Date of Award

5-2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.F.A.

Degree Program

Film and Theatre

Department

Film and Theatre

Major Professor

David Hoover

Second Advisor

Laszlo Zsolt Fulop

Third Advisor

John Neisler

Abstract

Abstract

This thesis examines the experience of portraying Agatha in Jen Silverman’s The Moors, a dark comedy set in the 19th century that combines gothic elements with modern themes like love, power, isolation, and identity. It explores the connection between Agatha’s character and the play itself, both of which are dark and complex. By drawing on Beyond Stanislavski’s “transient now” method and the Practical Aesthetic acting technique, I reflect on how these approaches shape my portrayal of Agatha, a character who embodies strength, confidence, and manipulation, yet also reveals vulnerability.

The thesis follows the journey from the play’s selection and casting to rehearsal and performance. As an international student and person of color, I also address the challenges and opportunities that were presented by the color-blind casting of the show. In addition, this thesis traces my personal growth as an actor, discussing my experiences with dialect, accent, ethnicity, and adaptation. Through detailed character analysis, research into Silverman’s work, and a journal documenting my rehearsal process, I aim to present my interpretation of Agatha and reflect on how this role shaped both my artistic development and my understanding of the performance process.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

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