Essays and Research Papers on Theater

A 3 page research paper/essay that examines Margaret Edson's Wit and Thom Jones' short story "I want to live," which are two narratives that address how death from disease is handled in modern Western society. The writer shows how the experience of dying from cancer affects the women in both stories, encompassing their concerns ...

A 6 page paper which discusses the similarities found in “The Crucible” and the McCarthy Trials. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 4 page essay that examines the character of William Marshall, whom the writer argues plays a pivotal role in Lillian Hellman's play The Little Foxes. Examination of the play demonstrates that Marshall provides the impetus from which all subsequent action results. As well as providing an easy means for relating exposition, Marshall also serves ...

This 8 page paper argues that David Ives' one act play, Sure Thing, is a comedy as opposed to a farce. Examples, quotes cited from text. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines Mozart’s view of women as seen in his opera “The Magic Flute.” The paper also examines whether Mozart’s views of women are similar to those we have today. Bibliography lists 1 source.

An 8 page research paper/essay that analyzes Susan Glasgpell's major thesis in her 1916 play "Trifles," which tells how two women discern the motive and circumstances between a murder and hide evidence that would have implicated the man's wife because they can see that the woman was abused. The writer argues that Glaspell's ...

A 3 page paper which compares and contrasts the characters of Biff and Bernard from Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman.” No additional sources cited.

A 20 page essay that analyzes this play by early eighteenth century French playwright Marivaux. This examination of this 1722 play explores human relationships on various levels. While offering a funny and intriguing play, Marivaux also presents situations that force the audience to ponder what characteristics lie at the heart of a true love relationship. ...

This 28 page paper looks at the information needed to stage a production of Tennessee Williams autobiographical play the Glass Menagerie. The paper begins by examining the context of the play, including at the authors' life and the social context of the play. The play itself is considered and then aspects such as staging, ...

A 20 page paper which provides a global view of West Side Story from historical, social, cultural, political and religious perspectives. In addition, it examines the work’s effect on American society; its current social significance; the social change that has been brought through this creative effort by the playwright, composers, director, actors, choreographer, singers, ...

This 7 page paper examines the following plays, "Zoo Story", "The Sandbox", and "Oleanna" in regards to the determinism of the main characters. This paper highlights the many forces that shape these characters and the decisions they make in spite of these seemingly oppressive forces. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 3 page paper explores the amazing contributions of Chita Rivera on musical theater. Rivera was a huge influence in the 1960's, and this paper delves into her many accomplishments. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 3 page paper which examines the powerful presentation in the first page of Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman.” Bibliography lists 2 additional sources.

A 3 page paper which compares and contrasts Nora from Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” and Marion from Harvey Fierstein‘s “On Tidy Endings.” Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 3 page essay that, first of all, defines the term "play" and then discusses it in terms of Neil Simon's The Sunshine Boys. The writer argues that comedies also address elements of human pathos. In this instance, the play deals with the problems of aging. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 3 page essay that discusses theater during the Depression. The writer argues that it was through the warmth and pathos of comedy that people could forget --if just for a little while--the trauma that was going on around them and that this was a psychologically God-send to the country as a whole. Although George ...

A 3 page essay that discusses the classic play by George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber. The writer argues that during the Great Depression, comedy provided a surcease from the rigors of daily life (Widner, 1998). However, it was only possible to forget the trouble imposed by the Depression to a certain ...

A 5 page research paper that contrasts and compares Fiddler on the Roof and Les Miserables, respectively, as two examples of the best that American and European musical theatre have to offer. Each of these productions offers drama, pathos, and insight into the human condition simultaneously with stirring song and music that lifts the soul ...

This 10 page paper examines the historical approach to performance studies and illustrates how the emergence of a multi-disciplinary approach has benefitted this research. Furthermore, the benefits of such an approach are discussed and outlined, as major contributors to this philosophy are outlined throughout the research. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

A 3 page comparative analysis of these examples of naturalistic plays. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

:A 3 page essay that discusses how to stage Euripides' Iphigenia at Aulis with just three actors. The writer addresses the problems inherent in this staging problem, which are numerous, because while there are only eight speaking parts, there are four characters on stage in some scenes. Suggestions are made for approaching this problem, as ...

This 3 page paper analyzes the play by Tom Stoppard, The Real Inspector Hound, based on the claim that the play is about nothing. Argumentitive paper offers that the play is a tremendous creative endeavor. Examples, quotes given. Bibliography lists sources.

An 8 page paper which examines motives, solutions, means, and mystery in Lorraine Hansberry’s play “A Raisin in the Sun.” No additional sources cited.

A 4 page paper which examines how Loman basically had good intentions, ambition and a strong resolve but was a tragic hero because when pushing his desire for greatness through not compromising with the limits imposed by his own humanity, he is doomed to fail. Specifically considered are Willy’s limits and how he unwisely ...

A 4 page paper which examines some points in different dramatic stories. The stories discussed are “Hamlet,” “The Oedipus Trilogy,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” and “The Cherry Orchard.” No additional sources cited.