Theatre and Performance Studies Commons^™

"V Is For Violin" - An Original Playscript, Brittany Taylor

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As and MFA playwrighting candidate, I was given the opportunity to witness a fully realized production of my work. For this academic opportunity I chose the "V is for Violin." I will discuss the genesis of the idea, the evolution of the play, research conducted, and what I learned in the production process of the show.

Fragmenting Kill/Shot, Rachel Washington

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In "Fragmenting Kill/Shot", I will explore how my play Kill/Shot changed over the course of the rehearsal and production process. I will explain and defend stylistic choices I made for this play, including how the others on the production team interpreted those stylistic choices. Finally, I will explore how changes to the script can help protect the play from being misinterpreted in the future.

Exhuming Ophelia: A Feminist, Costume Design Exploration, Shelby M. Gable

Honors Theses

Ophelia is a character that has captivated and moved audiences since her first appearance onstage in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Prince of Denmark around the year 1600. Unfortunately, she represents a negative and slim representation of femininity that reflects a long-standing trend that has established a specific and limited iconic understanding of her character. As a feminist theatre maker I have undertaken a multi-phase approach to reconstructing Ophelia based on four separate approaches. First, I will examine how it is that Ophelia’s representation is harmful in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Second I will show how feminist readers and critics have approached the …

An Outsider Amongst Outsiders: Psychosocial Impact Of The Devil’S Backbone, The Orphanage, And Mama, Abigail M. Cathcart

Honors Theses

The horror movie genre has a history of developing stories that use both empathy and fear to reflect upon timeless cultural concerns. Guillermo del Toro’s works, The Devil’s Backbone, The Orphanage, and Mama, are contemporary examples of this formula at work. In this project, I intend to examine the sociality of these films according to the psychological theories of Freud’s “Uncanny” and Todorov’s “Fantastic.” Through these concepts, del Toro and his collaborators fashioned the issue of social isolation in a variety of ways to sculpt villains, victims, and families into entities that engender both our compassion and …

Dramaturgy: Kurt Well's 'Street Scene': An American Opera And The American Immigrant's Experience, Robert Hadaway

Dissertations, Theses and Capstone Projects

This paper is a reflection of the dramaturgical thesis project performed at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. The Theatre Department's production of Kurt Well's Street Scene was a platform of the project. In this paper, I explore the dramaturgical process and the connection of the production to American Studies.

Adapting To Eda : Embracing Change And Acting Accordingly., Tia Leshaun Davis 1989-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis serves to argue the importance of being able to embrace, promote and adapt to change in the pursuit of becoming a well-rounded artist. This thesis will chronicle my beginnings as a performing artist and show how the physical, spiritual and personal education I received from specific theatrical companies and academic institutions prepared me for my thesis roles and various production responsibilities in the University of Louisville production of Eda by Obotunde Ijimere, translated by Ulli Beier and directed by Nefertiti Burton. My education and willingness to embrace, promote and adapt to change allowed me to successfully immerse myself …

A Conversation With Rita Moreno: Examining The Employment Challenges Of The Latino Actor, Valente Rodriguez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Rita Moreno has worked as an actress for more than 70 years. Her first acting job was in the play Skydrift, on Broadway, at age 13, in 1944. She is in an unusual position having garnered all the major acting awards and the presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest award bestowed upon a non-military person in the United States. She is the only Latino EGOT as she has an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony, the top awards in the field of entertainment. I thought it would be interesting to ask her what her biggest challenge was in …

Women Wooing Men, Aisha Elizabeth Ratanapool

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Although many early modern English plays portray women courting men, I contend that there are significant resonances between the methods of Rosalind, the female protagonist from a Shakespearean comedy, and those of the Duchess, from a Websterian tragedy. Rosalind and the Duchess woo, propose to, and arrange the marriage ceremony between them and their love interests. The witty dialogue which permeates the wooing scenes helps establish a strong mental connection between Rosalind and Orlando and the Duchess and Antonio. I examine the motives behind wooing and comparatively analyze the strategies of these female characters. Through this analysis, I present Rosalind …

The Effects Of Instruction On Landing Strategies In Female College-Aged Dancers And Non-Dancers: A Pilot Study, Brittany Keating, Jason Pyfer, Kimberly Vialpando

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background Female athletic participation has increased over the past decade and with it the prevalence of knee injuries. Current research demonstrates an increased risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury for female athletes. However, a number of studies have pointed out that ballet and modern dancers exhibit a lower incidence of ACL injuries despite the fact that they perform jumping and landing frequently.

Objective The objective of this study was to examine how dance experience and instruction affect the lower extremity biomechanics during drop landings. Specifically, lower extremity joint alignment and muscle activation of gluteus maximus and gluteus medius were …

Recreating The Green-Eyed Monster : Iago For Modern Audiences., Travis Stolp

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is an examination of my approach to the role of Iago in William Shakespeare's Othello. The thesis explores my training as an actor and the struggles that have challenged me in the past. I then discuss my acting process for Iago in which specific imagery, sounds, and energies in Shakespeare's text influence my employment of Michael Chekhov's acting technique. By using this technique, I am able to make specific psychological and physical choices that authenticate my performance as a character who is not a racist villain, but a victim who suffers from multiple personality disorders. Through this approach, …

We Begin When We Finish When We Begin, Students Of Risd, Risd Archives

All Student Newspapers

We Begin When We Finish When We Begin was a graduate student publication published in 2015. It featured essays, interviews, and student work dealing with themes of identity, geography, academics, and student life. Students as well as faculty contributed.

Seasons Of Humanity In William Shakespeare's "As You Like It": The Costume Design Thesis Of "As You Like It", Cayla D. Greer

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis documents the design and build of the University of Arkansas production of As You Like It in the spring of 2014 in the University Theatre. It follows the development of the costume designs from initial costume sketches to completed costumes for a fully mounted stage production. The costume design process detailed here includes a script analysis, costume sketches and renderings, a detailed description and evaluation of the process.

The Artist: An Unexpected Journey, Jason Matthew Shipman

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is an effort to better understand the process of an actor. It contains documentation of my thesis performance along with materials such as a statement of artistry, my current headshot, an up to date resume, and a link to my professional website.

The Changing Role Of The Bass Clarinet: Support For Its Integration Into The Modern Clarinet Studio, Jennifer Beth Iles

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The bass clarinet of the twenty-first century has come into its own. Composers often treat it as a solo instrument and clarinetists are more often expected to play bass clarinet. In the last half of the twentieth century, the amount of literature for bass clarinet has grown and the quality of the instruments have improved exponentially. Still, most university studios focus primarily on B-flat clarinet. This document is intended as a pedagogical guide for the inclusion of the bass clarinet in the clarinet studio. As support for incorporating the bass clarinet into the undergraduate curriculum, this document describes three areas …

African American Student Theatre Organization Involvement And The College Experience At The University Of Nevada, Las Vegas, Crestcencia Lynn Ortiz-Barnett

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

There aren’t many studies pertaining to African American theater student organizations. This study examined the African American Student Association for Theatre and Film (AASATF) on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Five undergraduates and one graduate student were interviewed for this study. The thesis gives an overview of the history of AASATF, the need for the organization, and how participant involvement in AASATF affected their college experience. Administrators within the Fine Arts Department can utilize these findings to better serve the needs of their diverse students.

Zwischenfach – A Distinct Voice Type: A Study Of Fach Through Specific Roles In The Works Of Richard Wagner And Richard Strauss, Stephanie Weiss

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The term Zwischenfach has been described in a small number of papers, with the emphasis on its paradoxes and its lack of research. However, in none of these papers is there concrete evidence that the Zwischenfach should be considered a separate voice category rather than simply an “in-between” Fach. The goal of this paper is to explore the thesis that the Zwischenfach should be considered a separate and distinct Fach. Supporting evidence includes studies on tessitura, range, vowel usage, and the orchestration of roles, as examined in the arias of five characters in the operas of Wagner and Strauss. Establishing …

Living As Bathsheba Doran's Helena In "Kin", Stephanie Nicole Bignault

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is an exploration and reflection of my growth and development as an actor after three years of studies at the University of Arkansas. It includes a statement of artistry, a copy of the program from my thesis performance, a link to my actor website, a current headshot and resume, and my group thesis project script, Tender Comrades.

The Mission Of A Theatre Artist, Laura Shatkus

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis consists of materials documenting my thesis performance as well as a statement of artistry, a copy of my current headshot, and resume and a link to my website.

An Actor's Freedom, James Taylor Odom

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is an exploration and reflection on the discovery of an actor's freedom following an intense, three year study of the craft. It contains my statement of artistry, documentation of my thesis project and performance, as well as my future professional development materials.

Learn Your Lessons Well: A Director's Journey To Godspell, Brandon Dejuan Smith

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The following is documentation of my directorial approach and process leading up to the production of Godspell by Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak, at the University Theatre in the fall of 2014. The chapters will include the script selection process, casting, analysis, and creative team discussions.

The Servant Of Two Masters: Lighting Design, Tyler Harley

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

I served as the Lighting Designer for the Department of Theater and Dance spring semester production of The Servant of Two Masters. Work encompassed initial conceptual production research through final realized light design objectives in Strider Theater during performances on April 16-18. More specifically, research consisted of textual and visual analysis, computational understanding of the GIO lighting console, stage lighting equipment theory and functionality, color theory, and cueing analysis based on rehearsal outcomes. To translate research into a viable design, the following process elements were generated: Scene-by-Scene Light Score, Light Keys, Light Plot, Channel Hookup, Instrument Schedule, and Virtual Magic …

Performing Franz In Sunday In The Park With George, Evan T. Crump

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Performing Yvonne & Naomi In Sunday In The Park With George, Margaret Z. Wilder

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Performing Dot & Marie In Sunday In The Park With George, Judi L. Jackson

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Performing Old Lady & Blair Daniels In Sunday In The Park With George, Taryn E. Snyder

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

"Existing On A Continuum Of Intensity" Original Dance, Sarah Rot

Honors Theses

The following documents display the many aspects of my Graduating Dance Presentation, a culminating project of my choreographic, performance, and academic studies at Western Michigan University. This project displays my focus in both the fine arts, as well as the behavioral sciences, combining the two into a multi-dimensional project. This portfolio includes the technical, budgetary, and scheduling aspects of the project, as well as the analyses for my spatial design, music, and movement. Finally, there is a video of the dance portion of the project, which is the first piece featured in the concert.

Choosing The Right Steps: Management Decisions Of Dance Businesses, Jessica B. Rosina

Business and Economics Honors Papers

Fundamental dance researchers have found that dancers have some of the lowest Human Capital returns. Today, the average dancer has a median pay of $15.87. Only six percent of public schools offer dance as a part of their curriculum. This situation poses a threat to the transmission of culture in our country and will have negative impacts. Children receive little to no dance education in public schooling, leaving private dance education organizations as the only option left. Using a sample of 100 privately owned studios in the tristate area, business decisions will be analyzed to uncover the impact on enrollment.

Pc Dance Club Presents Its Spring Semester Show, Department Of Theatre, Dance & Film

Promotional Materials

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Angell Blackfriars Theatre, Smith Center for the Arts

Spring Semester Show

April 26, 2015

Pc Dance Club's Spring Semester Show Playbill, Department Of Theatre, Dance & Film

Promotional Materials

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Angell Blackfriars Theatre, Smith Center for the Arts

PC Dance Club's Spring Semester Show

Sunday, April 26, 2015, 4pm

Monday, April 27, 2015, 8pm

Choreographers: Katrina Pavao, Linh Truong, Ariel Cormier, Meghan Killian, Lexi White, Maddie Boffi, Caroline O'Sullivan, Elissa Stagliano, Christine Dragan, Kristen Jackowski, Krista Sevigny, Natalie Pino, Caitlin Conlon, Libby Jancsy, Mikai/a Christopher, Michelle Desjardins, Erin Hallisey, Cayla Barbour, Erin Hallisey, Kristen Jackowski, and Kelly Sullivan

Dancers: Cayla Barbour, Maddie Boffi, Mikaila Christopher, Caitlin Conlon, Michelle Desjardins, Christine Drogan, Erin Hallisey, Kristen Jackowski, Libby Jancsy, Meghan Killian, Caroline O'Sullivan, Katrina …

Spring Dance Concert 2015 Playbill, Providence College

Playbill and Promotion

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Providence College Dance Company

Spring Dance Concert 2015

Student Choreography Showcase

April 24 & 25

Director: Betsy Miller

Lightning Designer: Alison Simone '16

Choreographers: Kate Corrigan, Celia Butler, Megan Wheeler, Jillian Gentile, Ellie Wallace, Lauren Campbell, Maria Costa, Christina Potts, Laura Angley, Audrey Butler, Sarah Buller, Monica Houghton

Dancers: Laura Angley, Audrey Butler, Lauren Campbell, Maria Costa, Carly Furbush, Abigail Raser, Megan Wheeler, Celia Butler, Kate Corrigan, Meghan Frazier, Megan Ketchell, Christina Potts, Abby Garrahan, Isabella Goldstein, Lela Biggus, Sarah Buller, Emma Flanagan, Jillian Gentile, Ellie Wallace, Emma Lederer, Christina Corverse, Monica …