Keywords

Young Adult Novel, TYA, Taboo, Theatre, Sexually Violent Offenses, Michel Foucault

Abstract

For my thesis, I have written a young adult novel first-draft manuscript that explores the reality of sexually motivated offenses in the United States. East coast kids, as I have titled the work, examines the ways in which America’s criminal justice system is ill-equipped in handling cases of sexual assault, how difficult it is for victims to pursue prosecution, and how easy it is for perpetrators to get away with such crimes due to precedents set in the legal system. Further examining these factors are a few of the most vital tools in educating the public on the inevitability that the law consistently fails and punishes victims while encouraging and freeing perpetrators of sexual violence. My decision to frame this work as one of realism geared towards young adults is intentional, as the situation my protagonist falls into happens every day all over the United States. While it is a piece of fiction, it is not unrealistic, for at its core it unveils the authentic day-to-day life of a high school survivor of a brutal sex crime. Given that the number of teens who have reported experiencing sexual violence has increased significantly over the past five years, this factor places the novel in a position to serve as a powerful educational tool for youth and educators alike. Eventually, I would like to adapt my novel into a play for Theatre for Young Audiences (T.Y.A), or a screenplay for a young adult drama series. The theatre has always been used to place a spotlight on social issues, and I believe it is the responsibility of the T.Y.A field to use its platform to educate both young actors and audiences on deeper subject matter. Bringing such topics to center stage will hopefully aid in the awareness and prevention of these heinous crimes.

Completion Date

2026

Semester

Spring

Committee Chair

Julia Listengarten

Degree

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

College

College of Arts and Humanities

Department

Theatre

Format

PDF

Document Type

Thesis

Identifier

DP0053207

Release Date

5-15-2032

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Available for download on Saturday, May 15, 2032

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