Theatre and Performance Studies Commons^™

Bioethics As Seen On Stage: Can Theater Change The World?, Sarah J. Cavanaugh

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Symposium

This research paper investigates the extent to which theatrical works can influence societal reform through the depiction of bioethical dilemmas through time, analyzing performative theater’s ability to change the world through great societal impact. By examining four plays from distinct historical periods—Philoctetes by Sophocles (409 BCE), Whose Life is it Anyway? by Brian Clark (1972), The Waiting Room by Lisa Loomer (1994), and Next to Normal by Brian Yorkey (2010)—this study analyzes how theater has consistently engaged with evolving issues of medical ethics and patient autonomy. Each play presents ethical conflicts reflective of the medical and social dilemmas of …

D2.09 Cultural Activity: Borges Posthumous Interview, Carlos Uncal, Courtney L. Self, Cristo Leon

10mo Coloquio Internacional de Estudios sobre Juegos de Rol

Descripción del evento: Actividad cultural transdisciplinaria que combina teatro, entrevista performativa e improvisación para presentar un encuentro imaginario con Jorge Luis Borges. La sesión inicia con una conversación guiada sobre literatura fantástica, mitología, filosofía, religión, historia y creación literaria. Posteriormente, el público podrá formular preguntas espontáneas y proponer palabras o frases que servirán como punto de partida para la improvisación de poemas originales. La actividad explora la relación entre interpretación teatral, participación del público, memoria cultural y creación colaborativa.

Event description: This transdisciplinary cultural activity combines theater, performative interviewing, and improvisation to stage an imagined encounter with Jorge Luis Borges. …

(Un)Easily Writing The Future, Stuart Moulthrop, Judith Pintar, John G. Mcdaid

ELO (un)supervised 2026

General Abstract: This panel brings together three experienced digital writers who have recently begun to explore Language Models and transformers in creative and academic practice.  Each of us will comment on recent experience and projects, reflecting on how these technologies alter the way we think of ourselves as writers and teachers.

[1] Judith Pintar, "The Non-applicability of Wishing due to Lack of Capacity".

Pintar will discuss her experience of facilitating Gemini AI in a Rogerian therapy session with an Eliza bot written in the Inform programming language. The session is occasionally interrupted with a meta-conversation with Gemini regarding its responses. …

Artura: Dance And Algorithmic Composition Informed By Motion And Spatial Processing, Aidan Byrnes

2026 Student Academic Showcase

This project is an experimental performance exploring dancers as musical instruments. With funding received through the Lindenwood PRIDE Mini-Cycle grant, a network of custom-built wearable sensors will be worn by two dancers to send data regarding orientation, motion, and position in 3D space. This data will be processed in custom software to translate this data into sound or other musical information in real-time. Rather than acting solely as accompaniment, the music will be derived directly from each dancer through gestures and motion. The generated musical material that one dancer creates will be responded to with improvisation by the other dancer. …

Water Feature Design For An Enemy Of The People, Rae Outland

Celebration of Research

The hot springs in the show An Enemy of the People is a crucial piece that is the main focus of the issue for the duration of the show. As the hot springs are never actually seen in the play, it was brought up in a design meeting that a water feature of sorts be made to show what the springs would look like, incorporate the audience, and invite them into the space we are creating.

This project took my blood, sweat, and tears--- all literally speaking. I had the privilege of unexpectedly getting to design in my freshmen year, …

Properties Design For The Little Prince, Ruthie Zimmerman

Celebration of Research

In designing properties for Antoine de Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince, I aligned with the director's vision of lush minimalism by using clear silhouettes with rich color and texture. Props design is the thread holding together the work of the scenic designer, costume designer, and for this show, the puppet designer, so I followed their aesthetic choices and repeated colors, textures, and materials in order to build a tactile, believable world.

Projection Design For The Little Prince, Melissa Thompson

Celebration of Research

As the projections and scenic designer for Northwestern's February 2025 production of The Little Prince, I encountered many challenges and much unfamiliar territory. This project taught me complex projection mapping, digital media design principles, and communication in a team setting.

Dramaturgical Research On Studs Terkel's “The Good War”, Emma K. Mcangus

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

This presentation reflects in-depth dramaturgical research and archival curation developed in support of Pepperdine University’s fall production of “The Good War.” Adapted from Studs Terkel’s oral history of World War II, the production uses verbatim theatre to stage lived experience with historical and ethical complexity. Grounded in Terkel’s interview-based methodology, the project examines not only wartime testimony but also the post-war trajectories of the individuals represented in the script, revealing the long aftermath of conflict and its enduring effects on personal and collective memory. A key component of the project involved compiling biographical information for each interview subject and transforming …

Amplified Voices: Zines, Theatre, And Open Pedagogy, Bethany B. Mickel, Amy Hunsaker

All Things Open

This interactive presentation highlights a collaborative open pedagogy project implemented in an undergraduate vocal theatre course. The scaffolded assignment guided students through research practices and source evaluation, culminating in the creation of student-authored zines focused on vocal warmups. Students explored the history of zines as small, often hand-designed publications rooted in self-expression, community knowledge-sharing, and alternative publishing, values closely aligned with open education practices.

Rather than producing a traditional research paper, students synthesized their findings into creative zines that center voice both pedagogically and literally. Throughout the project, students engaged in discussions about open licensing, authorship, and consent, making informed …

Developing Christian Artists: The Live Music Sphere, Camille Crites

Student Scholar Symposium

Christian/Gospel music was the fourth-fastest growing music genre in 2024, and many artists are seeking to enter the Christian music industry. This research seeks to examine the exploration of live music opportunities for Christian music artists in the developing stages of their careers. Every musical artist’s career consists of about five sectors: Songwriting/Publishing, Recording/Releasing Music, Live Music, Merch, and Sync (Film/TV). While parts like Songwriting and Recording are very accessible for new Christian artists, it can be challenging to know how to best approach the Live Music sector, one of the major sources of income for any performing artist. There …

Antigone In Munich Design/Vision, Sofia Hernandez, Saidee Hannel, Joylin Lescalleet, Emma Stanard, Kayla Beene

Student Scholar Symposium

Antigone in Munich was a fully student-led production. Through this presentation, the designers and director will discuss different tasks involved in the production, how the vision was accomplished, the challenges that were overcome, and what it meant to mount a mainstage production show with all students. The director, lighting designer, set designer, sound designer, and costume designer will discuss what it took to fulfill the vision of this beautiful story.

Antigone In Munich Scene Performance, Sofia Hernandez, Emma Ramsey, Rachel Penner

Student Scholar Symposium

In this presentation, two actors will portray the roles they played in a student production of Antigone in Munich for Lipscomb University Theatre's MainStage productions. The performance, which includes a combination of scenes from the play, will capture for audiences a feel of the show and the production team's vision.

Little Women Dramaturgical Research Packet, Elanah Bruce

Student Scholar Symposium

This will be an oral presentation reviewing a student's dramaturgical research for Lipscomb University Theatre's production of Little Women, including research collected, personal connection to the research, and production photos from the performances.

Swan Lake: Tchaikovsky's Lasting Influence On Ballet, Keely Hudspeth

Student Scholar Symposium

Russian ballet has had a significant influence on this dance form since at least the nineteenth century. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky had an especially pivotal role, writing works that placed increasing emphasis on the artistic importance of music in addition to the choreography. A study of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake exemplifies his new emphasis on music and the evolution of ballet in the late nineteenth century. My research surveys the early history of ballet and provides a brief biography of Tchaikovsky. Most of my work, however, is an analysis of the music (score) and choreography of Swan Lake—demonstrating Tchaikovsky’s emphasis on music …

From Concept To Stage: The Creation Of Costumes For Cats, Joylin Lescalleet, Phoebe Countryman

Student Scholar Symposium

This presentation will explore the creative and technical processes behind the creation of the costumes for the musical CATS, which was performed by Lipscomb’s Department of Theater in November 2024. It will entail the journey from conceptual renderings to stage-ready costumes.

Hamete Y Su Viaje Transformador, Matthew J. Dean

Homage to Alexander von Humboldt: Travels to and from Spain Throughout the Centuries / Homenaje a Alexander von Humboldt: Viajes hacia y desde España de todos los siglos

El Hamete de Toledo es un drama escrito por Lope de Vega. Cuenta la historia de un noble musulmán del norte de África que es capturado y esclavizado en España. Este artículo sitúa la acción en el contexto histórico, destacando las técnicas dramáticas a través de las cuales se revelara el viaje de transformación del protagonista.

"What Are The Chances?" Choreographic Process, Kloey Monthei, Janet Strzelec, Tricia Zweier

2025 Student Academic Showcase

My Senior Capstone Project for the Lindenwood Dance Program's Spring Concert explores the balance between randomness and planned structure in dance creation. Inspired by choreographer Merce Cunningham, who pioneered using chance methods (like flipping coins or rolling dice) to determine aspects of dance, I'm creating an original performance that blends intentional design with unexpected elements. This research-based project adapts Cunningham's innovative approach by developing my own system of randomization to generate movement combinations that I might not discover through traditional choreographic methods. Rather than following a linear narrative, the dance emerges through this experimental process where some elements are deliberately …

Sensory Inclusion In The Dance Classroom, Hannah Shafer

2025 Student Academic Showcase

Dance has historically been inaccessible to individuals with unique sensory perceptions of the world. Throughout this research project, viable ways of accommodating for these perceptions will be explored. This will be done through research and the testimonies of individuals who currently live with a unique sensory perception. Unique sensory perceptions are not limited to just neurodivergent individuals (those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, obsessive compulsive disorder, and more), but also for those who do not have the ability to use one or more of their senses. While the information is curated with the intent for dance classrooms, it can …

Proper Stance, Kassie Lane

Playwriting Contest

Setting: An unoccupied park at midday. Honking, people, and other city sounds can be heard in the background. Bianca and Timothy are walking towards the spot under the railroad bridge that goes over the park, where the rest of their small dance troupe is waiting.

Actors: Jamiya Haynes; Nicholas Washington; Matthew Sagols

Stage Directions: Hannah Grimm

Scorpion, Breane Barrios

Playwriting Contest

A young couple struggles with an unwanted intruder.

Director: Corinna Rodriguez

Actors: Chrissy Graham; Jimmy Kalal

Stage Director: Ryan Cosillo

Resilient Wild Violets, Bee Bishop

Playwriting Contest

Characters:

LESLIE is butch woman around late fifties/early sixties and is the owner of a local floral arrangement shop “The Green Carnation” that has been running since 1969.

DOROTHY is a frantic woman in her late teens/early twenties looking for some gardening help

Director: Morgan Erickson

Actors: Maddie Poorman; Lexi Schiro; Ethan Diaz

Stage Directions: Ethan Diaz

Her Hair, Avery Smith

Playwriting Contest

SETTING: Inside Keira’s bedroom. A door on the left side, a twin-sized bed in the back corner, and a desk with a full-body mirror on the right side of the room.

Director: Bre Auriemme

Actors: Sophia Marino; Ross Dumont Snider

Stage Directions: Neela Lugo

Dance Partner, Basil Jaber

Playwriting Contest

Setting: A modest, cozy living room with a TV.

Director: Ashley Chavez

Actors: Elyse Byron, Taylor Baird

Fitness Instructor/Stage Directions: Katrina Spencer Fenner

Composing The Music For Iphigenia Among The Taurians, Johnathan Hodges

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

This poster session outlines the music composition process for Pepperdine’s production of Iphigenia Among the Taurians, Jan. 28-Feb. 1, Dr. Bradley Griffin, Director. My presentation focuses on the challenges I had to overcome, my goals and objectives, and finding the right sound for the score.

Costuming Hamlet, Marissa Leraas, Robert Hubbard

Celebration of Research

Combining elements from both Medieval and Renaissance eras, while mixing in a little Nordic flair, I want the costumes of Northwestern's production of Hamlet to be a representation of the times while avoiding ordinary drabness. The costumes will be clear silhouettes that speak to the history of the play, but be built in colors that bring Shakespeare's story to a vibrant life. Color schemes will help tell the story through family tree connections and bring a rare pop to this tragedy. Throughout each piece there will be a unique combination of historical accuracy and the touch of a designer's imagination.

Cooking In Times Of Oppression, Dorota Koczanowicz

Dublin Gastronomy Symposium

In 2017, Marije Vogelzang's interactive performance at the Museum of Rotterdam, 'Black Confectti', was designed to enable the experience of a difficult wartime past. Using authentic recipes from the war press, she prepared dishes based on the creativity of the crisis. In the face of starvation and the struggle for life, the selflessness of creative action in the kitchen and the effort of documentation in the form of recipes from the past and culinary fantasies from the past proved to be a helpful tool for surviving the most oppressive situation. The effectiveness of this strategy is clearly demonstrated not only …

Recognizing Traps And Frightening Wolves: Foxes And Lions As A Representative Of Machiavellian Political Ideology In Shakespeare’S Comedies, Grace A. Powell

Student Scholar Showcase

While William Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets have been discussed time and time again over the past few centuries, one topic that has been less traversed is the connection between his Comedies and Niccolò Machiavelli’s political ideologies. This project will explore references of lions and foxes in Shakespeare’s Comedies and the leaders and monarchs within them to determine how beliefs about Machiavelli’s political ideology influenced Shakespeare’s literature and became symbols for leadership and power. This project will be important for gaining historical context on Machiavellian political discourse and how it was represented in the contemporary dramatic literature of William Shakespeare. I …

Creating Consent Based Spaces In The Performing Arts, Laura Rikard

SC Upstate Research Symposium

In 1849 when Duke Saxe Meiningen created the role of the modern director in theatre he created an authoritarian model for creative power over production that would be replicated for the next one hundred and fifty years in the performing arts. This leadership model led to a performing arts industry reliant on performances being obedient and not fostering environments where creative collaboration can thrive. It created confusion between what it means to say, “yes” from a point of view of survival and not from a place of consent. For true collaboration to thrive in the product and process oriented spaces …

Echoes Of Harlem: Selective Realism In Blues For An Alabama Sky, Grant Mcgee, Ruben Monsivais, Maddie Watkins, Drake Willis

Undergraduate Research Conference

Blues for an Alabama Sky is about a family of friends struggling with materialistic themes such as the Great Depression and the economic hardship that came after the Harlem Renaissance. As designers, Blues for an Alabama Sky is a play where it's important to show the black experience during the Great Depression and the Harlem Renaissance, create a space the audience feels they can relate closely to, and help the audience feel the emotion and the characters' need to escape from, or succeed out of, their current environment.

Revolutionizing Theatrical Lighting Design Through Virtual Reality (Vr) Technology, Jonathan Graves

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.