Performance Studies Commons^™

Creating The Role Of Passerby And Stationmaster In The Cherry Orchard, Selwyn Ofori

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This paper will serve as a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting. It is a detailed account of Selwyn Ofori's artistic process in creating the role of Passerby and Stationmaster in Anton Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard staged at Ted Paul at Minnesota State University, Mankato in Spring 2026. This thesis entails the actor's analysis from pre-production till performance in five chapters, namely: pre-production analysis, historical and critical perspective, journals, post-production analysis, process development, and appendix. The sources of my research are also recorded in the works cited.

Creating The Role Of Aunt Eller In Oklahoma!, Phyllis Horridge

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 Arts with concentration in Musical Theatre. It is a detailed account of author Phyllis Horridge’s artistic process in creating the role of Aunt Eller in Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Fall 2025 production of Oklahoma! This thesis follows the actor’s process through pre-production analysis, an historical and critical perspective, journals detailing the rehearsal and performance process, a post-production analysis, and process development. Appendices and works cited follow the process development.

Creating The Role Of Richard Iii For Richard Iii, Travis Grey Robertson

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 Acting. It is a detailed account of author Grey Robertson’s artistic process in creating the role of Richard III in Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Fall 2022 production of Richard III. This thesis follows the actor’s process through pre-production analysis, an historical and critical perspective, journals detailing the rehearsal and performance process, a post-production analysis, and process development. Appendices and works cited follow the process development.

Languishing Without A Human Touch: Directing In The Next Room Or The Vibrator Play, Sarah Belfrage Honerman

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This document is a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the Masters of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Arts at Minnesota State University, Mankato. It is a detailed account of Sarah Belfrage Honerman’s directorial process for In The Next Room or the vibrator play by Sarah Ruhl. The play was produced in the Andreas Theatre and ran from September 21 to 24, 2022. The thesis outlines the director’s artistic process from pre-production through the performance in five chapters that include a early production analysis, an historical and critical perspective, a rehearsal and performance journal, a post-production analysis, and a process …

Production Stage Management For A Christmas Carol, Jenna Atherton

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of a Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Arts: Production and Stage Management at Minnesota State University, Mankato. This thesis contains a detailed account of Jenna M. Atherton’s stage management process and research for A Christmas Carol. The thesis gives a chronological overview of the manager’s process in four chapters; a pre-production analysis, a historical and critical perspective, a journal detailing the process, and a post-production analysis. The fifth and final chapter provides the process development of the manager's career before and during her time in graduate school. Appendices feature technical paperwork, …

The Creation Of Choreography For Disney's High School Musical, John Greer

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 musical theatre. It is a detailed account of author John Greer’s artistic process of creating the choreography for Disney’s High School Musical as a part of Minnesota State University, Mankato’s mainstage theatre season in the fall of 2022. The thesis chronicles the choreographer’s artistic process from pre-production through performance in five chapters: a preproduction analysis, an historical and critical perspective, a rehearsal 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.

Creating The Role Of O'Brien In 1984, Andoni Marinos

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 Andoni Marinos’s artistic process in creating the role of O’Brien in Minnesota State University, Mankato’s production of 1984 in the spring of 2018. The thesis chronicles 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.

The Direction Of Why Torture Is Wrong, And The People Who Love Them, Donald Hart

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Hart, Donald C., M.F.A. Thesis. The Direction of Why Torture is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them. Mankato: Minnesota State University, Mankato, 2018.

This is a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the Master of Fine Arts degree in theatre. It is a detailed account of Donald C. Hart's artistic process in directing Why Torture is Wrong, and the People Who Love Them in the fall of 2017 for Minnesota State University, Mankato's department of Theatre and Dance. The paper chronicles the director's artistic process from pre-production through performance in five chapters: a pre-production analysis, a historical and critical …

Creating The Role Of Georgie Bukatinsky In "The Full Monty", Erin Horst

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 Erin Horst's artistic process in creating the role of Georgie Bukatinsky in Minnesota State University, Mankato's production of "The Full Monty" in the fall of 2016. The thesis chronicles 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.

Technical Direction Of Frankenstein 1930, Isaac Sawle

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 Isaac Sawle’s technical direction process for Minnesota State University, Mankato’s production of Frankenstein 1930 in the fall of 2016. This thesis chronicles the author’s process from pre-production through post-production in five chapters: an early production analysis, a historical and critical perspective, a process journal, a post-production analysis and a process development analysis. Appendices and works cited are included.

Directing Time Stands Still, Michael Bradley Sheeks

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 Michael Sheeks’s artistic process in directing Time Stands Still in the fall of 2015. The thesis chronicles the director’s artistic process from pre-production through performance in five chapters: a preproduction analysis, an historical and critical perspective, a process journal, a post-production analysis and a process development analysis. Exhibits and works cited are included.

Creating The Role Of Frederick Barrett In Titanic: The Musical, Adam Val Yankowy

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This document is a thesis submitted in fulfillment of the master of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre. It is a detailed account of author Adam Yankowy’s artistic process in creating the role of Frederick Barrett in the Minnesota State University, Mankato’s production of Titanic: The Musical in the Fall of 2015. The thesis follows the actor’s process beginning with the early production analysis in the first chapter. The actor then discusses the work in its historical context followed by a detailed journal of the acting process in chapters two and three. Chapter four is the post-production analysis and the …

The Sound Design Of Antigone, Luke Jacob Walchuk

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This document is a project submitted in partial fulfillment of the Master of Fine Arts degree in theatre. It provides an account of author Luke Walchuk’s process in creating and implementing the sound design for Minnesota State University, Mankato’s production of Antigone in January and February of 2016. The paper gives a chronological overview of the designer’s process in four chapters: an early production analysis, a historical and critical perspective, a process journal, and a post-production analysis. A fifth chapter provides a process development analysis of the designer’s career as a student of theatre. Appendices featuring production paperwork and other …

Recreating Paris In Les Miserables, Joel Schiebout

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 Joel Schiebout's technical process in the construction of the set for Minnesota State University, Mankato's production of Les Misérables in the fall of 2013. The thesis chronicles the author's technical process from pre-production through post-production in five chapters: an early production analysis, a historical and critical perspective, a construction process journal, a post-production analysis and a process development analysis. Appendices and works cited are included.

The Scene Design For Kiss Of The Spider Woman, Noah Jon Michael Files

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This thesis contains a detailed account of Noah J. Files's scene design research and process for Kiss of the Spider Woman by Terrence McNally, John Kander and Fred Ebb. The musical was produced in the Andreas Theatre, opening January 30 and closing February 8, 2014. The first chapter is a preliminary analysis of the plot, the designer's first intentions and reactions to the scenic requirements, and the designer's goals for the production. The second chapter is an historical and critical analysis providing perspective into the history of the musical and research to illuminate the designer's choices. The third chapter is …

A Director's Approach To I Love You Because, Adam Karal Sahli

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

It is a detailed account of author Adam Karal Sahli's artistic process in directing the musical I Love You Because at Minnesota State University, Mankato in the Fall of 2012. The thesis records the artist's process from production selection through performance in five chapters: a preproduction analysis, a historical and critical analysis of the work, a production meeting and performance journals, a post-production analysis and a process development analysis. Appendices, works cited and works consulted follow.

Technical Direction For Abe Burrows' Cactus Flower, Lawrence A. Lopez

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This paper is a comprehensive report of Lopez's production process of Abe Burrows' play Cactus Flower which was performed in the Ted Paul theatre November 8th through 18th, 2012. It is a record of Lopez's particular process from pre-production analysis to an examination of the final product manifested in the scenery for the production. It examines this production process in five chapters: pre-production analysis, historical and critical analysis, a production journal, post-production analysis and a record of process development concluding with three appendices and a works cited page.

Technical Direction Of Chicago, Joseph Jerome Skala

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This document provides a detailed and comprehensive record of Joseph Skala's process for the technical direction of Chicago, written by John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. It is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts in Theatre from Minnesota State Mankato. This thesis traces the technical director's process beginning with a preproduction analysis of the scenic design. It includes a historical and critical analysis of the production, a journal detailing the technical director's process, post production analysis and an analysis of the technical director's process development. Appendices and works cited are …

The Lighting Design For A Chorus Line, Jordan William Green

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This paper describes the process involved in designing the lighting for A Chorus Line with book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante and lyrics by Edward Kleban. The play was produced in the Ted Paul Theatre at Minnesota State University, Mankato and ran from October 4 - 14, 2012. The paper consists of five chapters and an appendix. The first chapter is an analysis of the script and the requirements for lighting the play. The second chapter is an historical and critical analysis of the play. The third chapter consists of a journal of the designer's experience and processes throughout …

A Costume Designer's Approach To Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, Angela Kristie Sahli

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

It is a detailed account of author Angela Sahli's artistic process in designing costumes for Minnesota State University, Mankato's production of And Then There Were None in the early spring of 2013. The thesis chronicles the designer's artistic process from pre-production through performance in five chapters: a pre-production analysis, a historical and critical perspective, a journal, a post-production analysis and a process development analysis. Appendices and works cited are included.

Scene Design Of A Chorus Line, Naoko Ishizuka Skala

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This document is a detailed account of Naoko Skala's design process for A Chorus Line by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante. It is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts in Theatre from Minnesota State University, Mankato. These documents trace the design process from the designer's preproduction analysis, historical and critical analysis and post production analysis of the effort. Included also is the designer's journal which documents the process chronologically from its inception through its realization. Finally, the designer has provided an analysis of her overall artistic development as it has been …

The Process Of Directing Edward Albee's The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia, Shelley Whitehead

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This paper will follow director Shelley Whitehead's process of bringing The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? by Edward Albee to production at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Within the paper the director discusses her initial concepts and ideas; a historical look at the playwright and play; journals regarding the rehearsal and performance process; a dissection of that process to ascertain success or failure of the ideas set forth in the first chapter; and a final look at how her years at Minnesota State Mankato shaped her as a director. Included in the paper is an Appendix to supplement the paper's findings. …

How To Improve Theatre Arts Education In Chinese Higher Educational Institutes, Ji Ding

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This document is a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the Master of Arts degree in theatre. Theatre Arts in China is in a state of decline. There are several possible ways to change this situation. This thesis will, through the comparison of Theatre Arts in higher education between China and the US, discuss what good lessons China may draw from the US in order to improve. The improved education of Theatre Arts in Chinese higher educational institutes may then be able to help the decline of Theatre Arts in China.

Play Selection Process Of Minnesota Catholic High Schools, Amanda Pyfferoen

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This document is a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the Master of Arts degree in theatre. It details the parameters and results of a survey distributed to Catholic high school theatre directors in Minnesota. The survey inquired about the process for selecting plays, what themes or lessons the directors refrain from presenting and if there is a need for a list of guidelines that could assist directors in selecting Catholic appropriate theatre pieces to present. There is further development of a proposed guideline and potential rating system that could be implemented into Catholic high school theatre programs.