"I Can't Stop Thinking": The Process of Creating the Role of Mr. Zero

66 Pages·2016·1.06 MB·English

by  Maurice Reed

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Graduate Theses and Dissertations
5-2012
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Maurice Reed
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
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Reed, M. (2012). "I Can't Stop Thinking": The Process of Creating the Role of Mr. Zero. Graduate Theses
and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/402
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“I CAN'T STOP THINKING”: THE PROCESS OF CREATING
THE ROLE OF MR. ZERO

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“I CAN'T STOP THINKING”: THE PROCESS OF CREATING
THE ROLE OF MR. ZERO

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Fine Arts in Drama

By

Maurice Reed
East Tennessee State University
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, 2009

May 2012
University of Arkansas
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ABSTRACT
This thesis contains an account of the characterization process of Mr. Zero from The
Adding Machine, by Elmer Rice. The character and script analysis is revealed through journal
entries and will be discussed as the analysis was put into use in the rehearsal process. The
production of The Adding Machine opened Nov 11, 2011 and ran until Nov 20, 2011. The
rehearsal process began on Sep 21, 2011. This thesis will document the struggles and success of
creating the role of Mr. Zero.

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This thesis is approved
for recommendation
to the Graduate Council.

Thesis Director:

_______________________________________
Clinnesha D Sibley, MFA

Thesis Committee:

_______________________________________
Gail Leftwich, BSE

_______________________________________
Patrick Stone, MFA

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THESIS DUPLICATION RELEASE
I hereby authorize the University of Arkansas Libraries to duplicate this thesis when
needed for research and/or scholarship.

Agreed __________________________________________
Maury Reed

Refused __________________________________________
Maury Reed

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank the faculty and staff of the University of Arkansas Drama
Department. I would not have been able to make it through this graduate program without their
patience, guidance, and never ending support.
Also, special thanks to Pat Cronin, Anita Sleeman, Bobby Funk, Cara Harker, Herb
Parker, John Devanny, Katie Brown, John Hardy, John Fagan, Karen Sabo, and Derek Davidson.
Finally, a tremendous thanks to my parents, who instilled a love of theatre at a very early
age and never stopped encouraging me to follow my dreams.

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DEDICATION
This master's thesis is dedicated to my wife, Bethany, and my daughter, Felicity. Without
their never ending patience and love I would not have survived this semester.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 Journal Entries 1
 Bibliography 56

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