Keywords

Wilson, Lanford -- 1937- -- 5th of July, Wilson, Lanford -- 1937- -- Characters -- John Landis, Wilson, Lanford -- 1937- -- Criticism and interpretation

Abstract

I would like to examine the character of John Landis from Lanford Wilson's Fifth of July for my thesis. As an acting role project, I will explore my process in building a role, from journals documenting the experience, to analyses of the character, the script, and the playwright. My goal is to have a thoroughly documented experience for the purposes of increased specificity in my present work and reflection for the future. In any given theatrical production, an actor will look at several aspects of the script in an attempt to prepare for his or her role. Among these are the given circumstances of the play the theme that the director wishes to encompass, where and when does the conflict arise, etc. Another valid endeavor is to search for the play's protagonist and antagonist. The UCF Conservatory Theatre's production of Lanford Wilson's Fifth of July will approach the play with the idea that the character of John Landis is the antagonist. Although the character of John creates a significant amount of the play's conflict, to approach the role by simply dismissing his words and actions as pure antagonism is

not justifiable. I would like to unlock the humanity in John Landis, and to def end if • indeed he is an antagonist. If he is, I want to give him justifiable reasons why. The purpose of this thesis is to document that process. It will be my decision early in the rehearsal process to play John as a man filled with regret, pain denial and guilt and that these feelings were not only a result of his previous actions but a product of his current actions. In life, people tend to express their

darkest emotions to those closest to them, and John is no exception. Therefore, my methodology will be to root actions from these specific feelings, rather than playing anything general. I will create as much history for John as possible. I also want him to have a life prior to the first page of the script. Finally, I want his being at the Talley residence on these two days to be an opportunity, rather than a given circumstance. My hope is that the results of this process will culminate in a fully developed character, with justifiable emotions and strongly driven actions. The performance will leave me with a blueprint for crafting future performances. I believe the rehearsal and performance process will produce a wide range of emotions in me, and take me on a journey of discovering a blueprint for creating strong characters.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2004

Advisor

Harris, Lani

Degree

Master of Arts (M.A.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Theatre

Format

PDF

Pages

121 p.

Language

English

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Identifier

DP0029491

Subjects

Arts and Sciences -- Dissertations, Academic; Dissertations, Academic -- Arts and Sciences

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