Theatre and Performance Studies Commons^™

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 …

The Acting Career Of Dean Jagger, Crae James Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to follow the acting career of Dean Jagger through a list of theatrical productions, motion pictures, radio and television appearances. The study will also include a brief biography of his life and personal philosophies which contribute to the success of the actor and the person.

The study will follow an appraisal of personal interviews with Mr. Jagger and his wife, information gained from the "Dean Jagger Collection" located at Brigham Young University Manuscrips Library, and critical review and interviews with his fellow actors.

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 …

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.

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".

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.