Keywords

Coffee, Ensemble, Liminal, Cafe, Rehearsal, Space

Abstract

The ensemble is the heart of any rehearsal process, and a sense of community as an ensemble is enriched more in the moments between rehearsing than in the rehearsal room itself. Approaching the ensemble from this perspective, this thesis examines how this connection can be strengthened or deepened by observing the history of the coffee shop social space. I implemented this lens of community into the rehearsal process by constructing a pared-down cafe space adjacent to the rehearsal room that elevated coffee beyond its “grab and go” forms into an enriching sensory experience where the cast and creative team were invited to sit a while before and between rehearsals. I constructed this space for the students and faculty of two Theatre UCF productions, offering a once-weekly coffee bar that aimed to foster ensemble through ritualized sensory elements, like the aroma of the drink or the warmth of the cup in your hand. In examining this project and the feedback from participants, I turn to the theories of space, ritual, and community to illustrate how the Coffee Corners deepened our relationships with each other as members of the ensemble as a whole.

Completion Date

2025

Semester

Spring

Committee Chair

Julia Listengarten

Degree

Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)

College

College of Arts and Humanities

Department

Theatre

Identifier

DP0029377

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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