Alt Title

The use of creative drama techniques in participation drama by Chicago professional children's theater companies

Publication Date

1981

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Potts, Norman B.

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Theatre Arts

LCSH

Children's plays--Presentation; etc

Abstract

This study focuses on professional children's theatre companies in Chicago, Illinois. From a list of "Special Children's Theatre Programs in Illinois," as compiled by the Illinois Theatre Association and the Illinois Office of Education (June 1977), it was determined that Chicago has fourteen professional children's theatre companies. This study examines the use of creative drama techniques in participation drama by these professional children's theatre companies. This subject was chosen for study, because creative drama techniques are an inherent part of participation drama, which is the most recent trend in children's drama. Fourteen Chicago-based children's theatre companies were sampled through written questionnaires and follow-up interviews to determine their inclusion in the study. In order to qualify, a company had to incorporate audience participation as part of their performance. Three companies qualified for inclusion in the study: Alice Liddell Theatre, Earth Theatre, and Imagination Theater, Inc. Observations of the company's productions and personal interviews were then conducted in order to document the company's use of creative drama techniques in participation drama. For each of the three companies, Alice Liddell Theatre, Earth Theatre, and Imagination Theater, Inc., an analysis was made as to the type of audience participation used as part of participation drama. Each company incorporates one or more types of audience participation (directed/ stimulated, spontaneous) into their show. Specific examples were cited to document the type of audience participation used by the company. In addition, each company uses one or more creative drama techniques as part of this audience participation. Again, specific examples of creative drama techniques (dramatic play, story dramatization, pantomime, extemporaneous drama) were cited to document the use of creative drama techniques by all three companies. The goal of this study was to analyze the use of creative drama techniques in participation drama by Chicago professional children's theatre companies. A comparison- contrast format was used to summarize the analysis. As specific conclusions would imply the assignment of certain value judgments, which are irrelevant to the goal of the study, none were drawn.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references.||Includes illustrations.

Extent

124 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

Download

Share

COinS