Performing and Understanding Historic Drama: A Journey into the World of August Strindberg
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Authors
Cameron, Matthew R.
Issue Date
2005
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Theater -- Performance
Alternative Title
Abstract
Upon returning home from my junior year abroad, I was abruptly confronted with
the fact that I hadn't the faintest idea what I wanted to do for my Senior Individualized
Project. With this in mind I began frantically filing through any and all potential topics
to pursue. Originally, I settled on the idea of directing and acting in a number of selected
Shakespearean scenes. This idea fit me well because of my interest in theatre and
history. By working on multiple facets on the theatrical side, I would be able to
determine what aspect(s) of the theatre that I wanted to pursue following my graduation.
However, before I finalized this topic, a friend of mine asked me to read Strindberg' s
Miss Julie. He wanted my opinion on the piece because he wanted to direct the show the
following winter.
I complied with his request and found Miss Julie to be the answer to my SIP
problem. I then asked him if he would be willing to pre-cast me in the role of Jean, the
sole male character in the show, so that I could use that process as my SIP experience.
After some deliberation he agreed and we were underway. I wanted to perform Miss
Julie as my SIP for a number of reasons. First and foremost, Miss Julie would allow me
to fully incorporate both facets of my Kalamazoo College education into one cumulative
performance. Being a history major, I would be able to research and incorporate the
historical aspects of 19th century Sweden into my SIP performance. As a theatre minor, I
would be able to perform a complex and interesting role that was an extremely
challenging to portray honestly given the multifaceted nature of Jean's character.
This fascinating role would allow me to fully immerse and challenge myself in
ways that I had yet to experience in the college setting. Jean, Strindberg's leading man in
Miss Julie, is a character who has a very dualistic personality that makes him incredibly
2
difficult to understand and even more difficult to perform truthfully within the historical
perspective. This role would allow me to challenge myself as a student of theatre as well.
To fully understand Jean, I had to research and contemplate the implications that his
society had upon him. This undertaking would eventually serve to tax me theatrically,
intellectually and physically.
The play, Miss Julie, to me, is an outstanding piece of dramatic literature that
would serve to push me to my limits as a student of history and acting. It would not only
culminate my academic experience at Kalamazoo College, but it would also force me to
determine whether or not acting was an avenue that I wished to pursue professionally.
Having gone through this exploration of myself and my passions, I have discovered a
great deal about the way in which I operate within the stressful environment of the
theatre.
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48 p.
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