Semester
Summer
Date of Graduation
2021
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MFA
College
College of Creative Arts
Department
Acting and Directing
Committee Chair
Jay Malarcher
Committee Co-Chair
Jessica Morgan
Committee Member
General McArthur Hambrick
Abstract
To explore an actor’s process is to explore the foundation of all acting methods. The purpose of this document is to do just that. From character creation to final performance of the role of Tom Collins in West Virginia University’s spring 2021 production of Jonathan Larson’s Rent, this document will share a detailed look at research into the historical framework of the musical, the playwright, and character inspiration in the pursuit of crafting a well-rounded understanding of the show. Additionally, it will provide an account of textual analysis, an in-depth look at the rehearsal process, and various acting techniques used to build the inner life of the character, specifically focusing on Michael Chekhov’s technique of the Imaginary Body and Kristin Linklater’s Dropping In exercise. It will also recount the pitfalls that impeded these steps in my acting process as well as reflect on the outcome of the production as a whole.
Recommended Citation
Khoshgam, Cameron Amir, "But They Purloined My Coat: Walking Through the Actor’s Process of Entering into the Role of Tom Collins in Jonathan Larson’s Rent" (2021). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 8237.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/8237