author found connection and community …

Scare If You Dare: A Look Into Scare Acting, Hana Goss

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Scare acting has always been the unsung villains of the entertainment industry. For three months of the year, for about five minutes of a haunted house, they get attention. However, the work scare actors do to is way more than just a five second “boo.” Scare actors have been at the beginning of theatre and continue to influence modern entertainment. Even though the patrons may be the ones feeling the danger, scare actors may be even more in danger than them. Each scare actor is unique from their looks to their moves. It might be take a lot of nerve …

An Actor's Approach To Contemporary Theatre, Ethan Harbin

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper is a composite of research and reflection in regards to Comemedia dell'arte as well as contemporary theatre. It is a personal exploration of the life and legacy of Aurand Harris. My personal application of the research is documented in this thesis.

Bedeviled Beauty: My Journey Through White American Theater Institutions, J'Aila C. Price

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Game console: Oculus Quest

World: American Theater Institutions

Player: Minority

Place: United States

Level: “Ain’t no way.”

This thesis explores the contrast between the Westernized philosophies ingrained in my education and my identity as a Black female artist. It sheds light on the difficulties of pursuing higher education in the arts and the gaps that arise from limited exposure to culturally diverse Black resources, revealing the systemic issues in Western performance education. The paper also discusses the insights gained from my journey as a Black female artist, focusing on my thesis performance of Blood at the Root, which is …