The Heroic Struggle of Pleasing a Mad King: An Actor’s Exploration of the Earl of Kent in William Shakespeare’s King Lear

Authors

Robie A. Hayek, University of Nebraska at LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

5-2010

Comments

A THESIS Presented to the faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Master of Fine Arts Major: Theatre Arts Under the Supervision of Professor Harris Smith Lincoln, Nebraska May, 2010 Copyright 2010 Robie A. Hayek

Abstract

This thesis is the research and analysis of the creative process I used in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film’s 2009 production of King Lear. It is comprised of three main parts. Part One: Research explores the life and work of William Shakespeare. Part Two: A Study of King Lear examines the history of King Lear including major themes and performance history. Part Three: Process provides insight to the thought process of an actor while building a character. Additional materials include documentation of the rehearsal and performance, script analysis, and critical responses to the actor’s performance.