Date of Award

5-2024

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Departmental Honors

Department

Theatre Arts

Abstract

The creation of It Started On A Stage aimed to answer if any amount of experience with theater can affect an individual. The show is a devised piece inspired by a series of interviews with 15 subjects. Devised theater is a branch of applied theater where individuals collaborate on creating the script. The interviewees all had varying levels of experience in differing fields of expertise. I asked them a series of questions regarding their past and current experiences with theater. Regardless of their level of involvement or whether they were currently pursuing it, all of these participants agreed that theater had impacted them and their careers today.

I transcribed these interviews and used the dialogue from the interviews to create a short 16-scene radio play. The show was created in a digital format, making it accessible worldwide. I collaborated with actors across the country, and they recorded their lines individually and sent them in for me to create the final performance. I then posted the first performance on YouTube to accommodate audiences everywhere so they could access it for free and at their own convenience. Around the time of graduation, I posted a secondary option which was an immersive version of the performance on YouTube.

The show told these interviewees’ stories of how they started in theater, their love for it, and what they wish could be different. It also explored universal themes of support, accessibility, representation, and inclusivity while validating all experiences and the positive impact they made. I removed any detailed information that could point back to the interviewees to respect their privacy and allow audiences to identify and reflect on their experiences.

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Faculty Mentor

Amanda Dawson

Departmental Honors Advisor

Stephanie White