Staging The Merchant of Venice in the 21ˢᵗ Century: A Dramaturgical Case Study
Abstract
“Staging The Merchant of Venice in the 21ˢᵗ Century: A Dramaturgical Case Study”
aims to document the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival’s 2015 production of The
Merchant of Venice by framing it within the historical narrative of the play’s place in Kansas
City theatrical history. This thesis also seeks to further define the relationship between the
production process and dramaturgy by examining the development and implementation of
dramaturgical responsibilities as they related to audience engagement with The Merchant of
Venice.
Chapter 1 provides a brief overview of The Merchant of Venice and examines the
progression of the play from comedy to anti-Semitic tragedy beginning in the late nineteenth
century. This chapter also identifies the decades-long hiatus of The Merchant of Venice from
Kansas City. Chapter 2 will explore this gap in Kansas City’s production history of The
Merchant of Venice by looking at the two most recent productions of the play in 1950 and
1986 and introducing the initial conversation about bringing the play to Kansas City
audiences in 2015. Chapter 3 then explains the nature of the production’s rehearsal process
by exploring the role of dramaturgy in the rehearsal hall. Chapter 4 continues the discussion
of dramaturgy’s involvement by looking at the role the dramaturg played in preparing
audiences for the upcoming production. Chapter 5 analyzes the play’s success with engaging
an audience in a dialogue about The Merchant of Venice, and points to the play’s importance
in discussing the larger social issues of the Kansas City community.
Table of Contents
Introduction -- Historical overview -- Kansas City production history -- Production process -- Audience engagement -- Post-production analysis -- Conclusion -- Appendix A. 1950 program -- Appendix B. 1986 program -- Appendix C. Promotional materials -- Appendix D. Teaching guide -- Appendix E. Audience guide -- Appendix F. 2015 program essay -- Appendix G. HASF company bios -- Appendix H Company questionnaire
Degree
M.A.