Date on Master's Thesis/Doctoral Dissertation
5-2017
Document Type
Master's Thesis
Degree Name
M.F.A.
Department
Theatre Arts
Degree Program
Theatre Arts, MFA
Committee Chair
Burton, Nefertiti
Committee Member
Calvano, Jenn
Committee Member
Hall, Ann
Author's Keywords
exuberance; energy; Baltimore; theatre; acting; guide
Abstract
This thesis documents my discovery of exuberance as the key to a successful performance and reveals the challenges I faced in developing a character whose major actions in the play fall into the category of masking (i.e. hiding, avoiding, dodging). I define exuberance and discuss how I came to understand that sustaining exuberance requires a great deal of technical expertise specifically in acting, movement and voice in order to accommodate the demands of the character. I contend that exuberance also requires commitment and nurturing of the actor’s personal artistic vision. This thesis will discuss some of the difficulties I faced in building the character, Shelby Wilson; the application of class work that served me best in rehearsal; and the evolution of trust needed in the text, the ensemble and myself.
Recommended Citation
Smart, Danielle, "Finding exuberance for the role Shelby in Baltimore." (2017). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2637.
https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/2637
