Theatre and Performance Studies Commons^™

Tierra Misteriosa, Office Of Arts + Cultural Programming, Peak Performances At Montclair State University

2016-2017 Break the Mold

In Tierra Misteriosa (Mysterious Land), Astrid Hadad offers her take on hundreds of years of history, from Tenochtitlan, the ancient capital of the Aztec empire, to the Mexico of today, about which she offers penetrating insight with a lot of humor. She says, “I think it’s necessary to keep the spark of humor, the depth of humor, because otherwise life is not worth living.”

The Silenced: An Artistic Analysis Of Memory And Conflict, Kittridge Janvrin

Senior Theses

The ability to tell stories has always been one I considered most valuable. Histories have been passed down across generations, tales of war and independence, of crimes and justice. Storytelling is not unique to one particular culture or people, instead traversing divides both geographic and societal. This permeation of words, of voices that convey histories both real and imagined is the driving force behind my thesis. The culmination of my research, which is outlined in the following reflection, is an original short play. While based on the Troubles in Northern Ireland, the play speaks to the power behind every story …

The Effects Of Cross Training On Ballet Dance, Allison Holland

Senior Theses

The dictionary defines cross training as, “the action or practice of engaging in two or more sports or types of exercise in order to improve fitness or performance in one’s main sport” (“cross-train”). While ballet dancers may look physically fit and slim, ballet dancers do not always give their bodies proper care. This thesis will explain the elements of ballet training that are crucial for development as an artist and a dancer. It will also discuss the benefits of cross training for ballet dancers and how this should be incorporated into the ballet curriculum. Finally, this thesis will discuss the …

The New Shakespearean Stage: Minimalist Theatre And Spectacle Through Text, Andrew R. Morrison

Theatre & Dance ETDs

In this essay, I will explore my development as a playwright during my time at UNM, and the emphasis I have placed on experimental productions with minimal budget. This culminates in a style of playwriting in which spectacle is created through text, which I name the New Shakespearean Stage, employed in my plays The Break and Welcome to Retroland.

Picnic

Theatre Programs

No abstract provided.

Black Matter, Kahlil Irving

Graduate School of Art Theses

History as we know it, is inherited. Racism, fascism, white supremacy, and Eurocentric dominance have been presented as normal and acceptable within our society for many years. This has allowed police officers to execute Black American’s and not be acquitted for their horrendous crimes. As an activist I want to challenge the status quo. As an artist I am interested in investigating how I can present ideas embody or reflect contemporary issues and concerns. Using different colors can aggressively change how an object is perceived. Historical objects hold many important.

I explore many mediums, but an anchor material that I …

The Double Féminin In The Plays Of Jean Racine, Jaime Schultz

Celebration of Learning

This work takes on a feminist approach and studies extensively the oeuvre of Racine.

2017 Otterbein Summer Theatre Season Brochure, Otterbein University Department Of Theatre And Dance

Theatre and Dance Annual Brochures

Annual promotional piece of the upcoming season's shows.

A Summer Experience As A Paid Actor: It’S Not All Broken Legs, Reagan James

Undergraduate Honors Theses

A Summer Experience as a Paid Actor: It’s Not All Broken Legs

Thesis Statement: Finding out that you are going to be paid to act sounds like a dream come true, but there is a lot more to it than just the glitz and glam of the final product.

Ego: Writing The Psychological Play, Diego, Nathaniel J. Couper

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Ego: Writing the Psychological Play, Diego focuses on my analytical research and educational experiences as a Theatre major and Psychology minor as well as my personal journey over a four year period writing the play Diego. Theatre provided background for my writing process, and Psychology provided the basis for the play’s main themes. The play’s major plot as well as many of the characters and relationships came from a notable time in my own life, such that without those dramatic personal events, the inception of the play never would have occurred. I combined my experiences with my knowledge of …

A Romantic Comedy Of Boats And Gardens: Selected Projects In Scenic Design And Technical Direction, Trevor Flocco

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

When this play was given to me as one of my production assignments, I was both thrilled and terrified. I thoroughly enjoy Shakespeare, but I realized that this would also be the largest show of the year; it would be the only production to take place in the Morgan Theater, our largest and most challenging space. This was only my second time designing a realized production and I knew it would be a massive undertaking. However, I knew that having a realized Shakespeare design this early in my career would greatly help my portfolio. Also, my advisor told me that …

Le Sacre Du Printemps: The First Rite (An Exploration Of Modern And Aerial Dance As Storytelling), Whitney Bates

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Le sacre du printemps, a ballet choreographed in 1913 by Vaslav Nijinsky, played an important part in changing the way the world thought about choreography. Since, modern choreographers such as Graham and Taylor have followed in the tradition of creating their own versions of Le sacre. This thesis outlines the significance of Le sacre. It also describes how Bates created a choreographic project using Nijinsky, Taylor, and Graham influences, and also combining modern dance floor techniques with aerial choreography.

Art Infested Water, Graduation Edition, May 2017, Nova Southeastern University Department Of Performing And Visual Arts

Department of Performing and Visual Arts Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Now Presenting: Uri Theatre, Allyson Schiller

Senior Honors Projects

Honors Project Abstract

In my years as a theatre student and practitioner, I have learned that the most creative people aren’t necessarily found center stage. For every actor taking a bow, there are numerous support staff who created the production that will bring actors acclaim. Without an audience, the work of these artists will remain unseen and unappreciated. Therefore, those who promote the performances are certainly an integral part of the theatrical process. Often referred to as “show business”, the ticket sales and revenue are essential to the health and well being of any theatrical organization. URI Theatre, like any …

From Playwriting To Production, Lauren Wade

Senior Honors Projects

Theater has been a beloved art form for centuries, originating in Ancient Greek times and evolving into what we know today. For as long as I can remember I have been involved in theater, performing in my own school plays starting in elementary school and, upon entering high school, assisting the middle school next door in their productions. While I have been studying acting here at the University of Rhode Island, I have also had the opportunity to expand my knowledge in many aspects of stagecraft including stage management, costume and set design, set construction and scenic painting, and more …

Finding A New Home In Harlem: Alice Childress And The Committee For The Negro In The Arts, Judith E. Smith

American Studies Faculty Publication Series

Alice Childress’s performing career in the 1940s was primarily associated with the American Negro Theater, a collectively run professional theater company with a mission to nurture black talent and create compelling theater for Harlem audiences; as Childress would later comment, “We thought we were Harlem’s theater.” ANT made use of all available resources to accomplish this mission; producing plays written by black and white playwrights, hiring white teachers, and accepting white actors and technicians committed to its goals.

Meaningful Movement: A Study Of The Benefits Of Dance In An Academic, Social, And Professional Environment, Olivia Blum

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

Meaningful Movement: A Study of the Benefits of Dance in an Academic, Social, and Professional Environment is a short film that develops the argument that dance programs are essential on college campuses due to the benefits they provide students. Told through the personal narrative of one student, Olivia Blum, this film delves into what it means to be a dancer, especially at a school supported by Division I Athletics. Meaningful Movement showcases the similarities between these two drastically different activities, one a sport and one an art form. So, why is dance important? Why isn’t it appreciated in the same …

I Directed Macbeth, And So Can You, Jason Flannery

Theses

Designed in the second year of my graduate studies, and rehearsed and performed in the autumn of my third, Macbeth served as my thesis production at Lindenwood University. In this paper, I will address the details of how the production came to light, my approach to developing the performance, what was learned throughout the nearly year-long endeavor, and how those lessons have shaped my relationship with the art of storytelling.

An Actor's Method To Building The Character Of Mother Superior In Agnes Of God, Venita J. Matthews

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Agnes of God is the story of a nun (Agnes) who gets pregnant while living in a convent. She almost dies after giving birth to a baby, who was later found dead in a garbage can. The cast consists of three members: Agnes; Mother Miriam Ruth (Mother Superior); and Dr. Martha Livingstone, the court appointed psychiatrist. Faith is tested as Dr. Livingstone draws closer to uncovering the truth surrounding the conception, birth, and death of Agnes’ baby.

I performed the role of Mother Superior in the UNO production of Agnes of God. This thesis documents my rehearsal and …

Dichotomy: A Creative Exercise In Theming Artistic And Emotional Dance Around Scientific Fitness Principles, John P. Davenport

Honors Theses

The creative dance work entitled Dichotomy investigated the following research question: is it possible to choreograph an artistic dance work that is firmly related to exercise science principles yet can still evoke an emotional response from the audience? This concert dance was performed in the Fall 2016 Studio 115 Dance Concert in Hattiesburg, MS by three Repertory Dance Company members. This paper seeks to explore the relationship between modern dance and exercise programming, to describe the methodology implemented to generate movement from exercise programming and testing, and to investigate the emotional response that the audience had to the work based …

Autobiography And Authenticity: Writing Are You Sure?: Experiences Of A Gay Foster Youth, Zachary A. Clein

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to examine the importance of authenticity in autobiographical writing, then apply what has been discovered to the author’s own autobiographical play. Researching for the project involved reviewing various forms of autobiographical writing performed on the stage (including The Normal Heart, a straight play/ non-musical production, a musical, From Foster Care to Fabulous, and a “memory play” The Glass Menagerie). One thing became clear after reviewing these pieces of literature: emotional authenticity, not fact, was the driving force. This stems from the inherent power autobiographical writing possesses to inform audiences on important topics, which allows …

Fuddy Meers: Lighting On The Edge Of Consciousness, Sheric W. Hull

Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film: Theses, Student Research, and Creative Work

This thesis outlines the concept, research, and production process of the lighting design for the play Fuddy Meers by David Lindsay Abaire. This show took place October 6–8 and 12–16, 2016 in the Studio Theatre at the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The creative team was comprised of the director Dustin Mosko*, the scenic designer Lisa Haldeman*, costumes/prosthetics/ puppetry designed by Rebecca Armstrong*, sound designer Araceli Ramirez, projection content Zachary Trout, and I was the production’s lighting designer. The production team was comprised of stage manager Riley Redburn, assistant stage manager Shannon Humiston, …

Revolutionary Every Day: A Dramatic Exploration Of Women And Their Agency In The Black Panther Party., Kristen Michelle Walker

Master of Arts in American Studies Capstones

This capstone project is centered around Black Panther women and explores what it means to be a revolutionary black woman dealing with politics surrounding gender in both private and public spaces during the late 1960’s and beyond. In addition, the project includes an original fictional play based on the experiences of Panther women around the world. In addressing the social conditions that impacted female Panther activism and agency, together the capstone project and play operate as a commentary on power, gender relations, and society in and around the Black Panther Party.

Books And Bodies: A Collaborative Process Between Dance And Literature, Sarah Dexter Givens

Honors Theses

This senior choreographic project, Reading Response #6, was created and performed in the fall of 2016 in collaboration with five dancers, one apprentice, and the choreographer. The project was a collaboration of dance with literature by Emily Dickinson, Leo Tolstoy, Richard Wilbur, Edgar Allan Poe, Oscar Wilde, and Walt Whitman. The final product was performed in the Studio 115 Dance Concert in the University of Southern Mississippi’s Theatre and Dance Building in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. This paper investigates the relationship between dance and literature and explores methods of integration between the two art forms.

Finding Exuberance For The Role Shelby In Baltimore., Danielle Smart

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis documents my discovery of exuberance as the key to a successful performance and reveals the challenges I faced in developing a character whose major actions in the play fall into the category of masking (i.e. hiding, avoiding, dodging). I define exuberance and discuss how I came to understand that sustaining exuberance requires a great deal of technical expertise specifically in acting, movement and voice in order to accommodate the demands of the character. I contend that exuberance also requires commitment and nurturing of the actor’s personal artistic vision. This thesis will discuss some of the difficulties I faced …

Building The Bastard : Confidence Through Preparation In Shakespeare's King Lear., Shaleen Tarun Cholera

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is to chart my discovery that confidence is essential to an actor’s craft. This thesis focuses on my performance as Edmund in King Lear, as well as my production the previous summer playing Hussein in Ayad Akhtar’s Disgraced. I draw from a variety of sources, such as meditation and formal acting exercises, to achieve confidence. Most importantly, I distill my missteps as an actor for a better understanding of what hinders confidence when building a role for performance.

Labor And Happiness., Tyler Reid Madden

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis reflects my process and my development of performing Troy Maxson in August Wilson’s Fences. I will be exploring the parallels that I have found on the concept of labor, between the history of labor as a black man in America and the labor of an actor. More specifically, I will be explaining my process in finding happiness in the laboring process of building a character. This is also an exploration of how I transformed myself from a 29-year-old black man to a 53-year-old black man. Also, transitioning from a black man in the 21st century, to a black …

Fantastical Body Narratives : Cosplay, Performance, And Gender Diversity., Tiffany M. Hutabarat-Nelson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation aims to explore how the phenomenon of cosplay has been able to produce and sustain a diversity of gender expression due to its emergence from an activity-based community that emphasizes creative play. This creative energy is manifested through cosplay as an active, ritualized practice in which gender diversity is invited to be realized as a distinct possibility, resulting in a display of a full range of masculinities and femininities as well as crossplays and genderbend cosplays. I argue that cosplay can therefore be understood as a phenomenon that destabilizes the gender binary—its active practice promotes the production and …

Unknown Still, Katherine Berzinski, Haley Allaben, Zach Schiller

A Midwestern Review: A Magazine of the Arts and Issues at DePauw University

No abstract provided.

Selected Projects In Lighting, Projections, And Scenic Design, Joshua Roberts

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

A report of Lighting, Projection, and Scenic design by Joshua Roberts on selected projects at Utah State University.