17th Annual Student Research Conference
Fine Arts
Lyric Improvisation: Intrigue at Court
Kyle Schellinger*, Aaron O. Baker, Nate Dendy, Christianne Greiert, Kari Lorenz, Theresa M. Mayo, Kim McCracken, Leslie Sikes, Emily Maulin, Anne Zager, and Jenny Schackmann
Dr. Dana Smith, Faculty Mentor
The proposed presentation is a performance by students in THEA 359, Lyric Performance (Acting Shakespeare). The class will stage a brief improvisation that is part of the regular class schedule; we call it “Court.” Students will play courtiers at the Court of Queen Elizabeth I, circa 1592, and have prepared special identities (“Shakespearean Selves”) for these weekly improvisations during class. Each student has prepared a period costume for the improvisations, as well as periodic gifts for the queen (played by a veteran of the class). Storylines, however, are not planned ahead of time, except for possible thematic elements. On Valentine’s Day, for instance, courtiers debated whether “when a man doth love a woman,” does he truly love or doth the woman? For the Research Conference, students will create a “Court Intrigue” of some nature, and these usually involve either an attempt to seize power or a love affair gone bad. Following the improvised performance, students will answer questions from the audience regarding this educational tool for the actor.
Keywords: Improvisation, Queen Elizabeth I, Acting, Performance
Topic(s):Theatre
Presentation Type: Performance Art
Session: 2-2
Location: OP 2302, Black Box Theater
Time: 8:45