Stone, Emily. 2014. The Actor's Voice as a Creative Role in Solo Performance of Playwright Neil Labute’s Medea Redux. Masters thesis, Goldsmiths, University of London [Thesis]

No full text available

Text (The Actor's Voice as a Creative Role in Solo Performance of Playwright Neil Labute’s Medea Redux) THE_thesis_StoneE_2014.pdf - Accepted Version Permissions: Administrator Access Only Download (1MB)

Abstract or Description

This practice-based research centers on four different elements of Stanislavski’s Acting System which include objectives, given circumstances, emotion memory and subtext. I choose to focus on a set of two interpretive elements as well as creative elements to examine an actor’s voice within the performance text based on playwright Neil LaBute’s Medea Redux—a one-act play from Bash: Latter-Day Plays. The practical performance and exploration of LaBute’s perspective leads to a conclusion which determines that an actor’s voice indeed serves as a creative vessel in collaboration with a dramatist (and my director, Joe Salvatore).

Although, significant evidence points to the actor’s interpretive qualities throughout dramatic production and analysis, a clear parallel between voice and creative properties of an actor’s contribution is paramount. Both elements emotion memory and subtext offer vast possibility for an actor to connect with a playwright’s creative material which is fundamental to the artist’s collaborative work. Whilst focused on a monologue piece with one actor and one playwright, both the dramatic text and mise-en-scene intersect on a creative level which is then tested by placing greater emphasis or concentration on the practice-led performance to offer meaningful understanding of all related concepts surrounding an actor’s voice.

In lieu of many contrasting views regarding this subject of an actor’s interpretive and creative nature, I sought to develop a linear approach to my research; the analysis and interviews with LaBute further provide dimension surrounding an actor’s trajectory of comprehensive questions rooted in a monologue text. The actor’s ability to interpret a dramatic story and character ultimately strengthens his creative role via solo performance. Therefore, an actor’s voice is essential for any dramatic character to fully develop or engage an audience within the context of artistic expression and performance text.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Identification Number (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.25602/GOLD.00010855
Keywords:	Actor’s Voice; Creative role in acting; Interpretive role in acting; Stanislavski; Actor’s Dramaturgy; Playwriting and Acting; Objectives, Given Circumstances, Emotion Memory, Subtext
Departments, Centres and Research Units:	Theatre and Performance (TAP)
Date:	3 November 2014
Item ID:	10855
Date Deposited:	04 Nov 2014 15:26
Last Modified:	08 Sep 2022 09:05
URI:	https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/10855

View statistics for this item...

Edit Record (login required)