ENSEMBLE WORK IN THEATRE REHEARSALS:

DYNAMICS THAT SHAPE GROUP COHESION

 

 

 

 

 

A Thesis

Presented to

The Faculty of the Department of Television, Radio, Film and Theatre

San José State University

 

 

 

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree

Master of Arts

 

 

 

 

 

 

by

 

Erin Shaughnessy Kelly

May 2005

 

 

ABSTRACT

 

ENSEMBLE WORK IN THEATRE REHEARSALS:

DYNAMICS THAT SHAPE GROUP COHESION

 

By Erin Shaughnessy Kelly

 

 

            This thesis examines group dynamics within theatre rehearsals.  First, it defines rehearsals, and then examines their significance regarding ensemble work and performance preparation.  Subsequently, it examines conceptual definitions of group cohesion, and draws from research in artistic settings to create a definition and indicators of group cohesion in a theatre rehearsal setting specifically.  The definition and indicators are then applied to the cast of The Laramie Project at San José State University.  Cast members' journals, post-production survey responses, and the researcher's participant observations supplied data for examination of group cohesion.

            Participants' journals revealed nine themes, seven of which were duplicated in their survey responses.  Five of these themes aligned explicitly and three correlated partially with cohesion indicators.  The parallelism between the themes and the cohesion indicators demonstrates the positive correlation between the rehearsals and cohesion among cast members.

 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

Chapter One                                                                                      1

Introduction

 

Chapter Two                                                                                     6

            Literature Review                                                                                

           

Chapter Three                                                                                   29

            Methodology              

 

Chapter Four                                                                                    36

            Exercises and Results

 

Chapter Five                                                                                     64

            Conclusion

 

Bibliography                                                                                     81

 

Appendix A                                                                                       90

            Journal Assignment

 

Appendix B                                                                                       91

            Laramie Post Production Survey

 

                                   

 

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