In this article, we discuss theater productions we mounted in the Marshall Islands as a case example of how the theatrical process, shaped by "polycultural" inclinations, contributes to the personal development of youth in the Marshall Islands. We contextualize and detail a unique theatrical process that has potential for fostering…

An artists' residency in a primary school in regional Victoria Australia staged a production of Shakespeare's "King Lear" in a local theatre. A qualitative, reflective practitioner research study into this project collected and analysed data from participating children and their community audience that gave some insight into their…

The Saturday morning acting class in the Pearson Hall auditorium at Miles College boasts the school's highest attendance all year. The teacher, actress Robin Givens, was a lure few students--and others from surrounding areas--could resist. Some came to learn about their prospective field from a professional. Others were there for pointers to…

Reports on an on-site survey of six outstanding theatre programs in Las Vegas, Omaha, Minneapolis, Fort Wayne (IN), Flint (MI), and Midland (TX). Notes their successful features: high-energy leaders, total child concept, clear goals, outstanding facilities, play selection, etc. Covers actor training in depth. (PD)

Discusses panoramas, a quasi artistic-theatrical genre that flourished throughout the nineteenth century and which were, in their own right, a dramatic genre which captured and held the attention of an audience through a combination of broad narrative line, graphic description, telling verisimilitude of action, and infectious comic intrusions.…

The policies, purposes, and guidelines of "Stage 40," an educational repertory company for students, are presented in this paper, which also explains how the company functions. The paper discusses the company's history, the relationship between the company and academics, and the responsibilities of a company member. Letters by the board…

Repetition in vocal characterizations and deviant listening perceptions are two major weaknesses of American acting. That is, voices and diction usually sound the same in everything the actors do, but no one perceives it. One reason listening is so deficient is because of the uninformed or incorrect concepts of those who practice or teach acting.…

For four years Colorado Caravan has brought plays and workshops to an average of 60,000 people a year in all parts of the state, focusing on performing in schools but also reaching out to mental institutions, community centers, prisons, hospitals, and homes for the elderly. This document contains four training manuals which provide practical…

Describes an effective technique the author uses in college productions to combat staleness in rehearsals and to help actors make new discoveries about their roles. (PD)

This guide presents a technique for actors for getting into character spontaneously. Certain sections of the book address the actor, others address the director, and some make no distinction. The actor-director relationship is addressed as complex and critical to this acting approach. Suggestions are given for using this approach with children.…

Directors of plays can make rehearsals interpretively productive, but they must first reject directorial approaches such as beginning rehearsals without analyzing the script, projecting images of the play as it is read, and using the script merely to summarize meanings, static themes, morals, and nothing more. Making rehearsals interpretively…

The open stage is discussed both as architecture and as part of a new theatrical style. In reference to use of the open stage, emphasis is given to specifics with which the director must deal, to special problems of the actor, to the approach to blocking a play, and to the open stage as "theatrical experience". The architectural advantage of the…

A comparison of children's theater groups from around the world shows that the Russians are lavish, the Rumanians are earthy, and the Americans innovative. (Editor)

Clarifying for both the playgoer and the playmaker the concept of theater as an institution for game-playing, this book analyzes the identifiable urges common to all theatergoers and deals with their immediate emotional experiences. Directing its discussion primarily to playwrights and directors and only secondarily to actors and scenic artists,…

This collection of abstracts is part of a continuing series providing information on recent doctoral dissertations. The 15 titles deal with the following topics: (1) a taxonomy of educational objectives in acting; (2) contemporary musical theatre in Utah; (3) applying management concepts to educational theatre operations; (4) creative drama and…