Acting Commons^™

Limboland: A One-Act Play About Death, For Kids, Megan Huggins

Honors Scholars Collaborative Projects

LimboLand: A One-Act Play about Death, for kids

Megan Huggins

Thesis Director: James Al-Shamma, Ph.D

Thesis Committee: Shawn Knight, Jessica Mueller

A loose adaptation of Dante Alighieri’s epic poem Inferno, LimboLand uses Alighieri’s model of the nine circles of Hell to illustrate the five stages of grief. In a script designed for theatre for young audiences, Dante, a young child, travels through different rooms as he attempts to cope with and understand his sister’s death. Dante follows Virgil, an older child, who knows a lot about the afterlife system without understanding any of it. The play includes an appendix …

Baton Rouge Slam!: An Obituary For Summer 2016: A Critical Performance Ethnography Of Eclectic Truth Poetry Slam, Joshua Hamzehee

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This critical performance ethnography presents the theory, methodology, and practice surrounding the fieldwork, scripting, and performance of Baton Rouge SLAM!: An Obituary for Summer 2016. As participant-observer, director, and co-performer, I unpack social drama, performance ethnography, and slam culture by employing a lens rooted in critical race theory. Local poets permitted me to de- and re-contextualize their interviews into ensemble scenes and theatricalize their slam poems about the recent summer’s charged events. One year later, this involved and embodied process of ethnographic bricolage became the ensemble cast performance of Baton Rouge SLAM!: An Obituary for Summer 2016. Community members and …

Peter And The Starcatcher Poster, Department Of Theatre, Dance & Film

Playbill and Promotion

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Angell Blackfriars Theatre

Peter and the Starcatcher, a play by Rick Elice

Based on the novel by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson

Music by Wayne Barker

April 3-5 & 17-19, 2020

The Fight Master, Spring 2020, Vol. 42 Issue 1, The Society Of American Fight Directors

Fight Master Magazine

No abstract provided.

Political Theatre: Entertainment Or Instrument Of Social Change?, Olivia M. Matthews

Senior Theses

This paper explores political theatre as a means of conveying information and inspiring action regarding socio-political issues. Through a staged reading of The Exonerated, and subsequent audience discussion and survey, the effectiveness of theatre as a means of commenting on political problems was explored. The conclusion was reached that theatre is uniquely suited for this role due to the emotional human connection forged by seeing examples of real people dealing with the addressed issues.

Exploring How Media Portrayals Of Mental Health Affect Public Perceptions Through Devised Theatre, Lauren Lash

Honors Projects

A performance piece and this corresponding paper serve as my honors project, which has two main foci: devised theatre and how the media affects perceptions of mental health. This packet is a documentation of the rehearsal process and sources that influenced the piece and a link to the piece itself. Documenting the rehearsal process included a list of songs, rehearsal plans, rehearsal schedules, and my reflections on the process. Helpful sources included a photo release form, which allowed me to include a recording in this packet, and my annotated bibliography included sources about devising, portraying mental health in theatre, and …

The Relationship Between Lgbtq+ Representation On The Political And Theatrical Stages, Brett V. Ries

Honors Thesis

This thesis examines the relationship between LGBTQ+ representation on the political and theatrical stages. During some decades, LGBTQ+ theatre was dictated by the politics of the time period. During other times, theatre educated and filled the silence when the government and society turned the other way. By examining LGBTQ+ plays, musicals, and political events over the past century, there are clear themes that emerge. In both the theatrical and political arenas, LGBTQ+ representation has been limited by a concept called “repressive tolerance.” Every step of progress has been met with another restriction, ranging from stereotypical caricatures to legal discrimination. In …

Creative Writers Festival 2020 Poster, Department Of Theatre, Dance & Film

Playbill and Promotion

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Smith Center Lobby

Creative Writers Festival 2020

Saturday, March 21, 2020, 7:30pm

Sunday, March 22, 2020, 2pm

The Wolves

Theatre Programs

No abstract provided.

An Enemy Of The People

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University's performance of An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen.

Performed February 28-March 1, 6-8, 2020 at the Mitchell Theatre.

An Enemy of the People explores themes of truth, integrity, and the conflict between individual and societal interests. The story centers on Dr. Thomas Stockmann, a medical officer in a small Norwegian town, who discovers that the local baths, a major source of income for the town, are contaminated and pose a serious health risk. When he attempts to go public with his findings, he faces intense opposition from the town's leaders, including his brother, …

9 To 5 The Musical

Theatre Programs

No abstract provided.

Peter And The Starcatcher Open Auditions Poster, Department Of Theatre, Dance & Film

Playbill and Promotion

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Smith Center Lobby

Peter and the Starcatcher open auditions

Tuesday, February 18, 2020, 7pm

Beasts Poster, Providence College

Playbill and Promotions

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Bowab Studio Theatre

Beasts

An original play by Thomas Edwards '20

February 13-16, 2020

Beasts Playbill, Providence College

Playbill and Promotions

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Bowab Studio Theatre

Beasts

An original play by Thomas Edwards '20

February 13-16, 2020

Directed by John Garrity

Scenic & Lighting Designer: Trevor Elliott

Sound Designer: Tim Brown '20

Costume Designer: Maxine Wheelock

Vocal Coach: Megan Chang

Cast: Left Samael - Katie Vennard; Right Samael - Carolyn Bradley; Joyce Anderson - Abigail Joy; Jason Anderson - Tim Brown; Mark Bernard - Daniel Jameson; Joseph Johnson - Marc Lancia; Bill Johnson - Mike Facenda; Stephanie Lawsdahter - Analisa Pisano

The School For Scandal, Otterbein Theatre And Dance Department

2019-2020 Season

The London gossip scene is buzzing. Masquerading behind the veneer of polite society, malicious prattlers trade gossip like gamblers and ruin reputations for sport. As much as we are all familiar with reports of lies, rumors, backhanded comments, and fake-news, this is 1777 England, and the newspaper industry is just getting started. Two brothers are tested for their trustworthiness by their wealthy uncle amidst a myriad of hilarious twists and subplots involving a crazy cast of characters including Lady Teazle, Lady Sneerwell, Surface, Backbite, Snake, and more. In what is often considered one of the best comedy of manners plays, …

Creative Writers Festival Media Release, Talia Triangolo

Playbill and Promotion

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Creative Writers Festival media release

February 2020

Peter And The Starcatcher Media Release, Talia Triangolo

Playbill and Promotion

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Peter and the Starcatcher media release

February 2020

Crimes Of The Heart, Lynn University

Drama Programs

by Beth Henley

The scene is Hazlehurst, Mississippi, where the three Magrath sisters gather to await news of the family patriarch, their grandfather, who is living out his last hours in the local hospital. Lenny, the oldest sister, is unmarried at 30 and facing diminishing marital prospects; Meg, the middle sister, is back after a failed singing career on the West Coast; while Babe, the youngest, is out on bail after having shot her husband.

The Maids Playbill, Providence College

Playbill and Promotion

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Angell Blackfriars Theatre

The Maids

Written by Jean Genet. Translated from the French by Bernard Frechtman

Directed by Erin Joy Schmidt

January 23-26

Thursday, Friday, Saturday 7:30pm; Sunday 2:00pm

Scenic Designer: Sarah Markley

Sound Designer: Steve Shapiro

Costume Designer: Chelsea Kerl

Lighting Designer: Michael Clark Wonson

Vocal Coach: Megan Chang

Cast: Claire - Grace Dolan; Solange - Sydney Cahill; Madame - Halle Pratt

The Maids Poster, Providence College

Playbill and Promotion

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Angell Blackfriars Theatre

The Maids

Written by Jean Genet. Translated from the French by Bernard Frechtman

Directed by Erin Joy Schmidt

January 23-26

Thursday, Friday, Saturday 7:30pm; Sunday 2:00pm

Direction Of The Play: The Importance Of Being Earnest, Sabrina Haesche

All Graduate Projects

The following documentation includes the conceptualization, research, implementation, and reflection of the entire production process of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST in February 2020. The documentation includes both character and visual production research, historical context and significance, as well as the evaluation of the play as a vehicle for speaking to the community of Moses Lake.

Beasts Media Release, Talia Triangolo

Playbill and Promotions

Providence College Department of Theatre, Dance & Film

Beasts media release

January 2020

Too Young Or Too Old? Age And The Politics Of Performing King Lear - Successfully!, Jim B. Wallace

The Kennesaw Journal of Undergraduate Research

“It is sometimes said that the problem with the part of Lear is that by the time you are old enough to play it, you are too old to play it.” (Jonathan Bate)

Theatre critics rarely see an outstanding performance of King Lear. The thesis of this paper is that it is possible to successfully perform the role of Lear however it takes much more than excellent acting skills to do so. To successfully play Lear requires a visceral understanding of the profound psychological and physical changes that generally begin around age sixty-five. This paper demonstrates that what one learns …

Performing The 2nd Witch’S Character In Macbeth, Martha Juliana Cubillos Caceres

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This document is a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the Master of Fine Arts degree in theatre. It is a detailed account of author Martha Juliana Cubillos Caceres’s artistic process in creating and performing the role of the 2nd Witch in Minnesota State University, Mankato’s production of Macbeth in the spring of 2019. The thesis records the actor’s artistic process from pre-production through performance in five chapters: an early production analysis, a historical and critical perspective, a rehearsal and performance journal, a post-production analysis and a process development analysis. Appendices and works cited are included.

Directing Nocturne, Trevor Belt

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This document is a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the Master of Fine Arts degree in Directing. It is a detailed account of author Trevor Belt’s artistic process in directing Nocturne as a part of Minnesota State University, Mankato’s studio theatre season in the fall of 2019. The thesis chronicles the director’s artistic process from pre-production through performances in five chapters: a preproduction analysis, an historical and critical perspective, a rehearsal and performance journal, a post-production analysis and a process development analysis. Appendices and works cited are included.

Playing Disability, Daniel Romano

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Disability in performance has a long history, starting with fictional characters such as Shakespeare's Gloucester/Richard, progressing through the freak shows of the early twentieth century, and finally with artists such as Neil Marcus, Mat Fraser and Deaf West Theatre in the past twenty years. Looking to the work of disabled artists, activists, and theorists such as Petra Kuppers and Carrie Sandahl, I will examine the history of both disability in performance and the performance of disability. I will discuss my performance of Garret, a man with muscular dystrophy, in my original play, The Sick Parents Club. Through analysis of what …

"A Performing Artist's Journey...Begins" (Senior Showcase), Jennifer Boswell

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

As a Theatre major, my sponsor and I decided that my Honors Research Project would be a one-person, twenty-minute performance. Originally, this showcase was going to be a live theatre event. Due to coronavirus and social distancing, I had to adjust and adapt as I transformed my piece into a virtual performance.

In choosing the content that would be performed, I carefully selected pieces that represented my journey as a performing artist the past four years. I wanted to showcase my growth and range as a performer. I chose one monologue from each of the six MainStage Theatre productions I …

A Meisner Warm-Up: Advancing The Technique, Andrew Bryce

Theses and Dissertations

Why is there no warm-up for the Meisner technique? Why do standard vocal warm-ups not actually prepare the actor for performance? This thesis seeks to remedy both of these issues in 21st century actor training. It does so by creating a warm-up for the Meisner technique that will also prepare actors’ voice, body, and presence. This warm-up was formed by combining Meisner repetition exercises and the Miller Voice Method. The final warm-up was presented as a workshop for actors at the 2020 Southeastern Theatre Conference.

L’Ètica De L’Estètica ¿Caldria Debatre L’Antijudaisme Del ‘Misteri D’Elx’?, Antoni Pizà

Publications and Research

Al final de la representació de la segona jornada del Misteri d’Elx hi ha un moment d’indescriptible intensitat emocional. La catarsi que experimenten els espectadors, actors i músics sol manifestar-se en aclamacions, víctors i fins i tot llàgrimes. Els ventalls de les dones aletegen agilíssims, pràcticament posseïts. Primer tímidament —per a no interrompre la màgia del moment— però gradualment amb gran intensitat, comencen, ja al final de la representació, els aplaudiments, sempre in crescendo, acompanyats, poc després, per la coneguda i emfàtica expressió: «Visca la Mare de Déu!».

The Jekyll’S Hide Project. Devising Jekyll’S Hide: A Critical Analysis Of The Performative Elements And Working Methods Of Jerry Lewis And The Butoh Dancers Tatsumi Hijikata And Kazuo Ohno, Hugo Belviso

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This practice-led research project explored the process of devising for performance for the stage via physical theatre workshops. The research was informed by Japanese butoh dance-theatre and its two creators, Tatsumi Hijikata and Kazuo Ohno, and by the work of American comic Jerry Lewis. I began with exercises in group workshops derived from butoh movement practice, followed by inspiration drawn from Jerry Lewis’s performance and directorial work in his films, and from Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. I developed a workshop exercise and devising process where ideas and methodologies from butoh and Jerry …