Theatre and Film, Johnny Carson School of
Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film: Theses, Student Research, and Creative Work
First Advisor
Harris Smith
Date of this Version
5-2010
Document Type
Thesis
Citation
A thesis presented to 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
Abstract
This thesis documents the performance process I underwent while tackling the role of Cordelia in William Shakespeare’s King Lear in the November 2009 production at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This document is the culmination of a three-year endeavor to attain a Master of Fine Arts in Acting. There are three main sections. In Part One, I focus on Cordelia’s presence in the story of King Lear, before Shakespeare ever wrote his version, in order to compare and contrast earlier Cordelias to Shakespeare’s Cordelia. In this discussion and the ones that follow, I focus on the traditional conception of the character of Cordelia as simple and one-dimensional, and in the end, I argue that modern audiences, and I as the actor, are not satisfied with a character who exhibits her virtuousness only through steady calm and sweet composure. Part Two comprises the journal I kept during the rehearsal process of King Lear from the first day of rehearsal until closing night. It is an informal and personal piece that describes my frustrations, elations, musings, and discoveries that are all normal to an actor’s exploration of a role. Part Three is a collection of critiques from the three main members of the Graduate Acting faculty at UNL. In this portion, each faculty member provides his or her insight as it relates to my performance of my thesis role and my general progress as an actor here at UNL. I also include appendices to each section, including a brief selection of annotated bibliographies, images, journal entries, a theatre review, and feedback transcriptions. Advisor: Harris Smith
Comments
Copyright 2010, Mary Lucy Lockamy. Used by permission