Theatre and Performance Studies Commons^™

Head To Toe: What Do We Think About Heels Dance?, Peyton Winsett

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Through both observation as a dance consumer and personal experience as a dance student, heels dance has noticeably risen in prominence within the commercial dance industry in recent years. This style has primarily been showcased through professional dance classes and in commercial and concept video projects. This study seeks to understand the reasons behind this sudden growth in appeal, the potential social implications of this increasing popularity, and the varying perspectives on this style across generations. It synthesizes past research and analyzes a survey conducted with current students in Chapman University's dance department. This presentation will investigate the motivations driving …

Irving Berlin's White Christmas, Parkland College

Parkland Theatre

Based upon the Paramount Pictures Film

Written for the screen by Norman Krasna,
Norman Panama and Melvin Frank

Music and lyrics by Irving Berlin

Book by Dave Ives and Paul Blake

Original stage production directed by Walter Bobbie
Orchestrations: Larry Blank
Vocal and Dance Arrangements: Bruce Pomahac

Director: Chelsea Collier
Music Director: Cheryl Forest Morganson
Choreographer: Krishna Thomas
Stage Manager: AJ Cornell
Scenic Designer: Molly Ilten
Lighting Designer: Rob Perry
Costume Designer: Sheri Doyle
Sound Designer/Audio Engineer: Logan Dirr
Properties: Cindy Adamek
Wigs and Makeup Design: Michael Steen

December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 at 7:30pm
December 8, 15 …

Was It Good? A Look At The Golden-Ticket Question Of Societal Preferences In Theatre, Carina Leland

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

What makes theatre “good?” There are some common answers that critics and the public agree upon, but the guidelines of good theatre have changed greatly throughout history. Many playwrights and critics have created philosophies that attempted to define popular theatre in their time or according to their personal views. Today’s opinion on “good” has its own set of characteristics that the majority of society enjoys, which is unique from any historical manifesto. Furthermore, our modern consensus doesn’t take into account the wildly different nature of individual preferences; while I enjoy light-hearted coming-of-age stories, others find deeper satisfaction from a thought-provoking …

Our Town, Lynn University

Drama Programs

Winner of the 1938 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Described by Edward Albee as "the greatest American play ever written," Our Town presents the small town of Grover's Corners in three acts: "Daily Life," "Love and Marriage," and "Death and Eternity." Narrated by a stage manager and performed with minimal props and sets, the play depicts the simple daily lives of the Webb and Gibbs families as their children fall in love, marry, and eventually—in one of the most famous scenes in American theatre—die.

Directed by Alan Saban

By Thornton Wilder

Predictors Of Mystical Experiences In The Electronic Dance Music Scene, Cody Edward Lesniak

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The present study examined the nature and frequency of reported mystical experiences within the Electronic Dance Music (EDM) scene and the roles psychedelic and psychedelic-like substances, set, and setting play in facilitating these experiences. Participants were recruited using posts on a variety of EDM-related Facebook groups (EDM, EDM Universal, EDM Festivals and Raves, etc.) and Reddit threads (bonaroo, electricdaisycarnival, RavesAndRavers, etc.). Participants completed a self-report survey consisting of questions pertaining to their involvement in the EDM scene, motives for attendance at EDM events, motives for drug use, importance of the values of peace, love, unity, and respect (PLUR), the proportion …

Body As Instrument: Crafting A Spatial Representational Language For The Dancer's Body, Avery Boland

Architecture Undergraduate Honors Theses

This project explored the intersection of dance and architecture using choreography, photography, and architectural principles through the development and application of a graphic notation system. Focused on the works of modern dance pioneer Martha Graham and photographer Barbara Morgan, the study tested the representation of the body in space through the use of Graham's choreography as captured by Morgan.

The results of the study demonstrated the effectiveness of the representational language in capturing the spatial dynamics of the human body in Martha Graham's choreography through the notation of “frame” and “plane”. Through a comparative analysis of the selected dances, the …

Exploring The Impact Of Using Mirrors Versus Not Using Mirrors In An Intermediate High School Dance Class, Melanie Monnich

Master's Theses

The purpose of the study was to understand the use of mirrors vs. not using mirrors in the high school classroom. This thesis also expanded on research done in the last twenty years regarding students' relationship to the mirror and how educators could better use or not use the mirror in the classroom. The researcher asked five essential questions that guided this thesis:

Q1 How does using mirrors vs. not using mirrors affect a student's body image in a high school dance class?

Q2 Is it necessary to always use mirrors in the classroom as a learning tool for students? …

Fostering Creative Bravery: Exploring Innovation Among Future Female Pioneers In Dance Through Historical Composition Studies, Marlo Daron Harris

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate if learning from the innovative methods of past female choreographers could enhance the creative abilities of today’s young high school female dancers and dance-makers. This thesis aimed to teach young dancers about past dance pioneers and build confidence in young women when creating dances. Women have paved the way for dance choreography and innovative techniques throughout dance history. However, today’s generation of young choreographers rely on imitating movements they witness at dance competitions and on social media such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok instead of becoming originators.

This thesis aimed to answer …

Building Foundations For Success: A Study On Aligning Expectations And Realities In College Dance Programs, Ashley Walker Anderson

Master's Theses

The purpose of this research study was to take the information gathered from surveys and interviews with the participants and analyze the impact of the gaps between their expectations and realities, and the gap between the overall effectiveness and success of college dance programs in preparing students for their post-graduation goals. The goal of the researcher was to answer the following questions.

Q1 What factors determine where dancers attend college?

Q2 Are high schoolers making their college wish list based on prestige, faculty, performance opportunities, tuition cost, course requirements, career goals, or perhaps a combination of multiple factors?

Q3 Are …

Crafting Affective Engagement: The Impact Of Choreography And Design Choices On Audience's Emotional Experience In Dance Performances, Amy Morton

Master's Theses

This thesis explored how the engagement level of dance spectators influenced the lasting impressions they retain from a performance and whether these impressions can expand and sustain audience interest in dance. The purpose of the study was to identify the most engaging elements of an aerial dance concert. The study emphasized the significance of creating choreography that evokes emotional responses to advocate for dance education, community engagement, and the preservation of the art form. By examining a site-specific aerial dance concert, this research identified the elements that captivated audiences, particularly the contrast between aerial and ground-based performances.

The research addressed …

Selected Projects In Scenic And Props Design, Melanie E. Valera Garcia

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

This plan B paper is a compilation of four projects in which I had the opportunity to participate during my years in the master's program, four scenic projects and one on properties. The paper is divided into four chapters: Pinocchio Teatrale, The Boy at the Edge of Everything, Driving Miss Daisy and Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson Apt 2B. Each chapter has an introduction, a synopsis of the play, a descriptive design process, the execution of its design and a final evaluation.

Social Justice In Dance: The Exploration Of Dance As A Tool For Promoting, Recognizing And Influencing Change, Michelle O'Konis Linnehan

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to prove that dance could be used as a platform for representation and to foster change within the community and beyond. This purpose aligned with the goal, which was to measure the impact of a structured choreographic curriculum on student engagement with social justice topics. The goal of this study was to answer the following research questions:

Q1 Can dance be a tool in promoting social justice?

Q2 How will students in the classroom respond to an integrated social justice theme through dance and production components?

Q3 How will these topics be interpreted to …

The Show Must Go On: Leading Factors In The Burnout Of Stage Managers, Morgen E. Doyle

Honors College Theses

Stage managers are the key to making theatre move onstage and in the audience. To keep the show, we need to take care of our stage managers. Many have voiced concerns about burnout from their time in the stage management industry (McGraw 2024, 12). Burnout can be defined as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed” and characterized by three main dimensions: “energy depletion and exhaustion; feelings of cynicism and increased mental distance related to the individual’s job; and reduced professional efficiency in the individual’s workplace” (World Health Organization 2019). In this …

Exploring The Therapeutic Benefits Of Dance In The Academic Schedule: The Effects On Stress Among High School Students, Amanda Polanowski

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the minds of dance students about the stress they experienced as a result of their academic schedules and extracurriculars. The following research questions informed this study:

Q1 Does incorporating dance into the academic schedule lower stress in high school students?

Q2 In what mental state are students before and after taking dance class?

Q3 Does dance provide mental health benefits for high school students?

Student stress was evaluated before the study using a questionnaire as well as before and after each dance class through surveys. Eighteen students participated in a …

Exploring Audience Perceptions Of Elementary School Dance Curriculum: Utilizing Informance To Investigate Beliefs Regarding The Presentation Of Student Learning In Dance, Michaela Summers

Master's Theses

The goal of this thesis was to gain insight into the perceptions and expectations of audiences in relation to elementary school dance education curriculum and its representation through showcases or displays, particularly within the context of viewing an informance. The researcher developed three research questions to guide the study:

Q1 What are audience perceptions of elementary school dance education pedagogy and curriculum?

Q2 What methods do audiences expect to be implemented in an elementary school dance performance?

Q3 Can utilizing informances affect audience perceptions of elementary school dance education, thus changing their expectations for dance performance methods?

Thirty-eight audience members …

Psychological Impacts Of Competitive Dance: Understanding Mental Health And Team Dynamics Among Young Dancers, Gloria E. Brunner

Master's Theses

The purpose of the research was to investigate deeply into the psychological aspects of competitive dance and its influence on the mental well-being of young dancers. Competitive dance has grown significantly in popularity, fueled by reality television shows and social media platforms, creating a high-pressure environment for participants. This research investigated the unique stressors faced by young dancers including performance anxiety, body image concerns, and burnout, while also identifying coping strategies and the positive personal development fostered through dance.

To uncover more information about the positive and negative effects of competition dance, the researcher focused the study on the following …

Exploring The Impact Of Dance Arts Integration On General Education Teaching Practices: Insights Into Classroom Environment, Planning, Instruction, And Assessment, Sara Kessler-Kennon

Master's Theses

The purpose of this research study was to explore the impact of dance arts integration facilitation on teaching practices by emphasizing classroom environment, planning, instruction, and assessment. The researcher created the following four essential questions to guide the study:

Q1 How does incorporating movement-based arts integration alter classroom environment, student behavior, student engagement, and inclusivity of students with various abilities and diverse backgrounds?

Q2 How does incorporating movement-based arts integration impact the general educators' planning time, process, style, and understanding? Does the general educator feel as though they can effectively incorporate movement-based arts integration without collaborating with a dance educator? …

Analyzing The Influence Of Faculty Diversity On Dance Education In Texas High Schools: A Case Study Of Representation In Dance Programs, Aransas Lazo

Master's Theses

The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between cultural diversity among high school dance instructors and its subsequent impact on students' experiences in high school dance education. The researcher used two types of instrumentation to collect the data: semi-structured interview questions and an online survey. The semi-structured interview questions were researcher-developed and open-ended, allowing the eight participants to provide detailed responses regarding their experiences as a dance instructor, cultural diversity, Texas Education Association (TEA) standards, and the requirements for their dance program. The survey questions asked Yes/No/Unsure questions that involved such questions related to faculty diversity, cultural …

Body Positivity Via Costuming Performances In Grades Nine Through Twelve Dance, Kacey Valentine O'Keeffe

Master's Theses

This thesis explored the impact of body image and self-esteem on high school dancers and the pivotal role of dance educators in fostering a positive environment during concert preparations. The purpose of this research study was to determine if there was a correlation between promotion of health and wellness from dance educators and body positivity among high school dancers. The following research questions were addressed in this study:

Q1 What positively contributes to a dancers’ self-esteem and body image?

Q2 What is an effective solution for costume fitting methods to be used by dance educators while keeping their dancers’ safety …

Storytelling Through Usu's 10-Minute Play Festival, Sarah Anne Polizzotto

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The 10-Minute Play Festival served as the culminating experience of my undergraduate education, combining my skills in stage management, directing, dramaturgy, and arts administration. The project aimed to create an accessible, student-led theatrical event that celebrated inclusion, storytelling, and collaboration. This portfolio highlights both the creative and administrative aspects of my work, showcasing the planning, research, and execution necessary to bring the festival to life. As the festival’s student organizer, I handled administrative tasks such as securing performance rights, designing promotional materials, and coordinating rehearsals. Drawing from dramaturgical research, I developed a vision for my directed play, Three Drunk Poets …

A Performance Guide To Lisabeth-Claude Jacquet De La Guerre’S Cantate Fran Oise: Semel, Cho Hee Hwang

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study explores one of the French cantatas, Semel , composed by lisabeth-Claude Jacquet de La Guerre (1665–1729) to provide an analysis of her sophisticated text painting and a performance guide for singers. The cantata genre originated in Italy and by the early-eighteenth century, it flourished in France as well: approximately eight hundred French cantatas were composed between 1700 and 1730. lisabeth-Claude Jacquet de La Guerre was among the French composers who adopted the genre, along with Jean-Baptiste Morin (1677–1745), Nicholas Bernier (1664–1734), Fran ois Couperin (1668–1733), and Louis-Nicolas Cl rambault (1676–1749). In 1715, Jacquet de La Guerre published the …

Beloved Iwu Theater Professor John Ficca Finishes His 'Hour Upon The Stage', Charles Schlenker

Interviews for WGLT

An Illinois Wesleyan University theater legend has left the stage. John Ficca has died. A beloved theater professor, Ficca came to Illinois Wesleyan in 1956. He stayed full time for 46 years and taught part-time for another decade.

The Sacred Duty Of The Christian Storyteller: The Rediscovery Of Divine Creative Heritage And Its Function In The Public Square, Trinity Wood

Senior Honors Theses

This thesis assesses the specific value of the storytelling medium and evaluates how one’s artistic duty coexists with their spiritual responsibility as a Bible-believing Christian. Storytelling has a proven power to evoke change within society and within the hearts of its members, and creativity is an innate characteristic we share with the original Divine Creator. Creativity is our birthright and our inheritance from God the Father, as beings made in His Image. The secular entertainment industry often appears as foreign enemy territory to the Christian creative – in most recent years, faith-based content has garnered a poor reputation for itself …

Fall Faculty Dance Concert

Dance Programs

No abstract provided.

Fall Dance Concert (November 21-23, 2024), Lindenwood University

Student Dance Programs & Brochures

Event program for Fall Dance Concert (November 21-23, 2024), Lindenwood University.

Blackfriars Dance Concert Fall 2024 Poster, Providence College Department Of Theatre, Dance, & Film

Playbill and Promotions

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Angell Blackfriars Theatre

Blackfriars Dance Concert Fall 2024

Friday, November 15, 2024 @7:30pm

Saturday, November 16, 2024 @2:00PM

Choreographers: Heather Ahern, Laura Bennett, Nina Kossler, Jessica Pearson, Michaela Pendola, Brooklyn Toli, Arlynn Zachary

Blackfriars Dance Concert Fall 2024 Poster, Providence College Department Of Theatre, Dance, & Film

Playbill and Promotions

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Angell Blackfriars Theatre

Blackfriars Dance Concert Fall 2024

Friday, November 15, 2024 @7:30pm

Saturday, November 16, 2024 @2:00PM

Choreographers: Heather Ahern, Laura Bennett, Nina Kossler, Jessica Pearson, Michaela Pendola, Brooklyn Toli, Arlynn Zachary, Carla Maxwell, Robert Battle, Elizabeth Graney, Olivia Krupa, Julianna Martin, Grace McEvoy, & Allison Renaud

Dancers: Jade Bocciarelli, Helena Gillin, Gabriella Girard, Penelope Kearns, Julia Mele, Caroline Puccini, Noel Rose DeRosa, Taylor Gifford, Caroline Guanci, Grace McEvoy, Emma Preston, Allison Renaud, Simone Chabot, Lauren Gerew, Heidy Guzman, Olivia Krupa, Julianna Martin, Rayni Collins, Amanda Kleinman, Grace Sittig, Alyssa Dalto, …

The Art Of Inclusion: Theatre’S Contribution To Popular Culture Literacy For Students With Intellectual Disabilities, Catherine R. P. King

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

This essay explores the transformative role of theatre in special education, focusing on its capacity to foster social skills and life navigation abilities in students with disabilities. In light of the fundamental importance of these skills for social inclusion and quality of life, the article highlights the innovative and effective approach to integrating theatre into special education classrooms. It discusses how theatre can empower students with disabilities by enhancing their social interaction, communication, and life navigation skills. In addition, the article delves into the intersection of theatre and popular culture, showcasing how theatre can serve as a valuable tool for …

Cake And Conclusions: Rhetorical Roots In “Sheetcaking” And Fallacious Community Responses, Marissa Lammon

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

The convergence of politics and comedy within political entertainment has created a new environment, dissemination of information, and formation of public opinion. In response to white nationalist rallies, comedian Tina Fey utilized her political comedy platform to satirically comment on the inaction of several privileged consumers. Community response to the satirical skit reflected the complexity of satire as rhetorical strategy, notably when present online and within popular culture discourse, and the cognitive demands that result in fallacious tendencies. The following examines the fallacies that arise in response to Fey’s satirical message and the implications for political entertainment media.

The Madwoman Of Chaillot, Jean Giraudaux, Maurice Valency

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University's performance of The Madwoman of Chaillot by Jean Giraudoux and adapted by Maurice Valency.

Performed on November 8-9, 2024 at 7:30pm and November 10, 2024 at 2:00pm in the Mitchell Theatre at Taylor University.

Jean Giraudoux's The Madwoman of Chaillot, adapted by Maurice Valency, is a poetic and satirical fable that critiques capitalism and greed. The play is set in Paris, where a group of greedy businessmen plans to tear up the city to drill for oil. Their plans are discovered by Countess Aurelia, the titular Madwoman, a wonderfully eccentric and idealistic woman who …