With Liberty & Theater for All: Revisiting Theatrical Skills in Community

Svarz, Stephanie R.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/78080 Copy

Description

Title

With Liberty & Theater for All: Revisiting Theatrical Skills in Community

Author(s)

Svarz, Stephanie R.

Contributor(s)

Morrissette, J.W.

Issue Date

2015-06

Keyword(s)

• Theater Studies
• Theater
• Community
• Theatrical Skills

Abstract

Theater is engaged in a constant battle to survive as the digital age and Netflix take the entertainment stage by storm. A large percentage of the American population understands theater through stereotypes and misconceptions and, as a result, disengages with the art form. However, theater has an incredible skill set required of the individuals working within it. Collaboration, synthesis, analytical/critical thinking, creative problem solving, efficient/effective decision making, flexibility and compassion are all required on a daily basis to work in the theater world. So, how could we create open, dynamic spaces that allow anyone to develop this skill set, in a less daunting way than committing to a life as a struggling artist? What would happen if new groups of people developed a passion or interest in theater? My work focuses on making this theatrical skill set accessible to individuals outside the performing art community. Through a series of workshops conducted over the last year, I have developed a program, The Off Stage Studio Project, that allows participants to learn about theater and develop to this skill set in an engaging and helpful way. Theater began as a community tradition, an exciting, inclusive and accessible art form. Through my research, I am working to take theater and reintroduce it to the communities from which it came.

Type of Resource

image

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/78080

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2015 Stephanie R. Svarz

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