Theatre and Performance Studies Commons^™

The Exodus Experiment: Theatrically Bridging The Cultural Gap, Kari Hatfield

Theses and Dissertations

As a theatre professional and a practicing Christian, I have found it very difficult to bring my two worlds together. Theatre is a tool for education, discussion, and understanding. In my work on this project, I have explored the ways in which theatre can and cannot help us understand each other on the volatile subjects that divide our contemporary culture: homosexuality and religion. Twenty-nine people with various backgrounds and worldviews were interviewed for this project. The words from these interviews were used to create the beginnings of a script for a play that explores the issues of homosexuality, religion, and …

The Civil War: A Collaboration In Direction And Choreography, Cara E. Rawlings

Theses and Dissertations

This text is a partial record of the development of the Virginia Commonwealth University production of The Civil War: A Musical that opened on April 7, 2005 for a three-week run ending April 28, 2005. The greater part of the text is devoted to the evaluation of the underlying principles of direction and choreography applied in the creation of an artistically aid financially successful production of this size. Included in the evaluation of The Civil War: A Musical are analyses of the directors' --Patti D'Beck and David Leong --individual creative processes, aesthetics, and working styles. The result of this evaluation …

An American Actor's Dialect, Michael J. Bruckmueller

Theses and Dissertations

Over the course of the past ten years, both studying and teaching Voice & Speech for the Actor, I have become frustrated with the status quo of so called 'standard speech'. The two dialects that I have studied in depth are Edith Skinner's 'American Classical Stage Standard' and Kenneth Crannell's 'Career Speech'. I have found something lacking in both the Skinner dialect and Crannell's 'Career Speech'. Yet, I believe that each has a strength from which the other could benefit. The specificity of the Skinner dialect makes 'American Classical Stage Standard' not only easy to learn but also an excellent …

The Doubtful Hero: An Artist's Journey, Heather N. Falks

Theses and Dissertations

THE DOUBTFUL HERO: AN ARTIST’S JOURNEY

By Heather N. Falks, MFA

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts in Theatre at Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University, 2015

Director: Noreen Barnes

Graduate Studies Director, Department of Theatre

This thesis documents my role as director of Time Tells, an ensemble based, multi-media, devised theatre piece. I address my specific responsibilities when leading an ensemble to create new work and produce it for the public. I identify the problems the ensemble faced and account how I mediated when dealing with conflict. …

Combat Dance:A Creatively Holistic Approach To Movement Performance Art, Raymont Lee Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

"Combat Dance" is an eclectic blend of combat and dance art forms combined and taught from the Fall 2001 to Spring 2003. As defined here, combat dance is a blend of techniques and principles gleaned from both unarmed and armed aspects of stage combat, martial arts (such as aikido and kung fu), modern dance and other expressive movements used to tell a story of conflict. Its primary purpose is to provide both actors and non-actors greater awareness and control of their bodies and to provide a range of creative avenues of expression. Combat dance gives the performers a unique and …

Searching For The Impossible Dream, Staging The Impossible Script, Timothy A. Brien

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is an exploration of the novella The Malady of Death by Marguerite Duras and my subsequent production of this book. It covers Duras' history and influences in writing this book while at the same time gives an account of all my directorial attempts with this piece. With regards to Duras, the influence of the nouveau roman writers in the mid twentieth century and her relationship at the time of her writing Malady is discussed. For my part, I divulge my initial exposure to the piece, the previous attempts to stage the work, my latest attempt with extensive research, …

Producing Play From Page To Stage, Melissa Anne Hurt

Theses and Dissertations

Producing Play from Page to Stage describes my experience producing and directing Samuel Beckett's Play. Chapter One, "Conception," includes my process of preproduction work, arranging rehearsal times and establishing goals. Chapter Two, "The Creative Process," includes all components of the creative process—rehearsal progress, working with a vocal coach, understanding and working with the light, and the incorporation of music. Chapter Three, "Challenges and Obstacles," speaks specifically of the difficulties with the technical elements and the many diverse roles as producer. Chapter Four, "Performances," includes excerpts from my journal for each performance and Chapter Five, "Reflections," includes my actors' reflections of …

The Informed Imagination: Researching And Building A Character’S Identity, Jeremy William Hilgert

Theses and Dissertations

An actor’s duty to the play is to present the most fully formed and vivid interpretation of the character. To do so, the actor must have an understanding of how that particular character developed their own sense of identity. This should be constructed not from the actor’s personal experience but from an informed imaginative experience founded on research and analysis. As pedagogues we are challenged with attempting to give young actors the skills for such an analysis. I have developed a formula to aid the actor in creating the foundations for such an interpretation founded upon the sociological understanding of …

Staging The Illusion Director As Magician, Steven Harders

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis serves as an examination of the process I underwent to arrive at answers to those questions. Chapter I examines differences between Pierre Corneille's seventeenth century L'Illusion Comique and Kushner's modern-day adaptation. Chapter II takes a closer look at textual analysis specific to Kushner's adaptation. Chapter III documents pre-rehearsal and designer collaboration. Chapter IV follows the production process from casting to performances. This chapter also includes many of the problems encountered and solutions reached. Chapter V, the summary, includes an assessment of the entire process, including; rehearsals, production, and my role as director. A summary of audience evaluations also …

Eighteenth Century Men's Civilian Waistcoats, Frances Burroughs Loba

Theses and Dissertations

A number of general studies of the history of eighteenth century men's clothing have been written by authors such as Zilla Halls, Avril Hart, and Norah Waugh. However, a cursory review of costume literature reveals a lack of academic study on specific men's garments and their history. This work focuses on documenting the development of eighteenth century men's waistcoats using the artifacts themselves. The purpose of using extant waistcoats is to study closely their construction and decorative details with close attention to the similarities and differences in the style, cut and assembly of the garments.

A Description Of The Theatre Curriculum At Hopewell High School, Don P. Mcmillan

Theses and Dissertations

The theatre curriculum at Hopewell High School began eleven years ago with one course; it now has expanded to three courses. Because the last course in the sequence may be repeated for credit, a student in this curriculum may earn four credits in theatre study.

The first course is English 124, entitled Drama I, and it may be taken by students in grades 9 through 12. This course introduces the student to performing in pantomime, improvisation, and in scripted scenes. The second course is English 125, entitled Drama II, which is open to students in grades 10 through 12 who …

The Use Of Music And Art As Directorial Tools In A Production Of Kevin O'Morrison's Ladyhouse Blues, Roseann Sheridan

Theses and Dissertations

Human beings make decisions every minute of the day. These decisions are based upon need, desire, impulse, mood, and knowledge. As we grow older, we learn skills in decision-making primarily through trial-and-error. The theatre artist, likewise, is constantly searching for new skills and techniques to aid this process. In life and in art, however, decision-making is not totally grounded in intellect but includes inst1inctive and emotional sensations. It is through finely blending intuitive responses with intellectual skills that a work of theatre art can be produced. In order to accomplish this blending however, the director needs first to identify his …

Poe Per Se, Robert Williamson Storrs Iv

Theses and Dissertations

There are four elements involved in this production of Poe per se which make it interesting and suitable as a thesis: the actor, the subject, the format, and the audience. I will discuss the problems posed by each and the methods of attack I will pursue to those problems. I will then describe the evolution of the script from research through performance. My conclusion will be an assessment of the success of the script in solving my acting problems.

Scenic And Lighting Designs For Lanford Wilson's Fifth Of July, Rudolf Herman Roggenkamp

Theses and Dissertations

In the fall of 1981 I came to the point in my studies where it became necessary to choose a thesis project. The standard procedure in the Department of Theatre at Virginia Commonwealth University is to have design students do set designs for one of the mainstage productions as their thesis project.

At the time that the thesis proposal was due the 1981-1982 season had not been decided upon, so I submitted a proposal stating that I would design a "mainstage production for Theatre V.C.U." as my project and that the documentation of this project would be my thesis. I …

Wolf: A Screenplay, Thompson Crane-Baker

Theses and Dissertations

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts in Theatre at Virginia Commonwealth University.

The Invalid: A Play, Robert Blumenstein

Theses and Dissertations

A playwright is confronted with a barrage of problems each time he attempts to write a playscript. As each problem is either solved, eliminated, or worked out on its own, the play grows closer to its life upon the stage. In writing The Invalid, I was spared not one of the many problems a playwright faces when he writes a play. am certain that I not only encountered, but solved many of the same problems that other writers encounter, in a manner not unlike their own. In fact, in this introduction, I present a few thoughts by other playwrights who …

To Clothe A Fool : A Study Of The Apparel Appropriate For The European Court Fool 1300 - 1700, Virginia Lee Futcher

Theses and Dissertations

In order to design a costume for a period show, a costumer must unify the personality of the character in the appropriate historical style with the director's concept for the production. My study endeavors to aid the costumer in search of the historical clothes of the Medieval and Renaissance court Fool. Lack of time to do extensive research often imposes limitations on a designer's creativity. Through extensive research. into Medieval and Renaissance art, with the aid of Robert Armin's jest book, and descriptions of the household accounts of the period, I have compiled a document that will save a harried …

Letter From Meredith Monk To Richard Carlyon, 1968 February 29, Meredith Monk

Bang Arts Festival Documents

Typewritten letter from Meredith Monk to Richard Carlyon [misspelled Carline in the letter], dated February 29, 1968. Monk inquires about performing at RPI, per suggestion of Yvonne Rainer. Enclosed are several news clippings reviewing Monk's work.

Performance Notes, R. Carlyon, Bird Park Lake: A Vue Gram, Bang Arts Festival 1966, Richard Carlyon

Bang Arts Festival Documents

A single page of performance notes from Richard Carlyon about the March 22, 1966 performance of "Bird Park Lake: A Vue Gram." Typewritten text with handwritten marginalia. Transcription of handwritten notes: "(From R. Carlyon's Notes), projectionists: Carlton Gunn, Sam West, Robert Barefoot, Carlton Gunn, Sam West, William Livingston were students at RPI, C.A. & D. Dept."