The Circus of Myself Público

Kaplan, Chelsea Louise (2012)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/k0698820z?locale=es
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Abstract

Abstract
The Circus of Myself
Chelsea L. Kaplan


We all tell ourselves stories. We use them to construct our identities and to answer questions about who we are and what we believe. Our self-narratives influence our actions and patterns of behavior. The Circus of Myself is a self-written, one-woman show, inspired by the concept that theater can be used as a method of healing both artist and audience. The show filters my own stories and patterns of behavior through archetypal circus characters, in order to create greater awareness of how these characters affect my daily life. My research on drama therapy, and particularly on the work of a theater company called the Mirrors, helped me to develop my piece. I wanted to discover how this type of theater gives performers the opportunity to heal and how it affects an audience. Through my process, I realized that the characters that I developed are part of me, but they are not fully who I am. Now I have a choice whether or not to play them - instead of allowing them constantly to play me. Feedback obtained by way of talkbacks, comment cards, and an email survey provided evidence that this work was meaningful for audiences, as it inspired them to reflect on their personal personas. By performing my cast of circus characters, I allowed people to see themselves more clearly in the mirror of myself.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 : Theater As Therapy...1
Chapter 2: The Mirrors...21
Chapter 3: Preface to the Script...32
Chapter 4: The Circus of Myself...36
Chapter 5: Rehearsing and Performing My Piece...58
Chapter 6: Feedback...62
Works Cited...74

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