Performance of the Role of Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire"

Transcription

1 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Theses and Dissertations Performance of the Role of Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire" Shannon Leigh Webber University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Follow this and additional works at: Part of the Acting Commons Recommended Citation Webber, Shannon Leigh, "Performance of the Role of Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire"" (2013). Theses and Dissertations This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of For more information, please contact

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3 Performance of the Role of Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire

4 Performance of the role of Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts in Drama By Shannon Leigh Webber Piedmont College Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, 2010 May 2013 University of Arkansas

5 ABSTRACT This is a compilation of my work in both A Streetcar Named Desire and Down the Road. In this thesis you will find a portfolio of my work in both shows containing my artistry statement, programs, resume, photos and a link to my actor s website.

6 This thesis is approved for recommendation to the Graduate Council. Thesis Director: Amy Herzberg, M.F.A Thesis Committee: Michael Landman, M.F.A Mavourneen Dwyer, M.F.A

7 THESIS DUPLICATION RELEASE I hereby authorize the University of Arkansas Libraries to duplicate this thesis when needed for research and/or scholarship. Agreed Shannon Webber Refused Shannon Webber

8 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank my colleagues and the faculty and staff of the University of Arkansas s drama department for their constant support and encouragement. I have learned so much from you all throughout these past three years. Thank you for everything.

9 DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to my parents, Terry and Cindy Webber, without whom I would not exist. Thank you for never giving up on me and always encouraging me to follow my dreams, no matter how farfetched they may have seemed at the time. Your warmth and unfaltering support have brought me to where I am today and will continue to carry me into the future. I love you both with all my heart.

10 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. STATEMENT OF ARTISTRY 1 II. PRODUCTION PROGRAMS 2 A. Down the Road Program 2 B. A Streetcar Named Desire Program 4 III. ACTOR S WEBSITE 8 IV. PRODUCTION PHOTOS 9 A. A Streetcar Named Desire 9 B. Down the Road 10 V. WORKS CITED 11 VI. APPENDIX A: Program Use Permission 12

11 1 I. STATEMENT OF ARTISTRY I like to believe that my duty as an actor, in words of Sanford Meisner, is to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances. In order to achieve this goal I must find as much truth in the characters I portray as I do living my daily life. Meryl Streep says, Acting is not about being someone different. It's finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there. I believe the only way to truly breathe life into a character is to allow myself the freedom to live inside her skin while maintaining the ability to separate myself from the character when the piece is complete. In addition, I aspire to create theatre that evokes awareness and stimulates conversation. I hope to jumpstart the audience s imagination by collaborating with my peers as theatre artists. It is important that we not only think of ourselves as actors, designers and directors, but as artists with a common goal, to create theatre. In the future I wish to continue expressing my passions through theatre and I will never stop creating real, honest theatre as long as I have a stage, script and lights at my disposal.

12 2 II. PRODUCTION PROGRAMS A. Down the Road Program: Poster Designed by Brittany Daniels

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14 4 B. A Streetcar Named Desire Program: Poster designed by Brittany Daniels and Kelly Henry

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18 8 III. ACTOR S WEBSITE Access to my actor s website can be located at: shannonleighwebber.com My website includes: Bio, headshots, production photos, a second resume and video clips.

19 9 IV. PRODUCTION PHOTOS A. A Streetcar Named Desire Blanche and Stanley in Scene 1. Photo by the University Theater. Blanche and Stella in Scene 4. Photo taken by the University Theater.

20 10 B. Down the Road Iris and Dan Henniman in Scene 10. Photo by Esteban Arevalo Iris Henniman in Scene 3. Photo by Esteban Arevalo

21 11 V. WORKS CITED Blessing, Lee. Down The Road. New York. Dramatists Play Service, Inc., Print. Williams, Tennessee. A Streetcar Named Desire. New York. Dramatists Play Service, Inc., Print. Production Programs: A Streetcar Named Desire. Fayetteville, AR: University Theater, Print. Down The Road. Fayetteville, AR: University Theater, Print.

22 12 VI. Appendix A: Program Use Permission