Department or Program

Theater and Dance

Abstract

This is a thesis project in acting. Nikolai Gogol, one of the first modern authors, belongs to the same vital theatrical tradition as Konstantin Stanislavski and Anton Chekhov, which traces its roots back to Russia. Gogol’s short stories and plays examine his contemporary Russian society through a satirical lens, and in reading them, many of his themes appear familiar to the modern reader. Questions of identity, purpose, power, and hierarchical systems of bureaucracy resonate throughout his work, allowing its application to today’s social milieu. During the course of this project, Gogol’s 1835 short story, "Diary of a Madman", was adapted and modernized into a one-man stage play set in the modern era. This thesis explores the evolving path of this venture, including research and training at the Moscow Art Theater School, comparative analyses of other adaptations of the story, the development of the central character, and reflections on the performances at both Bates College and the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival regional competition.

Level of Access

Open Access

First Advisor

Vecsey, Katalin

Date of Graduation

5-2018

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Number of Pages

88

Components of Thesis

1 pdf file

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