An Examination of the Acting Career of Edmund Kean (open access)

An Examination of the Acting Career of Edmund Kean

The characterizations of Kean mirrored the deprivation which he suffered as a child, as well as his wild and volcanic nature. It is difficult in a study of Kean to divorce the actor from the man, and the man from the actor. This thesis concludes that each of these two aspects of this genius of the English stage exerted a profound influence upon the other.
Date: August 1972
Creator: Hutson, William F.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Burkeian Analysis of the Crimean War Speeches of John Bright (open access)

A Burkeian Analysis of the Crimean War Speeches of John Bright

This study investigates the motives behind the rhetorical strategies of rejection and acceptance used by John Bright in his four Parliamentary speeches opposing the Crimean War. Kenneth Burke's dramatistic pentad was used to evaluate the four speeches. An examination of the pentad's five elements reveals that Bright had six motives for opposing the war. To achieve his purpose in giving the speeches--to restore peace to England and the world--Bright' used the major rhetorical agencies of rejection and acceptance. Bright's act, his selection of agencies, and his purpose were all definitely influenced by the scene in which they occurred.
Date: August 1974
Creator: Bass, Jeff Davis
System: The UNT Digital Library
The History and Development of Casa Mañana Musicals, 1958-1980 (open access)

The History and Development of Casa Mañana Musicals, 1958-1980

The investigation is a historical survey tracing the development of Casa Mañana Musicals, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, from its experimental beginning in 1958 as the first permanent musical arena theatre in the United States, through twenty-three subsequent seasons. The study includes a chapter on the origins of theatre and the influences behind its concept dating back to the 1936 Casa Mañana produced by Billy Rose. Subsequent chapters deal with the theatre's seasons and its struggle to gain acceptance. The theatre's more recent financial and labor problems are also considered. Major sources include such unpublished data as production and financial records of the theatre, contracts, correspondence, minutes of the board of directors, and interviews. Published sources include accounts in newspapers and periodicals.
Date: May 1981
Creator: Jones, Jan Lynn
System: The UNT Digital Library
Communicating Christianity to the Ashanti Tribe: A Study in Cross-Cultural Communication (open access)

Communicating Christianity to the Ashanti Tribe: A Study in Cross-Cultural Communication

The problem with which this study is concerned is that of identifying the significant variables involved in cross-cultural communication and applying these concepts in communicating the Christian faith to Ashanti tribe members of central Ghana in West Africa.
Date: December 1972
Creator: Davenport, Donald Dewayne
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Writing and Producing of Pecos Bill and the Indians, an Original Musical Comedy for Educational Theatre (open access)

The Writing and Producing of Pecos Bill and the Indians, an Original Musical Comedy for Educational Theatre

The writing and producing of this musical comedy was a creative production thesis. The playwright also served as director and designer. The organization of the thesis is basically the organization of the project.
Date: August 1968
Creator: Overton, William T.
System: The UNT Digital Library
David Belasco's Naturalistic Stagecraft and Stage Lighting (open access)

David Belasco's Naturalistic Stagecraft and Stage Lighting

It is the purpose of this paper to make a general study of David Belasco's use of naturalism in the American theatre. More specifically, it is to determine Belasco's methods of achieving naturalism in his stage settings and lighting. From the study of his techniques and methods, and effort is made to establish his contributions to the naturalistic movement.
Date: January 1968
Creator: Boutwell, Ronald E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Love is the Answer: a Creative Thesis Production Combining Multi-Media and Oral Interpretation (open access)

Love is the Answer: a Creative Thesis Production Combining Multi-Media and Oral Interpretation

The problem of this thesis in creative production is concerned with the use of multi-media in an oral interpretation program so as not to obscure the author's message. The production attempted to utilize literature chosen to represent a basic theme and present it with selected media so that a positive response is evoked from the audience. The study also attempts to show, through example, that a program of oral interpretation using multi-media can sustain audience interest for a full evening of entertainment. An attempt is also made to show that multi-media need not be in constant use, that some literature can best utilize the "subtractive theory" which intensifies the message by deleting a majority of media.
Date: August 1971
Creator: Lane, Todd K.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Helen, Later: An Original Play (open access)

Helen, Later: An Original Play

The purpose of this play is to dramatize the change of government in ancient Greece from a matriarchy to a patriarchy and from rule by the Ionian to rule by the Dorian Greeks through the last years of Helen of Troy. Faced with a challenge by her husband, Menelaus, who wants his sons to rule, Helen manages through intrigue to arrange for her daughter to gain the throne. Helen herself becomes a "goddess."
Date: August 1977
Creator: Throop, Cheryl Ann
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Experiment in Open Theatre (open access)

An Experiment in Open Theatre

The purpose of this experiment has been to complete a challenging thesis production in the style and technique of Open Theatre, utilizing imaginative production effects. The purpose was also to provide a valuable experience for those actors and technicians involved, meeting the standards and requirements of educational theatre. The experiment evolved from adapting, designing, directing, and producing a twelve scene cutting from Megan Terry's Viet Rock and twelve episodes from Jean-Claude van Italliets The Serpent. The study was culminated with a one-evening performance of The serpent and Viet Rock on August 10, 1971. The style and technique of Open Theatre seemed to be well accepted and fulfilled the requirements which the script demanded. The reaction of the audience seemed to indicate that the response sought by the Comp any was accomplished. The conclusion may also be drawn that this experimental production was successful not only as art, but also as an evening of entertainment.
Date: August 1972
Creator: Peveto, Mildred A.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Symbolism in Afro-American Slave Songs in the Pre-Civil War South (open access)

Symbolism in Afro-American Slave Songs in the Pre-Civil War South

This thesis examines the symbolism of thirty-five slave songs that existed in the pre-Civil War South in the United States in order to gain a more profound insight into the values of the slaves. The songs chosen were representative of the 300 songs reviewed. The methodology used in the analysis was adapted from Ralph K. White's "Value Analysis: The Nature and Use of the Method." The slave songs provided the slaves with an opportunity to express their feelings on matters they deemed important, often by using Biblical symbols to "mask" the true meanings of their songs from whites. The major values of the slaves as found in their songs were independence, justice, determination, religion, hope, family love, and group unity.
Date: December 1976
Creator: Sebastian, Jeannie Chaney
System: The UNT Digital Library
Cutting and Adapting Prose and Poetry for Oral Interpretation (open access)

Cutting and Adapting Prose and Poetry for Oral Interpretation

The purpose of this study is to devise a method of developing competency in the cutting and adaptation of prose and poetry for oral interpretation. This method is a pervasive element of the thesis and consists of (1) general principles derived from theories expressed by both interpretation and literary authorities and from observations made in the classroom, (2) suggested guidelines for cutting specific forms of literature, and (3) illustration of these directives by application to selected prose and poetry.
Date: June 1970
Creator: Harlien, Rita Chambliss
System: The UNT Digital Library
Selective Reinforcement of Infant Vocalizations (open access)

Selective Reinforcement of Infant Vocalizations

Through observation of young children much has been learned regarding elementary word acquisition and ordering, sentence formulation, and expansion of verbal experience; but little research regarding what precedes "the word" has been done. The present study was concerned with that period in infancy prior to communicative speech production. The purpose of the present study was to answer the question: Can one selectively reinforce a particular babble?
Date: August 1967
Creator: Zepeda, Ruth Gill
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Impact of the Acting of David Garrick and Sir Laurence Olivier : A Comparative Analysis (open access)

The Impact of the Acting of David Garrick and Sir Laurence Olivier : A Comparative Analysis

Two men of genius who came from nowhere to break the rules were David Garrick in 1741 and Sir Laurence Olivier in 1937. These two men will be the major subjects of this thesis. Both Garrick and Olivier introduced new styles of acting to the theatre in Shakespearian plays.
Date: August 1968
Creator: Maberry, David R.
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Production Book for an Experimental Staging of Nikolai Gogol's The Inspector General (open access)

A Production Book for an Experimental Staging of Nikolai Gogol's The Inspector General

The January 17 and 18, 1966, thesis production presented at North Texas State University was an experimental production of The Inspector General, as based on historical, philosophical, and analytical study of both the play and the author, Nikolai Gogol. A thesis production consists of a written analysis and evaluation of the play and its author and the actual production of the play. The thesis production enables the candidate to illustrate his mastery of theatre discipline. The written portion demonstrates his ability to develop the concepts necessary to the production of a play, and the presentation of the play offers the candidate the opportunity to show his creativity and aesthetic understanding of theatre.
Date: August 1966
Creator: Peninger, John Edward
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Incidence of Speech Defects among Juveniles Exhibiting Antisocial Aggressive Behavior (open access)

The Incidence of Speech Defects among Juveniles Exhibiting Antisocial Aggressive Behavior

The question of maladjustment of individuals with speech defects and its subsequent manifestation is the basic issue of this thesis. The study was conducted to answer the question: "What is the incidence of speech defects among juveniles exhibiting antisocial aggressive behavior?"
Date: January 1968
Creator: Anderson, Samantha G.
System: The UNT Digital Library
History of the St. Charles Theatre of New Orleans under the Management of David Bidwell, 1880-1888 (open access)

History of the St. Charles Theatre of New Orleans under the Management of David Bidwell, 1880-1888

The objective of this investigation is to compile a chronological history of the St. Charles Theatre of New Orleans from 1880 to 1888, the last successful years of the theatre when it was under the management of David Bidwell. In order to clarify the role of the St. Charles Theatre as it reflected theatre art in New Orleans during the latter quarter of the nineteenth century, special attention will be given to the physical improvements of the theatre, the kind of entertainment provided, the personalities who appeared, and the critical comments of the local newspapers.
Date: May 1969
Creator: Roden, Sally Ann
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Survey of the Rhetorical Devices Employed by Women's Liberation Organizations in the United States (open access)

A Survey of the Rhetorical Devices Employed by Women's Liberation Organizations in the United States

Just as themes are important in the analysis of a movement, the means used to promote those themes are just as significant and that is the purpose of this paper. More specifically, the purposes are (1) to describe the sub-groups and report their goals, [2) to describe the numerous rhetorical devices extant in the movement, (3) to classify the subgroups into conservative or liberal categories: conservative, liberal, and those devices used by both conservatives and liberals, and (5) to suggest any trend of device usage which is apparent.
Date: December 1972
Creator: Simpson, Charles David
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Burkeian Analysis of the Rhetoric of Gloria Steinem (open access)

A Burkeian Analysis of the Rhetoric of Gloria Steinem

The purpose of this study has been to analyze the rhetoric of Gloria Steinem in order to determine how she uses identification in her attempts to unify the members of the Women's Liberation Movement and to enlist the cooperation of others outside the movement. The rhetorical theory and concepts of identification and consubstantiality developed by Kenneth Burke, literary and rhetorical critic, have been used in this study. The representative examples of Steinem's rhetoric which have been analyzed include a speech made at Southern Methodist University on February 3, 1972, Steinem's feature article "Sisterhood," which was published in the 1972 Spring Preview Issue of Ms. magazine, and a speech made by Steinem at the opening session of the National Women's Political Caucus in Houston, Texas, on February 9, 1973. This study has revealed Gloria Steinem to be, during the years from 1967 until the present time, a vital spokeswoman for the Women's Liberation Movement. The means through which Steinem chose to combat the oppression of women was rhetoric. The three examples of Steinem's rhetoric analyzed in this study indicate that her basic premise concerns the long-standing subjugation and exploitation of women by the ruling class -- white males.
Date: August 1973
Creator: Timmerman, Susan McCue
System: The UNT Digital Library
Maxwell Anderson : Preparation, Methods, and Views in Musical Comedy (open access)

Maxwell Anderson : Preparation, Methods, and Views in Musical Comedy

Even before he became a playwright, Maxwell Anderson developed a belief in the right of the individual to determine his own fate, and a hatred for anything that hampered that right. He never faltered in that belief. Thus, most of his plays have themes concerned with the evils of the abuse of governmental power and the social injustice that is the result of such abuse. It is the purpose of this thesis to study those beliefs as they were developed throughout severl preceding plays and as they were finally expressed in both Anderson's musicals, Knickerbocker Holiday (1938) and Lost in the Stars (1949).
Date: January 1969
Creator: Garlington, Donia
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Analysis and Production Book for a Staging of Jerry Bock's and Sheldon Harnick's The Apple Tree (open access)

An Analysis and Production Book for a Staging of Jerry Bock's and Sheldon Harnick's The Apple Tree

The problem with which this study is concerned is that of critically analyzing and producing the musical comedy The Apple Tree. The study attempts to adapt some of the major unifying elements of this production and, in addition, unite the show through the use of color. The study also attempts to update the production through an extension of symbolism based on the style of Peter Max; to produce a major musical comedy in a stylized and symbolic style, and to show how a stylized and symbolic method of production can be used to achieve simplicity and unity within the confines of a limited budget.
Date: May 1971
Creator: Foard, Robert B.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Rhetoric of Agitation and Control in the Chartist Movement in England, 1837-1848 (open access)

The Rhetoric of Agitation and Control in the Chartist Movement in England, 1837-1848

Chapter I includes a description of the Chartist Movement and discusses the criteria found in John W. Bowers and Donovan J. Och's Rhetoric of Agitation and Control that were used to analyze the agitation and control groups of the movement. Chapter II describes the ideologies of both groups. Chapter III analyzes the rhetorical strategies of the agitation group: petition, solidification, promulgation, polarization, non-violent resistance, and confrontation-escalation, and the strategies of the control group: avoidance and suppression. Chapter IV concludes that Chartist agitators effectively used rhetorical strategies; however, the control strategy of suppression was stronger and brought about the demise of Chartism.
Date: May 1974
Creator: McGee, Carla Creighton
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Descriptive Study of the Response of Selected Groups Toward Controversial Symbols and Slogans (open access)

A Descriptive Study of the Response of Selected Groups Toward Controversial Symbols and Slogans

The purpose of this study is twofold (1) to describe the functions performed by symbols and slogans in communicating ideas, and (2) to quantify the responses of selected groups to contemporary controversial slogans and symbols.
Date: December 1970
Creator: Fussell, Mira T.
System: The UNT Digital Library
New Shades of Clown White: a Study of Selected Comic Pantomimists in Europe and America 1920-1970 (open access)

New Shades of Clown White: a Study of Selected Comic Pantomimists in Europe and America 1920-1970

This thesis is neither a textbook of pantomime, with instructions for the development of mimetic expertise, nor a history of pantomime. What is recorded here is the personal philosophy of the art of pantomime advanced by Jean-Louis Barrault, Étienne Decroux, Charlie Chaplin, Marcel Marceau, and Red Skelton. The section devoted to each artist contains the portions of his biography pertaining to his development as a mime and a representative sample of critical reactions to his work. In addition to this purpose, this thesis also offers evidence that the comic style of pantomime underwent a change in nature in its use by the mimes who are studied here. Whereas the comic style was original! y unique to pantomimes that had no other intent but to produce laughter or, at most, pathos by physical comedy, these mimes took the comic pantomime into the realms of introspection and philosophy.
Date: August 1972
Creator: Phillips, J. Michael
System: The UNT Digital Library
An Oral Interpreter's Approach to Selected Poetry of Langston Hughes (open access)

An Oral Interpreter's Approach to Selected Poetry of Langston Hughes

The purpose of this study was to analyze for oral presentation a selected body of poetry by Langston Hughes. Because Hughes read his own poetry in lecture recitals throughout his career, which spanned more than four decades, it is appropriate that he be considered for such a study.
Date: December 1971
Creator: Osentowski, Mary
System: The UNT Digital Library