Date of Award
6-1998
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts
Department
Theatre
First Advisor
Bryan C. Reeder
Second Advisor
Donnell Walsh
Third Advisor
Ann Canale
Abstract
Christopher J. Stephens’ thesis, Mirroring the Life of Their Times: The Group Legacy in the Changing Face of Theatre, explores the enduring influence of the Group Theatre on American theatre practice, particularly in actor training and ensemble performance. Founded during the Great Depression, the Group Theatre was inspired by the work of Stanislavski and the Moscow Art Theatre, but evolved its own distinct ideology rooted in realism, political engagement, and emotional truth on stage. Stephens traces the formation of the Group through the efforts of Harold Clurman, Cheryl Crawford, and Lee Strasberg, examining their emphasis on ensemble acting, psychological realism, and their resistance to the commercialism of Broadway.
The thesis details the development of the Group’s unique rehearsal techniques, including Strasberg’s use of emotional memory, and explores how internal disagreements—especially over acting methods—contributed to the company’s eventual disbanding. Stephens also highlights the legacy of the Group’s members, such as Stella Adler, Elia Kazan, and Clifford Odets, whose influence extended through their teaching and productions long after the Group’s dissolution. The study concludes that the Group Theatre played a pivotal role in reshaping American theatre, embedding a focus on authenticity, social responsibility, and actor-centered storytelling that continues to resonate today.
Recommended Citation
Stephens, Christopher J., "Mirroring the Life of Their Times: The Group Legacy in the Changing Face of Theatre" (1998). Theses. 1334.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/theses/1334
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