Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Voices In My Head: An Improvisers Approach To Becky Mode’S Fully Committed, Drew Stroud

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The following thesis will focus on improvisational theatre and its importance in my overall process in the creation of Becky Mode’s Fully Committed. I will explain my previous knowledge and theories that I brought to the University of New Orleans and run in tandem with the techniques and discoveries I learned during the process of my Master of Fine Arts, both in the classroom and on the stage. Fully Committed was performed in the Robert E. Nims Studio Theatre September 23^rd, 24^th, 25^th, 28^th, 29^th, 30^th, and October …

Static Evolution, Leah R. Scantlen

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

In Justin Maxwell's theatrical works, the stasis and stagnation of central characters are importantly made materially evident through costuming. For instance, in the play, Marie Antoinette's Head, the stagnation of civilization and society is explored while time zigzags over two thousand years. The movement of time and epochs is told through a colorful array of costumes, also indicating the growth and evolution of characters in each period. The protagonist, Leonardo, however, remains stuck in 1793. In another of Maxwell's works, the one-man, one-act play Exhausted Paint, the painter Vincent Van Gogh experiences a similar inert characterization. In both …

Creating Controversy: An In-Depth Look At The Creation Of Redux, Alexandria Miles

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The following thesis will provide a detailed account of the process by which Redux, a devised play produced by The Radical Buffoons, was created. I will explain how I developed various original characters as well as the acting choices I made along the way. I will shed light on the social climate that inspired this piece and the historical implications that influenced our work. Redux was performed on January 28^th, 30^th, 31^st, and February 4^th, 6^th, and 7^th of 2022 at The Hotel Peter Paul in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Directing A Contemporary Deconstruction Of A Chekhov Play, Margaret Anne Tonra

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

When examining Stupid Fucking Bird, it is important to recognize that it is a deconstructed adaptation of Chekhov’s The Seagull. Aaron Posner’s, Stupid Fucking Bird, shakes up Chekhov’s old form with something new and, perhaps, more relevant than its original form. The thesis includes a detailed analysis of the production process and post-production analysis of Stupid Fucking Bird written by Aaron Posner and directed by Margaret Tonra at UNO, October 2021-February 2022.

From Stowaway To Emperor: Understanding Brutus Jones In Eugene O'Neill's The Emperor Jones, Justin W. Davis

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The body of this thesis is a documentation of the process of creating the character of Brutus Jones in Eugene O’Neill’s The Emperor Jones, including research, character analysis, rehearsal journal, list of actions and activities, and the play. The Emperor Jones was produced by the University of New Orleans Department of Film and Theatre in New Orleans, Louisiana in the fall of 2020. Due to the Coronavirus, all actors and crew were tested and masked during rehearsals and filming. The play was filmed in the Robert E. Nims theatre and presented online on the evenings of November 21^st, …

Holding The Spotlight When The World Has Gone Dark, Hannah J. Alikhani

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic has had dramatic effects throughout the economy, but few industries have been hit harder than the performing arts. Theatres face unique challenges, including lost earned and contributed revenue, navigating virtual platforms, and how to sustain their audiences, who are distant both physically and mentally. This study seeks to explore the ways in which three mid-size nonprofit theatres work to overcome these challenges and adapt to the new and ever-changing landscape of live performance. At the same time, the Black Lives Matter movement and the demand for more equity across institutions of all types have placed additional social …

An Exploration Of The Experiences Black Women Face In Society Through The Lens Of Single Black Female, Danielle James

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The following thesis is an in-depth actor analysis on my approach to the role of SBF 2 in Theatre UNO’s 2020 production of Single Black Female by Lisa B. Thompson. This thesis will include analysis of the text, discussion about social issues, impact of a global pandemic, character objectives, techniques used, self-evaluation and personal reflection. This play was directed by Richon May, and performed Sept 30th- Oct 10th, 2020, as part of the Theatre UNO 2020-2021 academic season, presented by the Department of Film and Theatre in the School of the Arts, at the University of New Orleans, New Orleans, …

Something In The Way She Moves: Bodily Motion As Innovation In Bernhardt’S Hamlet, Juliana Starr

Foreign Languages Faculty Publications

Sarah Bernhardt’s audiences often described feeling thrilled by the star performer, and they relished the ways in which her agency exceeded their own. She developed a style of setting her entire body in motion, often in arresting, unusual ways. Using Sharon Marcus’s concept of “exteriority effects”-mobility, framing, tempo control, and hyperextension-this article analyzes Bernhardt’s stage movement in her most famous cross-gender role, Hamlet. It seeks to prove that the most revolutionary aspect of her performance was, ironically, not its cross gender aspect, but rather its virtuosic physical interpretation of the Prince as a determined man of action, which profoundly challenged …

The Collaborators Draw The Circle, Gary K. Lengel

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The mystical appeal of a circle reverberates throughout the practice of theatre: from the story circles of our ancestors echoing through the caves and across the ancient savannahs to the modern-day arena palaces that allow playwrights, directors, actors, producers, designers, craftspeople, and, ultimately audiences, to engage and embrace our retold truths, we face each other in circles. This writing references academic instruction and professional experiences in live theatre, documenting various appearances of the circle metaphor as the rehearsal core drives through the production process. It is an endorsement of the circle’s power to the initial table read and beyond: this …

Social Power Of Jazz Festivals, Olga Bekenshtein

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Jazz festivals occur in all parts of the world, small cities and metropolises, urban and rural landscapes, stadiums, churches, streets, and abandoned factories. Being a part of the entertainment industry, they have the potential to impact social change. Jazz festivals help us reconsider notions of identity and community, and their communal experience has the potential to undermine dominant social norms. The industry of jazz festivals is based on Black music and has a history of positive and negative social outcomes. Evaluating festivals through the symbolic meaning of music provides an optic into how festivals marginalize and exploit African American cultural …

Black Expressions Of Dillard University: How One Historically Black College Pioneered African American Arts, Makenzee Brown

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The proposed public history project, Within These Walls (WTW), will be one component of a larger exhibit produced by Dillard University’s, Library Archives and Special Collections entitled The Star Burns Bright: History of Dillard’s Theatrical and Musical Arts, Faculty and Students. WTW will focus on Dillard’s historic African American faculty, students and alumni who became prominent painters, musicians, writers, actors and directors among them Adella Gautier, Randolph Edmonds, Ted Shine Frederick Hall, Theodore Gilliam, and Brenda Osbey. This exhibit will also highlight the many art programs, across genres, offered at the university between 1935 and 1970. This exhibit will demonstrate …

Scorched Earth: Unlocking The Mysteries Of Shakespeare's Greatest Villain, Iago In Othello, Christopher P. Hunter Jr

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The following thesis is an in-depth actor analysis chronicling my approach to the role of Iago in TheatreUNO’s 2019 production of Othello by William Shakespeare. This thesis will include analysis of the text, character objectives, techniques used, observations about the application of contemporary realistic acting technique to classical verse text, self-evaluation and personal reflection. This thesis will be supported by production materials including a fully scored script.

This play was directed by David W. Hoover, and performed April 25- May 4, 2019,as part of the TheatreUNO 2018-2019 academic season, presented by the Department of Film and Theatre in the School …

Fair To Middlin’: How The Mediocre White Male Trope As The Exemplar Of Human Experience And Universal Truth Fails To Adequately Prepare The Diverse Field Of Contemporary Actors And Audiences In Film, Television And Theatre Today, Shanda Quintal

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Non-traditional casting has been a controversial practice in film, television and theatre that was implemented to offer people of color and women opportunities which had previously been available to white or male performers. The following is a case study documenting the process by which I have discovered that non-traditional casting as a practice contributes to the oppression of people of color as well as supports the status quo of the white patriarchy. This case study is analyzed from the historical, sociological, psychological and philosophical theories and ideologies relevant to the unsuccessful attempt of a female actor of African-American descent at …

Do We Make A Sound? An American Morality Play, Bennett A. Kirschner

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Defending Eulalie, Mimi Ayers

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Realism Revisited: An Exploration Of Ibsen's A Doll's House And Hedda Gabler In Contemporary Contexts, Kristin E. Shoffner

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The following thesis is an exploration in creating TheatreUNO’s production of A Doll’s House and Hedda Gabler. The goal of directing the production of A Doll’s House and in performance of Hedda Gabler in repertory was to walk the fine line of honoring the original intentions of the playwright while simultaneously making the performances accessible to a contemporary audience. This thesis will include an in-depth look at the process of both productions, analysis, research and production materials. A Doll’s House and Hedda Gabler ran in repertory at The University of New Orleans April 12-28 2018.

Story & Style: Pursuing Excellence On The Academic Stage, Ryan M. Decker

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The following thesis is a brief view of the 2017-2018 production of Marco Ramirez’s contemporary play The Royale, as produced by Theatre UNO, the theatre production arm of the University of New Orleans’ Department of Film & Theatre. This thesis will include initial responses, analysis, interpretation, production synthesis and communication, and reflection with conclusions on performance, directing, and pedagogy in academic theatre. This thesis is supported by documentation of the production process, including a scored script. The play was performed in New Orleans, Louisiana at the University of New Orleans Performing Arts Center’s Robert E. Nims Theatre, November 9-19, …

The Killing Noise Of The Out Of Style, Bryon E. Reiger

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

N/A

Night Launch, Cavan Hallman

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

An Actor's Method To Building The Character Of Mother Superior In Agnes Of God, Venita J. Matthews

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Agnes of God is the story of a nun (Agnes) who gets pregnant while living in a convent. She almost dies after giving birth to a baby, who was later found dead in a garbage can. The cast consists of three members: Agnes; Mother Miriam Ruth (Mother Superior); and Dr. Martha Livingstone, the court appointed psychiatrist. Faith is tested as Dr. Livingstone draws closer to uncovering the truth surrounding the conception, birth, and death of Agnes’ baby.

I performed the role of Mother Superior in the UNO production of Agnes of God. This thesis documents my rehearsal and …

Across The Great Divides: An Exploratory Tryptich, Andrew Vaught

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Becoming Ellen Van Oss In Lee Blessing's Two Rooms, Tiffany S. Anderson

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This thesis documents the process implemented in creating the character of Ellen Van Oss in Lee Blessing’s Two Rooms. It includes research, character analysis, script analysis and an evaluation of my performance. Two Rooms was produced by the UNO Department of Film and Theatre and directed by Erick Wolfe. The play was performed at the Robert E. Nims Theatre in the UNO Performing Arts Center November 7, 12, 13, 21, 2015 at 7:30pm and November 8 and 22, 2015 at 2:30pm.

It's All Greek To Me: Orestes 2.0, Timothy M. O'Neal

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

“It’s a nightmare, really.” Orestes returns from exile to take revenge for his father’s death. From there begins a dizzying exploration into what it means to take revenge, what familial ties really mean, and what happens to a country after the long, drawn out war is finally over. Orestes 2.0 takes a bold look into these ideas and more, using Euripides’ ancient play as a touchstone and putting a contemporary spin on it by borrowing from many, many different sources. The award‐winning University of New Orleans’ production of Orestes 2.0 strives to open the world of ancient Greek to a …

The Effects Of Politics And Media On America: Creating The Role Of Lainie Wells In Lee Blessing's Two Rooms, Arielle B. Brown, Arielle B. Brown

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Two Rooms, by Lee Blessings, was selected for performance at the University of New Orleans during the fall of 2015. I studied and portrayed the role of Lainie Wells as my thesis project. The purpose of my thesis was to research a character physically, psychologically, and emotionally as an actress and create a character through the eyes of Lainie Wells.

The following is a brief breakdown of the structure of my written thesis: biography of Lee Blessing, hostage families and their mental state as it relates to the Iranian hostage crisis, mass media effects on Syria, The Hunt for …

More Than A Pretty Face: An Exploration Of Célimène In Molière’S The Misanthrope, Sarah E. James

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Molière’s The Misanthrope explores themes of hypocrisy, love, and the elusive nature of the truth. The play centers on the effects of unapologetic honesty in a society overflowing with pretense.

Célimène serves as the supreme example of this society, but is more complicated than the shallow follies she represents. She walks the tight rope between truth and survival and must keep the balance without leaning too heavily one way or the other – lest she fall.

This thesis endeavors to articulate the creation of a multi-dimensional character that connects with today’s audience and facilitates an understanding of the intentions and …

Creating A Sense Of Relevancy: Directing Lee Blessing’S Two Rooms, Erick L. Wolfe

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The following thesis is a documentation of the production of Two Rooms, including analysis, research production book, script, documentation, and evaluation. The play was performed in New Orleans, Louisiana, at the University of New Orleans Performing Arts Center Lab Theatre on November 7^th, 8^th, 12th, 13th, 21st, and 22^nd, 2015.

How To Be A Misanthrope: Creating The Title Role In Moliere’S The Misanthrope, David Cleveland Brown

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This thesis documents my research, rehearsal, and performance of the role of Alceste in Moliere’s The Misanthrope, which includes, a biography of Moliere, character analysis, role development, a rehearsal journal, character research, acting process, evaluation of my performance, and script analysis. The Misanthrope was produced by the UNO Department of Film and Theatre, under the direction of David W. Hoover. The play was performed in the Robert E. Nims Theatre of the Performing Arts Center September 17 - 19, 24 - 26 at 7:30pm, and September 27, 2015 at 2:30pm.

Here Goes Nothing: Creating The Role Of Timothy Allgood In "Noises Off.", Justin G. Bupp

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Noises Off is the epitome of farce. Doors everywhere, mistaken identities, and unrequited love. The characters push themselves to the limit, both mentally and physically. They stop at nothing to put on their production and their stage manager, Timothy Allgood, becomes the babysitter of the group, which at times becomes comparable to herding cats.

This document describes the journey made from casting to final bows. It contains biographical research on the playwright, Michael Frayn, as well as a historical look at the genre of farce, techniques pioneered by Sanford Meisner and Konstantin Stanislavski, along with materials, including a scored script, …

894, Kathleen A. Bailey

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

An Actor's Method To Building The Character Of Hamlet In The Tragedy Of Hamlet, Prince Of Denmark, Samuel C. Malone Iii

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This thesis will set out to examine the process needed in order to deliver the character of Hamlet as a fully dimensional, complex human being who transcends time periods and class distinctions to connect with any audience of any background. This text will include biographical information about the author, William Shakespeare, as well as historical information about the circumstances and atmosphere surrounding the birth of this play. It will also include information about other performances, which will serve as references for comparison in terms of character development. Included in the scored actor’s script are the Sanford Meisner Techniques of moment-to-moment …