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Direction of the Play: Blithe Spirit Richard Shultz Central Washington University

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Direction of the Play: Blithe Spirit Richard Shultz Central Washington University Central Washington University ScholarWorks@CWU Graduate Student Projects 2011 Direction of the Play: Blithe Spirit Richard Shultz Central Washington University Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/thesis_projects Part of the Theatre and Performance Studies Commons Recommended Citation Shultz, Richard, "Direction of the Play: Blithe Spirit" (2011). Graduate Student Projects. Paper 36. This Graduate Project is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@CWU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Student Projects by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@CWU. Direction of the Play: Blithe Spirit A Project Report Presented to the Graduate Faculty Central Washington University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts Theatre Production by Richard Lee Shultz July, 2010 CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Graduate Studies We hereby approve the project report of Richard Lee Shultz Candidate for the degree of Master of Arts: Theatre Production APPROVED FOR THE GRADUATE FACULTY ~-;;;L'-f- JO Date of Prof essor Michael J. Smith Signature Committee Chair P-rofessor Scott Robinson Date of Signature Da~e of Professor Elise F orier Signature Please note: The signatures have been redacted due to security reasons. ABSTRACT PROJECT REPORT Blithe Spirit Derby High School Directed by Richard Lee Shultz July 2010 This project entailed the selection, background research and documentation, musical analysis, casting, direction, vocal coaching, and post-production analysis of Derby High School's production of Blithe Spirit. Documentation includes research and analysis of the play, its music, and an evaluation of the play as a production vehicle for the Department of Theatre Arts at Derby High School. CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Graduate Studies Final Examination of Richard Lee Shultz for the Degree of Master of Arts Theatre Production Committee in Charge Professor Michael J. Smith Professor Scott Robinson Professor Elise F orier McConnell Hall Black 138 July 29, 2010 lO:OOAM Richard Lee Shultz Courses presented for the Master's degree Number Course Course Title Of Instructor Quarter No. Credits Completed TH 501 Intro to Grad Studies 1 Bellah Summer 2006 TH 531 Mime & Movement 3 Bellah Summer 2006 TH 521 Curriculum & Program 3 Forier Summer 2006 Development TH 571 Design Methodology 3 Lane Summer 2006 TH542 Musical Theatre Directing 4 Smith Summer 2006 TH560 Stage & TV Makeup 3 Robinson Summer 2006 TH584 Puppetry In The Classroom 3 Hawkins Summer 2007 TH544 Acting Styles 3 Logan Summer 2007 TH 568 Lighting Techniques 3 Panttaja Summer 2007 TH510 Studies in Dramatic Literature 4 Forier Summer 2007 TH 540 Graduate Directing I 3 Smith Summer 2007 TH546 Teaching Shakespeare 3 Edie/ Summer 2008 Performance Forier TH539 Directing and 3 Luedtke Summer 2008 Teaching Young Actors TH 511 Analysis & Criticism 4 Joyce Summer 2008 TH541 Graduate Directing II 3 Imouru Summer 2008 TH700 Master's Thesis Project 4 Smith Summer 2008 TH 700.039 Master's Thesis Project 2 Smith Spring 2010 Total Credit Requirements - 5 3 BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION Richard Lee Shultz Undergraduate Study: Wichita State University, 1986-1989 BS Friends University, 1993 Graduate Study: Central Washington University, 2006-2010 Professional Experience: High School Teacher: 1989-2010 Table of Contents Section Page I Section I: Primary Information ............................................................................ 1 Copy of Committee and Option Approval Form ........................................... ....... 1 Copy of Playscript Approval Form ...................................................................... 2 Project Parameters ................................ ........................................................ .... ... 4 Permission of Hiring Authority at the producing Venue ............................ .. ......... 5 Evaluation of the Play as a Production Vehicle .. .................................................. 6 Concept Statement. ......................................... ................ .................................... 9 Project Schedule .............................. ... ....................... .............................. ......... 13 II Section : Pre-Production Analysis ...................................................................... 15 Given Circumstances ......................................................................................... 15 Analysis of Dialogue ......................................................................................... 19 Analysis of Dramatic Action with One Act Text Example ................................. 26 Character Analysis ............................................................................................ 5 7 Polar Attitudes ................................................................................................... 62 Ideas of the Play, Identification of the Main Ideas ............................................. 62 Summary of Previous Reviews .......................................................................... 64 Research on the Playwright ............................................................................... 66 A List of Learning Goals and/or Student Outcomes ........................................... 68 Sources Cited .................................................................................................... 71 III Section 3: Post Production Materials ................................................................. 72 Production Journal.... ......................................................................................... 72 Written Evaluations· of Project Committee ......................................................... 78 Final Self-Evaluation...... .................................. .................................... ............. 80 IV Works Consulted ............................................................................................... 84 V Appendices ........................................................................................................ 85 Appendix A: Supporting Materials .................................................................... 8 5 GRADUATE COMMITTEE AND OPTION APPROVAL FORM ·. CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Shultz I (Submit the original and three copies) ~ote: This form is to be completed as soon as the student has formed a committee and selected an option from the list below. Submit the original and three copies to the Office of Graduate Studies in Barge 305. StudentName___.-==~=-z~-=-~~~~--,.~~~~~~~~­ Birth Date Mailing Address Student ID City, State, Zipcode_ Date 06125/2008 Check option: Indicate credits to be received for the thesis or option: 0 Written Exam• -D Non-Thesis Project Course No. Title Credits r8I Creative Project TH700 Master's Thesis 6 D Studio Project Course No. Title Credits D Portfolio Review MLA6tti Ed. D Thesis Style Manual for Thesis or Project *Students taking written exam option may omit items 1-5 below. 1. Proposed IDirection of the Production of Blithe Soirit. Title: 2. Purpose of IThe direction of the production of Blithe Sojrit serves as the culminating exoerience in theatre arts I Study: graduate studies. 3. Scope of Documenl§tion based yQon the preparation of 12re-production research, the direction of lbe Study: Q[OdycljQ[] {including casting, ~hearsal of a~ors, smd QreQaration Qf the directQr'~ QroductiQ!J book), pQst-production evaluatjQn and oral e~f;!mination shall be[!efit the student and Theatre Arts department 4. Procedure to Thr~ Qha§es of §!yd~ §bi!ll t!§ incluged: 1 l Pre-Prodycljon Reseac~!l §nd Thesis be used: Documentaijgn, 2) R~hea!BI and gi[ection gf p[QQuction, 3} PQst-Prodyctjon evaluation and documeamtion. ' 5. Does the procedure involve collection of data obtained from Human Subjects (including use of surveys)? ............................................................ Yes- D No 181 Use of Animals? .......................................................................................................... Yes- D No 181 - If yes, your procedures must be approved in writing by the Human Subjects Committee or the Animal Care and Use Committee before you initiate your researoh. Michael Smith Committee Chair (typed or printed) Committee Chair (signature) Date EliseGLl ~e Forier fo@es. Edie E:'DLt. Committee Member (typed or printed) Committee Member (signature) Date, 'be.offScott Robinsonl<of>1N aoA.l Committee Member (typed or printed) Committee Member (signature) Date Approved by: Approved by: Dept Chair/Designee (signature) Date Associate VP of Graduate Studies Date GS&R 04/05 FORM B Please note: The signatures have been redacted due to security reasons. Shultz 2 MASTER'S THESIS PROJECT PLAYSCRIPT APPROVAL FORM (PLEASE MAKE SURE THA.T YOU HAVE READ THE PLAY SELECTION CRITERIA SECTION IN YOUR GRADUA.TE·HANDBOOK) PLAYWRIGHT(S) [If musical, list lyricist/composer}Noel Coward__ _______________ NUMBER OF ACTS_3 ___APPROXIMATE TOTAL PLAYING TME_2_HOURS_30_MIN. CAST (fill in with the appropriate numbers) MEN__ 2 WOMEN__ s CIDLDREN_____ OVER40 ___ _ ROLESREQUIRINGPEOPLEOFCOLOR_____ ROLESCOULDDOUBLE__ ___ TOTAL NUMBER OF CAST__ ? ___ OTIIER CASTING CONCERNS: ARTISTIC STAFF (check those needed for this play orpmductioo idea) MUSICAL DIRECTOR DANCE CHOREOGRAPHER__ _ FIGHT CHOREOGRAPHER DIALECT COACH__ x_SPECIALTY HIRE___ ( specify what kind) ORCHESTRA/BAND (specify what size)____ _ W'ill you be fulfilling any of1he above? yes If so, which? Dialect Coach with assistance from Michael Smith
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