Date of Award
1986
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts
Department
Theatre
First Advisor
Groff Bittner
Second Advisor
Niki Juncker
Abstract
Jannell L. Robinson’s thesis explores the vital role of communication in theatre, both in acting and directing. The study highlights how directors must effectively convey their artistic vision to actors, designers, and stage managers to ensure a cohesive production. Through her experiences as an actress in Harold Pinter’s The Lover and Mark Medoff’s Healure, Robinson analyzes character development using the Stanislavski method, emphasizing emotional depth and psychological realism. She details her challenges and discoveries in portraying complex female roles, including the necessity of improvisation, physical commitment, and character backstory creation.
Robinson also examines her directorial process in staging A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking by John Ford Noonan. She discusses the complexities of guiding actors while balancing humor and realism in the performance. The thesis includes rehearsal journals, documenting how artistic decisions evolved over time and how collaboration between actors and directors is essential for successful storytelling. Ultimately, Robinson concludes that clear communication, trust, and adaptability are key to the creative process in theatre. Through firsthand experience, she illustrates the challenges and rewards of working in both acting and directing, offering insight into the intricate dynamics of theatrical production.
Recommended Citation
Robinson, Jannell L., "One Actor/Director Among Millions" (1986). Theses. 1291.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/theses/1291
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