Essays and Research Papers on Theater

A 3 page review of story, acting, scenery, etc; in a college production of The Miracle Worker" -- a play based on the life & struggles of Helen Keller and her teacher Ann Sullivan. No Bibliography.

A 2 page review of the Broadway play that originated in London. Directed by Sam Mendes of 'Cabaret' revival fame, 'The Blue Room' portrays the darker side of sex as mechanical activity in an existential view of futility of human interaction. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 2 page evaluative essay that discusses acting ability (i.e., voice, eye control etc.;) in the off-Broadway play "Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." No Bib.

A 5 page paper discussing what the future holds for theater in America. The paper also looks at what the center, geographically, will be for American theater. Bibliography lists eight sources.

2 page recounting of a college theatrical performance of Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." Discussed are the actors' abitlies, stage direction, and of course,-- how this particular production may have differed from the original. No Bibliography.

A 5 page look at this 1985 play by Herb Gardner. The paper discusses Gardner's theme and characterization, stage and setting directions, and critical response to the play. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

A 6 page overview of the work of Caryl Churchill, a woman who began play production in the 1960s for BBC radio. Discusses the gender issues inherent in these plays. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 4 page paper which examines the basic elements of theatre: type, characterizations, dialogue and plot through Mary Chase's 1950 play 'Harvey.' No resources listed.

A 5 page paper that provides an accurate account of the impacts of water depth on color, images, and light waver consumption/scattering in underwater video processes. This also outlines some of the current technologies being used for underwater video recording. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 6 page examination of this play by David Mamet, looking specifically at the motivation and characterization of Carol and John. The paper shows how Carol’s character can most productively be read by seeing her as a victim of childhood abuse, and without this information, the audience is as clueless about her behavior as John ...

5 pages in length. There was once a time when going to the movie house was a pleasant and non-threatening experience. The family outing often included a couple of hours at the local theatre where audiences were entertained with a variety of films that gave people a sense of whimsy, drama, suspense or ...

This 5 page paper considers the role of Tom in Tennessee Williams' play The Glass Menagerie. This paper outlines the basic components of Tom's role and the importance for the play as a whole. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

The major theme of Edward Albee's most prominent play, Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf, seems to be that cruelty and violence are not only inherent in the nature of Man but that they also play a significant role in some relationships. This 5 page paper explores the characters of George and Martha as well as their relationship as portrayed ...

This 5 page paper provides an overview of the perspectives on the theater of the absurd, with a focus on Beckett and Pinter. This paper defines the concept of the theater of the absurd and demonstrates how both authors utilized this in their plays. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 5 page paper provides an overview of the basic elements of Shaw's Arms and The Man and Sherriff's Journey's End. This paper considers the impacts of war symbolism and the irony of war, including issues like heroism and the search for peace. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

The Broadway production, West Side Story, by composer Leonard Bernstein, lyricist Stephen Sondheim and choreographer Jerome Robbins premiered in 1957. This 12 page narrative paper examines the musical with an emphasis on the choreography. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

An 8 page paper which discusses the movie "Splendor in the Grass" and further illustrates the works of Elia Kazan, who directed the movie, and William Inge, who wrote the screenplay. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

5 pages in length. This focuses on the play by Guillermo Verdecchia. Fronteras Americanas is an entertaining but darkly humorous look at the borders of Latin-America. Borders both without and within, and the stereotypes we deal with in the immigrant experience. It is at once poignant and funny, and makes us ...

A 7 page paper which discusses the play "Death of a Salesman" and the recent film "American Beauty" and illustrates how they help to demonstrate that the perfect American family is only a myth, never achieved. Bibliography lists 16 sources.

This 5 page report discusses who is the stronger character in Strindberg’s play “The Stronger.” “The Stronger” is a three-character one-act in which the central character never appears, and one of the two female rivals for his love says nothing. The entire action of the play takes place over only a 15-minute period. Bibliography lists 5 sources. ...

This 5 page paper explores this landmark Ibsen play, where deceit and scandal bubble beneath the surface of the classically repressive domestic situation of Torvald and Nora, who, in order to save her husband's life commits forgery. The basic difficulties of relationship between a man and a woman are as relevant now as ...

An 8 page paper (7 pages + 1 page outline) which analyzes the dual conflicts between civilization and savagery, old and new, appearance and reality war in Tennessee Williams 1947 play, "A Streetcar Named Desire."

A 5 page paper which examines the popular status of Italian Renaissance actors. Commedia dell'arte was separate from amateur drama because of the high level of performances. Every aspect of the drama was top of the line from the scripts to the costumes to performers, who might play the same role throughout their ...

This 15 page paper of post-modern playwright Marina Carr examines her recent successes, as well as the real and perceived background of being Irish. While the historical bridge with the mythic has protected the imaginative Irish, it has now also provided a unique bridge to their participation in the creative global world. Carr ...

10 pages in length. The seventeenth century experienced a number of significant changes in the arts. Moliere was responsible for revolutionizing the theater and making the King (Louis XIV) and his family appreciate comedy. Up until that time the tragedy had been the only form of theater, however, with Moliere came a ...