Mormon Studies Commons^™

The Divine Feminine Reframed: Dogma And Doctrine, Icon And Flesh, And The Sacred Embodiment Of Reclamation, Natasha Keckley

Dance (MFA) Theses

This thesis interrogates Marian iconography and its role in constructing a moral binary that marks female bodies as either sanctified or sinful. Drawing on feminist and postcolonial theory, iconographic analysis, and historical case studies, the research analyzes how Christian symbology established the Marian Mold: a theological aesthetic apparatus that exalts feminine sanctity through ideals of virginity, obedience, and maternal receptivity while constraining feminine expression. This paradigm, propagated through the British Empire’s colonial regimes, shaped the regulation and reinterpretation of embodied traditions. The thesis investigates these dynamics through two case studies: the Devadasi tradition and Bharatanatyam’s reformulation in South India, and …

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 …

Postcolonialism And The Missionary Experience In The Book Of Mormon, Diana Witt

James Madison Undergraduate Research Journal (JMURJ)

In their irreverent 2011 musical, The Book of Mormon, writer-composers Matt Stone, Trey Parker, and Robert Lopez satirize the work of Mormon missionaries. This paper analyzes the musical's book and lyrics, its cultural context and reception, and postcolonial scholarship. The paper argues that while The Book of Mormon operates as a postcolonialist text by critiquing cultural hegemony, it also reinforces stereotypes and practices present in colonization like othering and cultural colonialism.

The Salt Lake Theatre: Brigham's Playhouse, Kenneth L. Alford Ph.D., Robert C. Freeman Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

A history of the Salt Lake Theatre (dedicated in 1862).

Illuminating Theatre / Ariel Davis : Utah Innovator, J. Michael Hunter

Faculty Publications

The general history of stage lighting and of lighting in the Salt Lake Theatre are described. Ariel Davis (1912-1997) was a famous inventor of theatrical lighting equipment. He grew up in Provo and graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU).

Theatre In Pioneer Utah, J. Michael Hunter

Faculty Publications

The performance of theater and drama in Utah and the buildings that housed them are described. Theater was an important community project from the earliest days of Mormon settlement in Utah, beginning with the Social Hall. The Salt Lake Theatre opened in 1862 and until its demolition in 1928 was an important theater in the American West. Theater was a community project by the Mormon settlers of the Salt Lake Valley under the leadership of Brigham Young.

The Memory And The Legacy: The Whittlin' Whistlin' Brigade-- The Young Company, 1974-2001, Ruthanne Lay Crow

Theses and Dissertations

“The Memory and The Legacy: The Whittlin' Whistlin' Brigade–The Young Company 1974-2001,” is a history of the children's theatre of Brigham Young University. The Whittlin' Whistlin' Brigade–The Young Company acts as a training ground for graduate students working in theatre for young audiences. When directing a production for the Whittlin' Whistlin' Brigade–The Young Company, students are instructed to perform all functions required of a professional company. As the Whittlin' Whistlin' Brigade–The Young Company (WWB–TYC) spends much of its performance time on tour, those responsibilities are relegated to the student.

Developed and headed by Dr. Harold R. Oaks of Brigham Young …

Because Of Thy Exceeding Faith: A Choreographic Portrayal Of Women In The Book Of Mormon, Wendy L. Bone

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is a choreographic exploration that illuminates and defines moments in the lives of women who are mentioned in the Book of Mormon. These women are Sariah; the wife of King Lamoni and Abish, her servant; and the Ammonite mothers of Helaman's two thousand stripling warriors. It is through these stories that their faith was evident. By understanding the roles these women played in the history of the Book of Mormon, we can use their example to strengthen our own testimonies.
It was discovered through this process that, although one can read about the life of another, a deeper …

Dance And Doctrine: Shaker And Mormon Dancing As A Manifestation Of Doctrinal Views Of The Physical Body, Lindsy Stewart Cieslewicz

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis compares the dancing of the Shakers (The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearance) and the Mormons (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or LDS Church) during the nineteenth century, as it was influenced by their doctrinal beliefs about the human body. Specifically, it examines how the role of the physical body in achieving mortal happiness and immortal salvation was viewed by each group and how these beliefs were reflected in their dancing. It describes the different forms of dancing performed by each religious group and how dance functioned as worship and recreation for the …

The Choreography And Production Of "Jacob Five: A Journey Into The Olive Vineyard", Laurie Behunin

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of choreographing "Jacob Five: A Journey into the Olive Vineyard" was to artistically express a religious allegory in order to praise God as well as to bring the audience, dancers, and choreographer to a new understanding of the passage from which it was derived. The 39-minute dance was presented April 10, 1993 as a dance fireside. Following the performance, an informal discussion was held to give the audience an opportunity to respond to the dance. These comments were considered and recorded as part of the evaluation of this thesis. Both the thesis and video of "Jacob Five: A …

History Of Theatre And Theatre Curriculum At Ricks College, Rexburg, Idaho, Through 1981, John Thomas Bidwell

Theses and Dissertations

This history of theatre at Ricks College provides the only comprehensive written work available on the subject. Whenever available, the thesis provides the reader with concise information concerning plays performed, their authors, the directors, performance dates, and performance locations. Changes and growth in course curriculum offerings, physical facilities, and faculty have been recorded as well. The work reveals that Ricks College theatre has been a vital contribution to theatre in the Upper Snake River valley of Southeastern Idaho.

This comprehensive history will serve as a resource for future departmental planning in the Department of Theatre at Ricks College, and for …

Mormon Montage: Mormons In The World: A Production Script, Kris Marele Morgan

Theses and Dissertations

This project makes available material that will help help drama directors cast young people in an improvisational show. This thesis includes suggestions for try-outs, a play manuscript with specific stage directions understandable to an inexperienced director, preparation exercises to help actors develop necessary dramatic skills, an index to these exercises arranged by areas of skill development, notes to the director, an extensive bibliography, and additional references for further research. The exercises can also be used for development of actors in any production and may be applied to education programs.

The play "Mormon Montage" concerns Mormon contributions to such fields as …

Samuel Brannan: An Historical Play, Reed Davidson Turnbow

Theses and Dissertations

The play, Samuel Brannan, is the final result of a careful study of the history of Samuel Brannan. The information which has been selected to serve as the base for the plot was gleaned from the works of historians, letters written by Samuel, and individual journals. Although license has been taken with historical facts by the playwright in order to make this play theatrical, the play is based upon authentic happenings.
The play is concerned with the events of Brannan's life, his unusual successes, and subsequent failures. It also treats his character, his attitudes, his beliefs, and the factors which …

Dance In The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints 1830-1940, Karl E. Wesson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compile a history of dance in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1830 to 1940.
The following subproblems have been investigated:
1. What was the history of dance in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
2. What was the philosophy of dance in the LDS Church?
3. What were the dance forms, music, and attire in dance within the LDS church?
4. What was the contribution of the LDS Church towards the preservation of folk dances in America?

Nathan And Ruth Hale: People, Producers, Playwrights, Performers, Sheryl Lee Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

In this study the following hypotheses are examined: 1. Nathan and Ruth Hale have made significant contributions to the L.D.S. Church and to the theatre; 2. The theatres operated by the Hales have demonstrated that it is possible and profitable to run a theatre in accordance with L.D.S. Church standards and ideals; 3. Theatre of this type has an audience, and in fact, is demanded by communities; 4. Artists in the theatre can be a forceful missionary tool for the Church.
The following methods were used to ascertain this information: the Hales, actors, directors, and members of the community were …

Survey Of Converts To The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints At Brigham Young University Between September, 1965 And January, 1969, Marcus H. White

Theses and Dissertations

Since becoming a student at brigham young university in September, 1965, the writer has been interested in the area of persuasion as it relates to public speaking, and especially as it relates to stake missionary activities. The purpose in this thesis is to determine selected characteristics of converts as listeners from Brigham Young University to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and compare them with characteristics determined by Audience Analysis by Wayne C. Minnick in his book "The Art of Persuasion".

The Development Of Structured Situations For Role-Playing In The Lds Department Of Seminaries And Institutes Of Religion, Roy E. Welty

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to:
1. Provide information on the uses of role-playing that show its relationship to religious education.
2. Provide information on how to develop role-playing situations and use them in educational settings.
3. Develop some sample situations which may be used by other teachers.

An Experimental Theatre Approach To A Mormon Theme Using The Work Of The Open Theatre As Prototype, Dionis C. Spitzer

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to discover those experimental theatre techniques which can best express a Mormon theme: that one must become as a child to enter the kingdom of God. This thesis concludes from the resultant production, An Afternoon's Work, that certain theatrical techniques are powerful tools for the expression of any theme; that the work of the Open Theatre can be used for Mormon ends as long as the actor and director know exactly what they want to say and refine the techniques for that purpose.

The ideology behind experimental theatres such as the Open Theatre …

Three Mormon Actresses: Viola Gillette, Hazel Dawn, Leora Thatcher, Mavis Gay Gashler

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to recreate the theatrical lives of three Mormon actresses through an appraisal of the critical reviews of the press, the primary source of available material.

A Design Study In Costume For Projected Dramatic Productions Prescribing A Book Of Mormon Setting Identified Herein As Late Preclassic Mesoamerican Culture, Amanda J. Brown

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to design costumes for twelve characters, selected from the Book of Mormon, suitable for projected dramatic productions. Selection of the characters was determined by the following criteria:
(1) Sufficient dramatic potential for projected dramatic productions must be inherent in the period from which characters are drawn.
(2) Characters should represent various levels within their society.

The problem of creating the costume designs presumed an investigation of environmental factors which would influence the clothing styles worn by a typical cross section of Late Preclassic Mesoamerican society. Origins of the American Indian are briefly discussed and …

A Study Of Public Speaking Abilities Of Lds Youth, Robert W. West

Theses and Dissertations

This study deals with public speaking among teenagers. It is the sincere hope of the writer that this thesis may challenge young people and help motivate them to become better speakers. If it does this then it is partly successful. It may point out some weaknesses and habits in their own style of speaking that are handicaps rather than assets. It may also show some of the strong points of teenage public speaking in general, the writer hopes it will help young speakers want to overcome the trifles of poor speech habits to make their speaking nearer perfection.

Only There Were Two: An Original Play In Three Acts, Ronald A. Dalley

Theses and Dissertations

Only There Were Two, a full-length three-act play, is written as a reminder to us all of the faith and endurance of a handful of Mormon settlers. I have endeavored to capture the dramatic spirit of a man who would not let bigotry and prejudice run him from his home.

Desert Journey: A Religious Dance-Drama And An Evaluation Of Its Effect On A Selected Latter-Day Saint Audience, Frank W. Hatch

Theses and Dissertations

The Holy scriptures abound in references to the use of dance as a means of worship. It would seem that there is a need to understand how present day members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints feel in regard to the kind of dancing referred to in the Scriptures.

This study will be concerned with the production of "Desert Journey," a religious dance-drama depicting an episode from the Book of Mormon. A record of "Desert Journey" will be made with a movement notation system adapted from Motation, an architectual movement notation system developed by Laurence Halprin of …

An Evaluation Of The Beginnings, Purposes, And Influence Of Drama In Ogden From 1840 To 1900, Harold R. Oaks

Theses and Dissertations

During the latter half of the nineteenth century Utah was undergoing physical and cultural colonization. Four months after the first Mormon pioneers arrived in the valley of the Great Salt Lake, the site of Ogden city had been purchased from Miles Goodyear. The city developed slowly during its first twenty years, but when the railroad joined at Promontory Point in 1869, Ogden became the junction of East and West. The city experienced a peculiar economic and cultural boom not known elsewhere in the Mountain West or along the railroad due to the predominately Mormon population which now was imposed upon …

The History Of The Drama In Corinne And Brigham City, Utah, 1855-1905, Rue Corbett Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

It is hoped that through the inclusion of the history of the drama in Corinne, Utah, some interesting contrasts can be shown. Such contrasts are heightened when it Is realized that geographically the two towns are very close and that unlike Brigham City, and other Utah towns, Corinne was non-Mormon. During its zenith it undoubtedly reflected the typical frontier town characteristics more than did the Mormon town nearby. This fact provides opportunity for comparison of two societies as reflected in their dramatic activities. This comparison should assist in evaluating the history and contributions of Mormon dramatic activity by helping to …

History Of Drama In Provo, 1853-1897, Burnett B. Ferguson

Theses and Dissertations

This study will present as complete and accurate a history of the drama of Provo, from the earliest recorded activity (1853) to the decline of community theatre (1897), as available data provide.