Directing texts are inadequate in their various approaches to teaching the concepts of stage-composition. The goal of this thesis was to show that, for an approach to stage composition to be judged adequate, it must systematically provide the student of directing with a firm grounding in design and compositional principles as they relate to the total stage picture. Nineteen texts were studied and their presentations of compositional principles were analyzed. Eight texts are included in an in-depth structural analysis. The texts analyzed are Fundamentals of Play Directing by Alexander Dean, The Art of Play Production by John Dolman, Play Direction by John Deitrich, Principles of Theatre Art by H. D. Albright, W. P. Halstead, and Lee Mitchell, Directing Methods by Albert and Bertha Johnson, Play Directing by Francis Hodge, Creating Theatre by August Staub and Creative Play Directing by Robert Cohen and John Harrop. The analysis of these texts includes a detailed comparison of terminology· and approaches to the presentation of compositional principles. Of the nineteen texts included in this investigation, only one, Creating Theatre by August Staub, presented a systematic approach to design fundamentals and compositional principals as they relate to the director's function. Also included in this thesis are the writer's criteria for judging the adequacy of approaches to composition in any directing text. The conclusion reached by the writer is that the authors of texts on directing, as well as the schools that offer programs in theatre arts, need to emphasize design fundamentals as an essential element in any theatre student's training.

Gay actors have a long history with the notion of “straightening up” to remain castable and economically feasible in today’s market. Searching to find answers for young acting students while strengthening their own self worth, I will explore the history of gay actors in film, television and theatre and in society to understand this notion more fully. By interviewing working actors and managers in the business I will explore how I can address this question of “straightening up” to the future generation of actors and analyze how we can face the future with integrity and self-respect.

My thesis gives insight on directing a main stage production at the collegiate level as a student. Specifically directing Tradin’ Paint, an original piece from playwright Catherine Bush a native of Abingdon Virginia, and a company playwright for the Barter Theatre. In the thesis I discuss how I arrived at different conclusions for my show through different research. I discuss the experience of being a director over professors, and my own peers, and how all of these challenges and discoveries eventually gave me a finished product to be proud of. If a director were to look at this work, they will find chapter two interesting, as it is my prompt book, with blocking and little notes on the script. This thesis is a great representation of a student directing thesis: Directing a Main stage Show.

This book breaks down complex entertainment rigging (theatre and arena) calculations and makes them easy to understand. It also provides hints for remembering many rigging formulas. It is a great resource for anyone studying for either ETCP rigging exam, and includes an explanation of the equations found on the ETCP Certified Rigger - Formula Table. The third edition has a greatly expanded section on arena rigging, as well as more material and appendices for theatrical rigging. Also, this edition has links to even more free downloads of Excel workbooks for arena rigging. Beginning riggers will find this an excellent textbook and experience riggers will find it as a great reference book. / https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu_books/1051/thumbnail.jpg

This book breaks down complex entertainment rigging (theatre and arena) calculations and makes them easy to understand. It also provides hints for remembering many rigging formulas. It is a great resource for anyone studying for either ETCP rigging exam. The second edition has a greatly expanded section on arena rigging, as well as more material and appendices for theatrical rigging. Also, this edition has links to free downloads of Excel workbooks for arena rigging. Beginning riggers will find this an excellent textbook and experience riggers will find it as a great reference book. / https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu_books/1074/thumbnail.jpg

In this thesis, I explore how performance storytellers create intense focus on imaginal realities through language—a phenomenon sometimes called “transport” or “realm-shift.” To this end, recordings of performances by two professional storytellers were transcribed and examined through the lens of frame theory and discourse analysis. Examination of these transcripts shows that storytellers employ clusters of linguistic involvement strategies around frame transitions, facilitating realm-shift. Additionally, it shows that throughout a telling, tellers shape discourse around frame shifts that draw attention to significant elements, particularly those that establish a story’s relevance to the occasion of its telling and those that contribute to meaningful story interpretation. This research highlights the ways that meaningful interpretation of a story depends on successful navigation of frames, revealing that the power of a storytelling event depends largely on the connections between realms of discourse.

ABSTRACT My project for this Interdisciplinary Master’s Program, studying Film Theories and Media Production methods, details “A Production Process for Creating a Web Series, called SNAPtv”. This media production was designed to demonstrate my experience and knowledge I gained through this degree, by specific areas of developing and producing media, including script writing, filming and editing media content, to construct an original web series from Pre-Production to Post-Production. SNAPtv is a hybrid, sketch comedy, talk show produced as an online web series that mimics the characteristics of a semi-scripted Reality-Television series and combines the elements of a talk show with short comedy scenes used as segues for entertainment. This original web series SNAPtv, features the lives of four students who move into a co-ed dormitory at Cal State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). As freshmen students, they embark on a new but similar journey to achieve their academic endeavors while experiencing diversity, social and racial inequalities and situations relevant to those of college students. These issues included, the cost of an education, pressures of studying, time management and adjusting to college life. This web series will launch from within the CSUSB’s own media channel to produce the first pilot webisode for SNAPtv, titled “MOVING IN”. This project will provide a sample production packet in the form of a manuscript for the development of this web series. This project will include a completed sample production packet containing the documents necessary to create SNAPtv’s pilot webisode, including essential procedures and functions of The Production Process for developing and producing media. SNAPtv will demonstrate my current knowledge and understanding of producing media for the Entertainment Industry while outlining my production process for creating SNAPtv

ABSTRACT Agnes of God is the story of a nun (Agnes) who gets pregnant while living in a convent. She almost dies after giving birth to a baby, who was later found dead in a garbage can. The cast consists of three members: Agnes; Mother Miriam Ruth (Mother Superior); and Dr. Martha Livingstone, the court appointed psychiatrist. Faith is tested as Dr. Livingstone draws closer to uncovering the truth surrounding the conception, birth, and death of Agnes’ baby. I performed the role of Mother Superior in the UNO production of Agnes of God. This thesis documents my rehearsal and performance journey. It includes a rehearsal journal and an evaluation of my performance. The play was performed in the Lab Theatre of the Performing Arts Center on November 5 and 6; November 14 and 15; and on November 19 and 20. Agnes of God is based on a true story. Keywords: Mother Superior, Agnes, Pielmeier, Sacrifice, Nun, Maureen Murphy

This thesis introduces an obscure storytelling device, The Unsung Hero character, as one way of examining how movies function as stories. This character is often overlooked, as it frequently cloaks its idiosyncrasies, thus it lacks any apparent signs of internal conflict. This analysis foregrounds the character’s overall functionality, found only in rare instances and typically in the story of a movie. With effective implementation in a story, as a functional harbinger device, brief appearances of The Unsung Hero character demonstrate flashpoints or disclosures of a forthcoming misfortune in the story. This movie analysis shows how The Unsung Hero character functions effectively as a harbinger device in stories.

Reflections is a dance I choreographed and performed on February 25, 2022 in studio 205 Campus Center Building at East Tennessee State University. The dance explores the relationship between a dancer’s mind and body and uses mirrors and repetition to express the dancers’ perception of their flaws and insecurities. The following thesis, Reflections: Battling Body Image as a Dancer, analyzes the artistic elements of the choreographic process, my experiences as a dance student at ETSU from 2018-2022, as well as my training in my youth. My research for this thesis involves exploring the history and craft of choreography including the fundamentals of Laban Movement Analysis. In addition, my research includes a survey concerning body dysmorphia in dancers. In theory and practice, I accepted the challenge of stepping outside my comfort zone to create an emotional and physical dance composition that serves to demonstrate a dancer fighting a battle with body image.