Virginia Commonwealth University VCU Scholars Compass Theses and Dissertations Graduate School 2011 The Actor as Vessel: A Journey Towards Citizen Artistry Joseph Carlson Virginia Commonwealth University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd Part of the Theatre and Performance Studies Commons © The Author Downloaded from https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/2476 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at VCU Scholars Compass. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of VCU Scholars Compass. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. The Actor as Vessel: A Journey Towards Citizen Artistry A thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Masters of Fine Arts in Theatre Pedagogy with emphasis in Performance specializing in The Use of Ritual Poetic Drama Within the African Continuum from Virginia Commonwealth University By Joseph Anthony Carlson Bachelor of Fine Arts, Virginia Commonwealth University 2008 Masters of Fine Arts, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2011 Thesis Director Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Theatre Virginia Commonwealth University Acknowledgement My grandmother Carlson taught me that the most important thing in life are the relationships you forge with people encountered along the journey. For seven years I have walked the path of artist in training during which time I have been fortunate to meet an innumerable bounty of brilliant, creative, self-motivated artists whom have been a source of inspiration for years. From the folks that first let me try out my talents as a teacher in student run movement laboratories, to my third year acting students who have facilitated my journey as a teacher; I thank you.