Date of Award
Spring 1980
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts
First Advisor
Wesley Van Tassel
Second Advisor
Craig Eisendrath
Third Advisor
Howard Barnett
Abstract
This thesis explores the process of developing a theatrical character, focusing on the role of Kathy in the play Vanities by Jack Heifner. Authored by Donna Spaulding as part of her Master of Fine Arts degree at The Lindenwood Colleges, the document provides an in-depth case study of how an actor constructs a character from script to stage. Drawing heavily on the Stanislavski System and the guidance of director Yvonne Ghareeb, Spaulding documents each phase of character creation—from initial script analysis through rehearsal and performance.
The thesis is structured around several key stages: analyzing the character, rehearsal, performance, and post-production evaluation. Central to the study is Kathy, one of three female characters whose evolving friendships form the core of the play. The document emphasizes the intellectual, emotional, and physical processes involved in building a character. A distinctive feature of the work is Spaulding’s use of a detailed character autobiography and rehearsal diary, offering insights into how personal reflections and improvisational exercises inform performance.
Through diary entries and descriptions of rehearsals, Spaulding demonstrates how she and her castmates explored the play’s themes of change, identity, and female friendship. The thesis also discusses practical elements such as dialect work, costuming, and the integration of personal memory into acting choices. A key argument is that authentic character development involves a fusion of textual fidelity, emotional truth, and ensemble dynamics.
This thesis contributes to performance studies by providing a comprehensive model for role preparation and character embodiment in contemporary theatre. It also offers valuable pedagogical insights for actors and directors interested in character-driven storytelling.
Recommended Citation
Spaulding, Donna, "How A Role Is Created: Kathy in Vanities" (1980). Theses. 1628.
https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/theses/1628
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