Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation
5-2016
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
M.F.A.
Department
Theatre Arts
Degree Program
Theatre Arts, MFA
Committee Chair
Kelly, Baron
Committee Co-Chair (if applicable)
Burton, Nefertiti
Committee Member
Burton, Nefertiti
Committee Member
Tolson, Jerry
Author's Keywords
The Piano Lesson; August Wilson; Black; African American
Abstract
The rehearsal process of theatre art entails several steps leading up to performance. Traditionally, the ensemble will discuss together what is needed to produce the theatrical piece, the director will work with each scene individually, and eventually the ensemble will be able to perform the entire piece, with only polishing left to do before performance. This process varies depending on the type of genre that will be performed. The rehearsal process to produce plays that are written with realistic settings and plot lines often, but not always, involve these steps. In order for this process to be productive, as an actor I must take individual steps leading up to performance, in addition to working with the ensemble during rehearsal. This thesis will analytically reflect upon the steps I took before and during the rehearsal process leading up to my performance of Berniece Charles, in August Wilson’s, The Piano Lesson. In this examination, I will rediscover how these steps were necessary toward my understanding and portrayal of Berniece. In Chapter 1, I will justify my interpretation of Berniece based on character analysis that describes her socioeconomic status, her childhood, and her relationships with the other characters in the play. In Chapter 2, I will discuss August Wilson’s use of musicality and blues inspired language as a means of understanding Berniece’s psychology. Lastly, in Chapter 3, I will explain how research and script analysis worked together with my imagination to physically, psychologically, and emotionally craft my performance of Berniece Charles.
Recommended Citation
Handy, Candice Renee, "The process of empathetic bonding with Berniece Charles." (2016). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2385.
https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/2385
