Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation
5-2013
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
M.F.A.
Department
Theatre Arts
Committee Chair
Hottois, Michael F.
Author's Keywords
Benedick; Keeping audiences engaged; Beamer; Modernizing Shakespeare; Much ado about nothing
Subject
Shakespeare; William; 1564-1616--Characters--Benedick; Shakespeare; William; 1564-1616. Much ado about nothing; Acting
Abstract
This thesis briefly describes the process by which I was able to portray Benedick in William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing in November 2012; my own desire for approval from experienced artists; and the value of modernizing a Shakespearean text for the contemporary, University of Louisville audience. With the use of my own natural talent, the training I received from accredited institutions, and my work in the professional world, I was able to create a performance that was theatrically viable to my audience. I examine why I wanted to receive my Master’s Degree of Fine Arts and conclude that performing as Benedick has allowed me to achieve those goals. The thesis is comprised of five chapters including the search for approval, formal training and professional work, graduate training, Much Ado About Nothing, and conclusion. The first half of the thesis is focused on my personal and performance histories and their influences on training on the graduate level as well as the performance of Benedick. The latter half of the thesis is centered on how I created my performance.
Recommended Citation
Beamer, Jake, "The palm of my hand : keeping an audience engaged as Benedick in Much ado about nothing." (2013). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 88.
https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/88
