Theatre and Film, Johnny Carson School of
Date of this Version
Spring 4-21-2011
Abstract
This document contains a graduate thesis and follows the creative process behind Aaron Sawyer’s direction of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s 2011 theatrical production of the play Dylan by Sidney Michaels. It contains seven sections depicting thesis production from the selection of the material to its completion and final reviews. The introduction establishes the perspectives and experiences that led me to this thesis. The pre-production section is comprised of an analysis of the script as well as research on the time-periods material to the play and its production. The director’s concept portion analyzes the dramatic structures contained within the play, and my aesthetic approach to design and performance styles. The production section consists of journal entries tracking the design and performance progress of the production. The post-production segment reviews the resulting performance from the perspective of faculty responders as well as my own. The conclusion section discusses the production’s journey in the context of both ideals and pragmatics.
Advisor: Virginia Smith
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 Virginia Smith. Lincoln, Nebraska: May, 2011
Copyright 2011 Aaron Sawyer