Playwriting Commons^™

The Arab-Israeli Cookbook

Taylor Theatre Playbills

"The Arab-Israeli Cookbook" is a verbatim play written by British playwright Robin Soans. The script was created as a result of a collaboration with two directors, one Arab and one Jewish. The three of them went to Israel and interviewed a wide variety of people including farmers, fishermen, photographers, students, the young, the old, the orthodox, the unorthodox, those who were pessimistic and those who were hopeful. Soans used the interviewees' own words to tell their stories—to give voice to those caught up in the Arab-Israeli conflict. The composite picture that emerges in their stories demonstrates that regardless of labels …

Poor Relations: An Original Play By Robert Flaherty Hart, Robert Flaherty Hart

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this dissertation is to present my play, Poor Relations, to my thesis committee and discuss both the process of bringing it to the stage and the results of that process.

The dissertation opens with a narrative essay detailing the process of writing Poor Relations and bringing it to the stage in a full production. It discusses my initial idea for the play, the original draft and changes made after input from those at informal readings. It pays particular attention to the changes that were made during the rehearsal process for the full production.

Following is a copy …

Fingerpaint: A Drama In Two Acts, Audrey A. Moore

Senior Honors Theses

This thesis is a creative original work taking the form on a two-act drama entitled Fingerpaint. It follows the story of a twenty-two year old artist named Sandy and her older brother, John, who want to paint a city mural as a memorial for their uncle. The primary theme revolves around the idea of finding beauty in tension. This theme is developed as Sandy, an idealist, is forced to deal with difficult situations that will ultimately change the way she approaches life and art.

Browning, Mary Carmel, 1896-1980 (Sc 2895), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 2895. “Abe of the Ages,” a play about Abraham Lincoln by Sister Mary Carmel Browning, Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union (O.S.U.), Brescia College, Owensboro, Kentucky.

A Piece Of My Heart

Taylor Theatre Playbills

Taylor University Theatre presents Shirley Lauro's "A Piece of My Heart". This powerful play explores the true stories of six women in the Vietnam War: five nurses and a country western singer booked to entertain the troops.

Through The Eyes Of The Homeless, Aisha M. Soto

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

When reviewing the entire project from start to completion, I can honestly say, Through the Eyes of the Homeless is a play about ten women and their plight. It illustrates their dealings with everyday issues of hurt, disappointment, abuse, love, and hope. I believe the true impact of this play is the undeniable prayer for help and hope within each monologue. Despite the horrors that are unveiled and released through hidden secrets, the undertone of betterment is truly resonating. My own expectation for this play is simply to strike awareness and understanding in the eyes of the people. It is …

Wit

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University’s Fall 2014 performance of Wit by Margaret Edson.

Wit (or W;t) takes place over the final hours of Dr. Vivian Bearing, a university English professor, who is dying of Ovarian cancer. The course of the play is her reflecting on her life through the intricacies of the English language, particularly focusing on the wit found in the poetry of John Donne.

In this program the Jason Francis Memorial Scholarship Fund is announced.

Deweese Family Papers (Mss 504), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 504. Materials collected by Ray Paul DeWeese and Carolyn DeWeese, a brother and sister. Most of the collection is photocopied material of writings about the DeWeese family and Butler County, Kentucky history.

Miller, Russell Hale, 1905-1968 (Mss 498), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid for Manuscripts Collection 498 and full text of "Shakertown Revisited" (click on "Additional File" below). Working copies of scripts for two plays, “This Fair Land” and “Shakertown” by Russell Miller, a faculty member of WKU’s Department of Speech and Theater. Also includes working copies of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” by Herbert Kanzell and “The Boor” by Anton Chekhov, two plays that were staged by Miller.

On Technically Love: Discovering My Voice, Defining A World, Delving In, Nathan L. Eckstein

Lawrence University Honors Projects

This Honors Project is a two-part exploration of the playwriting process though application. The script itself, Technically Love; an Exploration of Love, Technology and Same-Sex Marriage, tells the story of Max and Danny, a same-sex couple living in Minnesota in 2013. The play follows their yearlong journey of posting YouTube videos about their wedding planning process that coincides with Minnesota’s fight for marriage equality. The second part of the project is my paper On Technically Love: Discovering my voice, defining a world, delving in. The paper explains the process that I went through to write the play and gives an …

The Miracle Worker

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University’s Spring 2014 performance of The Miracle Worker by William Gibson.

The Miracle Worker is based on the autobiography of Helen Keller.

This show was in memory of Dr. Oliver Hubbard, former professor and director of Taylor Theatre. The performance was directed and designed to be as close to the previous performance of The Miracle Worker Dr. Oliver Hubbard directed in 2002. The performance on May 3 was part of a full day dedicated to honoring his work and service. (See the playbill of "The Servant of Two Masters" for the schedule.)

A Den Of Thieves, Robert F. Gelberg

English Honors Projects

A Den of Thieves is a three-act play detailing the final three days of Jesus of Nazareth from the point of view of the two "thieves" with whom he was crucified. However, rather than a retelling of the Gospels, A Den of Thieves approaches the story through a historical lens, presenting a portrait of Jesus as a Jewish revolutionary leading a populist rebellion against Rome for which he was ultimately publicly executed for sedition. The play offers an examination of both faith and the foundations upon which we build faith.

Chaffin, Cyndi M. (Sc 1290), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 1290. Research paper, written 1981 or later, by WKU student Cyndi Chaffin, titled “Russell Miller and His Contributions to the Theatre in Bowling Green [Kentucky] from 1947-1968.” Miller taught drama and speech and directed theater productions at WKU.

Writing The Wrongs: How Gay And Lesbian Playwrights Use The Paranormal In Autobiographical Writing, George William Zorn

Dissertations

Playwrights have been using ghost and spirit-characters in stage works since the classical era. From their beginnings as speechless, vengeful catalysts and informational narrators, the ghost-character has evolved to something that would not be recognizable to Greek playwrights. This is no more evident than in the works of contemporary gay and lesbian dramatists. Examining the selected works of playwrights Claudia Allen, Larry Kramer and Victor Bumbalo will illuminate the use of ghosts and the paranormal by these playwrights as a way to overcome personal trauma by either creating closure with autobiographical scenes or by using the absence of these characters …

Freud's Last Session

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University’s Fall 2013 performance of Freud’s Last Session by Mark St. Germain.

Freud’s Last Session focuses on psychoanalyst Dr. Sigmund Freud who has invited Oxford professor C. S. Lewis to his London home. The two men enter debate about the existence of God, love, sex, and the meaning of life – only two weeks before Freud chooses to take his own.

The play was suggested by the best selling book The Question of God by Armand M. Nicholi, Jr..

Prodigal, Jonathan R. White

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Following a similar pattern of the classic Biblical story of “The Prodigal Son”, the play allows for a modernization of the characters and setting. Set in 1968, the playwright takes a look at what happened after the “Prodigal Son” returned home as well as the effect the return had upon the Son that stayed as well as the Father. How can family relationships survive in the midst of lies and turmoil of a time of great change in America’s history.

Just Let Me Fly, Jim Mcgovern

Other resources

‘Just Let Me Fly’ is a three act play by Jim McGovern. The underlying genre is tragedy with some dry humour and incidental music. The main theme is academic rivalry and the feeling of being repressed or bullied. The context is a department of aeronautical engineering at a university. An audio play variant is also available: ‘Fly Faster.’

The main character, Leonard Twiglet, is a middle-aged Reader in Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Selfridge. Between the spring of 2003 and the autumn of 2004 Leonard experiences a crisis that, without his realizing it, has been building up for years. …

Fly Faster, Jim Mcgovern

Other resources

‘Fly Faster’ is an audio play by Jim McGovern. The underlying genre is tragedy with some dry humour and incidental music. The main theme is academic rivalry and the feeling of being repressed or bullied. The context is a department of aeronautical engineering at a university. The play also takes an irreverent look at some engineering, academic and commercial attitudes and practices. It may contain some technical terms! A full three-act stage play variant is also available: ‘Just Let Me Fly.’

Leonard Twiglet runs a propeller-propulsion research grouping, called APPEAL, from the Department of Aeronautical Engineering at the University of …

Grundy, Sydney, 1848-1914 (Sc 2434), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scan (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 2434. Letter, 7 April 1891, of English dramatist Sydney Grundy to Richard M. Field, manager of the Boston Museum Company in Boston, Massachusetts, discussing the royalty payment scale for production of his play "Lady Jess."

Witness For The Prosecution

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University’s Spring 2011 performance of Witness for the Prosecution by Agatha Christie.

Witness for the Prosecution tells the story of a trial of a man named Leonard Vole for the murder of a wealthy older woman who made him her principle heir. During the trial his wife, Romaine, comes to testify not in his defense, but on the side of the prosecution.

The Count Of Monte Cristo

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University’s Spring 2011 performance of The Count of Monte Cristo, adapted by Charles Morey from the novel by Alexandre Dumas.

The Count of Monte Cristo is the story of Edmond Dantès, who is falsely accused of treason and is sent to prison. He and a fellow prisoner escape and discover a treasure, he returns as the Count of Monte Cristo to take revenge on the men who framed him.

They Reckon I Need A Dramaturg : Examining The Value Of A Dramaturg To Both The Playwright And The Professional Theatre Company In Australia, Polly Low

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis examines aspects of dramaturgy delivered by a dramaturg, and the practical contributions of dramaturgs to both the writer and the theatre industry in Australia. It investigates elements of the working relationship between dramaturgs and playwrights, looks at the chameleon-like nature of the theatre dramaturg and examines how Australian writers, directors and dramaturgs perceive the role/s of the dramaturg. The thesis is partly a reflective investigation of personal practice, partly an historical investigation of the emergence of Australian ideas about dramaturgy, and partly an active investigation into what can help to make a constructive playwright/dramaturg relationship. A major aim …

Miller, Russell Hale, 1905-1968 (Sc 2360), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Small Collection 2360. "Giants Lie Sleeping," by Russell Hale Miller, a thesis submitted for the Doctor of Education degree from the Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, New York. The thesis takes the form of a play based on the history of the cave region of western Kentucky's Green River valley.

We Will Not Be Silent

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University’s October 2010 performance of We Will Not Be Silent. by William Gebby.

During the darkest days of WWII, a handful of German college students distributed thousands of anti-Nazi leaflets and worked toward unifying resistance across Germany. They called themselves the White Rose, and their faith drew them to engage in a fight that would cost them their lives. William Gebby’s brand new play celebrates the lives of these brave young people who would not and will not be silent.

Performed by the Taylor Touring Company.

Doubt

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University’s Fall 2010 performance of Doubt by John Patrick Shanley.

Doubt: A Parable is the story of a fictional Catholic school in Bronx and the clash between the parish priest, Father Flynn, and school’s principal, Sister Aloysius, over the suspicion that Flynn molested an alter boy.

This play is performed by the faculty and staff of Taylor University.

La Fragilitat Del Paisatge, Sharon G. Feldman

Latin American, Latino and Iberian Studies Faculty Publications

Dins de la galáxia teatral formada per estrelles de grans i petites dimensions que és l'escena catalana contemporània, Josep M. Benet i Jornet (Barcelona, 1940) és com un cometa; no un d'aquells estels fugaços que apareix en una de les seves obres més reeixides (Fugaç, 1992), sinó com un cometa la trajectória creativa del qual ha estat marcada per un procés constant d'evolució i renovació estètiques, un cometa que ha deixat una lluïssor indeleble, que li ha permès d'omplir el buit entre generacions. Es podria afirmar que Benet i Jornet és el dramaturg en vida més eminent i …

The Miracle Worker

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University’s Fall 2002 performance of The Miracle Worker by William Gibson.

The Miracle Worker is based on the autobiography of Helen Keller.

Marvin’S Room

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University’s Spring 2000 performance of Marvin’s Room by Scott McPherson.

The Last Night Of Ballyhoo

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University’s Spring 1999 performance of The Last Night of Ballyhoo by Alfred Uhry.

Great Gardens!, Joshua Brady

Inscape

No abstract provided.