Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation

5-2024

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

M.F.A.

Department

Theatre Arts

Degree Program

Theatre Arts, MFA

Committee Chair

Calvano, J. Ariadne

Committee Member

Carter, Rachel

Committee Member

Tolson, Jerry

Author's Keywords

theatre; acting; mental health' self care; strategies

Abstract

In this thesis, the benefits of having mental health resources, practices and/or coordinators on set or available to help mitigate the mental health challenges that actors may face when portraying complex characters or engaging in emotional experiences while acting, are examined. Actors are required to fully immerse themselves into characters to ensure a full embodiment of the role being played. Without appropriate measures in place to address the actors’ feelings, emotions, and psychological state before, during, and after a production, the actor stands the risk of absorbing the impact of the character with no strategy for how to address the subsequent negative mental health impact. Embodying the character of Caesar Wilks in Gem of the Ocean involved confronting the beliefs, feelings, and parts of myself that existed beneath the law abiding, courteous, strong, resilient African American male mask that I present every day. This challenge supports the need for resources and coordinators to help actors navigate challenging roles and experiences in theater productions.

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