What 'tis to love : an honors thesis [(HONRS 499)]

Abstract

A two part thesis to be presented in the Spring of 1996 to fulfill the Senior Honors Thesis requirement for graduation from the Honors College at Ball State University. The thesis would be centered on a study of the male/female courting relationship in Shakespeare. The thesis would consist of a production and an accompanying paper. Dr. Judy Yordon has agreed to mentor the workshop production. Dr. William Liston from the English Department has also agreed to offer his expertise.Shakespeare cannot be studied without taking into consideration the element of performance. The Department of Theatre and Dance Performance's workshop production capability offers the perfect opportunity to study Shakespeare in this manner. The production would consist of a selection of Shakespearean courting scenes. These scenes will focus on the variance of power roles in relation to gender within the three accepted classifications (history, comedy, and tragedy) of Shakespeare's work. I intend to select scenes from the following works:Henry VV:iiiRichard IIII:iiAs You Like ItundecidedTwelfth NightundecidedRomeo and JulietundecidedMuch Ado About Nothing undecidedTaming of the ShrewundecidedThis workshop production offers a variety of opportunities to students. The cast will consist of 6 - 10 actors probably doubling roles. This will be a very collaborative event from the start, I intend to utilize the interpretive talents of the actors to their fullest. The majority of our rehearsals will consist of discussions and analysis between the actors in individual scenes and myself. After auditions I would meet with the group and collectively we will assign roles so that the actors will have the opportunity to play roles in which they are interested. I am also entertaining the possibility of a narrator figure to set the scenes and/or provide background information from my paper.The production will be simple. Actors will dress in nondescript black, lighting and stage effects will be minimal. Music however, will be included. Anita Hagerman, a fellow honors student, will be incorporating her thesis on Elizabethan music and history into this production. She will use either actual Elizabethan music or original music in a compatible style.Proposed audition dates are December 1 - 3. This early audition date will allow actors to read the plays over Christmas Break. I would begin rehearsals on the second or third week in January. The production would run April 11 - 14. I must clarify the need for such a long rehearsal process. The rehearsals in January and February would consist entirely of discussion and research. The traditional rehearsal process would not begin until March 11. None of these rehearsals would conflict with any spring departmental production. My course work will be completed at the end of this semester and therefore my full attention can be devoted to this project. I can (and will) rehearse at any time of the day and will work my schedule around that of the actors. This will allow me to work with multiple scenes each day.The performance aspect of this project is imperative to the project as I see it. I cannot justify a major study of Shakespeare that would not include performance. This project allows me to study Shakespeare in a complete manner and I feel it is a springboard for my further study--hopefully at the Shakespeare Institute of the University of Birmingham.While Shakespeare is intended for performance, it also calls for study in a literary manner. The research paper aspect of my project is intended to explore the canon in this way. It will be an expansion and elaboration of the ideas brought forth in the performance aspect of my project. I would include not only the plays performed, but also other plays in the canon. This part of my thesis will fulfill the Honrs 499 requirement for graduation from the Ball State University Honors College and I feel it will be of great use when applying to my chosen graduate school.This project is intended to be a culmination of my five (!) years of theatrical study at Ball State. While it would be an ending to my career as a Ball State student, it would also be a beginning to a career in theatre devoted to Shakespearean study. My passion for Shakespeare was rekindled in my recent journey to England and I hope to make the study and production of Shakespeare my life's work. It is my sincerest hope to bring his work to life in America as I felt it was alive in England.