The problems of drama and their relationship to the building of a theater for Abilene Christian College

169 Pages·06.527 MB·English

by  Fulks, Lewis L

THE PROBLEMS OF DRAMA AND THEIR
RELATIONSHIP TO THE BUILDING OF A THEATRE FOR
ABILENE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
A Thesis
Presented to
the Faculty of the Department of Drama
The University of Southern California
In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Master of Arts
by
Lewis L. Fulks
June 1950
UMI Number: EP44376
All rights reserved
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This thesis, written by
Le3sr.is..X.....EuLlk£L
under the guidance of h.^-3.. Faculty Committee,
and approved by all its members, has been
presented to and accepted by the Council on
Graduate Study and Research in partial fulfill­
ment of the requirements for the degree of
MASTER OP ARTS
June 1950
Date.
Faculty Committee
TABLE OP CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
I. THE PROBLEM, DEFINITION OF TERMS AND
ORGANIZATION OF CHAPTERS .
The problem
Statement of the problem . _l
Importance of the study 2
Definition of terms 5
Representational . 5
Presentational 6
Realism . . . 6
The use of quotations and
substantiations
Organization of chapters . 7
II. INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY:
THE CULTURAL NEED FOR GOOD DRAMA
AND PRESENTATION OF THE PROBLEM 10
The cultural need for good drama , 10
The problem of leisure . . 10
Public opinion of the theatre and
the citizen's responsibility , 15
The theatre an art, not a business . 20
Education in theatrical art 22
CHAPTER PAGE
The civic theatre-helping to solve
the problem of leisure . 26
The college or university theatre 30
Presentation of the problem 39
The lack of an adequate theatrep lant. 39
The need of planning . 42
The college theatre 'in a smallc ity 44
Summary 45
III. -VALIDATION OP PROCEDURE . . . 47
The basis of this procedure 49
Taking stock . . . . 50
Knowledge of requirements 54
The program at Abilene Christian
College . . 55
Importance of functional planning 57
Relation of theatre plant to set design
and lighting . - - .61
Summary 67
IV. MODERN METHODS OP STAGING 69
The revolving stage 76
The elevator stage , 8l
The gridiron , 82
CHAPTER PAGE
The wagon stage . 87
Other methods 90
Summary 90
. THE PLAN FOR ABILENE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE 93
The requirements 93
The method of addition 9^
Planned for varie'd uses . 97
Wagon stages . . . 102
The problem of doors 107
The conflicting traffic . Ill
The workshop and paints hop . 113
The gridiron and fly loft , 120
The costume shop 126
The make-up rooms . 127
Storage , 128
The problem of rehearsals . 129
Offices . . 130
The little theatre 130
The piano storage problem . 131
Lighting and sound control 132
Orchestra pit , 136
Radio control , 138
CHAPTER PAGE
In t e pc ommu ni c a t i on 1 4 1
Box office 142
Piano practice rooms 142
Rest rooms, lounge and nursery 142
Optional equipment 143
Points to remember . 145
Summary It 5
. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS IpO
Summary IgO
Cultural influence in Abilene 150
Hew Theatre must be built correctly 151
Conclusions 153
Three requisites 153
Most important requisite 153
BIBLIOGRAPHY 155
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURES PAGE
1. Letter of confirmation . 51
2. ACC Sewell Auditorium 53
3- Act I setting for Beyond The Horizon .
-4. Act III setting for Harriet 73
5. Setting for Mr. And Mrs. North . 74
6. Revolving stage 77
7. Revolving stage scenery extensions 79
8. Large revolving stage requiring apron
extension . . . . 80
9. Section of fly loft 83
10. Upright type gridiron 84
11. Underhung type gridiron 86
12. Curved path traverse wagon . 88
13. Methods of shifting 91
14. Method of addition . 98
15. Reducing seating capacity 99
16. Reducing further . 100
17. Basements 101
18. Position of tracks . 104
19. Comparison of wagon tracks , 106
20. Position of doors 108
FIGURE PAGE
CVJ—ii Rear projection 110
22. Shop arrangement 115
23- Paint shop 117
24. A boomerang 119
25. Position, of overhead traveler tracks 121
26. Cyclorama sight lines 124
r^i r*{7 * Position of pulpit riser storage 139
28. Pulpit riser storage I k 0
OQ First floor plan 11)7
30. Stage basement floor plan . li)8
31. Front basement floor plan Ik 9
CHAPTER I
THE PROBLEM, DEFINITION OF TERMS
M P ORGANIZATION OF CHAPTERS
For many years a difference of opinion has existed
in the theatre between two schools of thought regarding the
most effective form of drama. The presentational school is
non-realistic and advocates very little physical aid in the
form of a theatre plant; while the representational school
is strongly realistic and requires a more elaborate use of
a theatre plant. There are many well-known people aligned
on both sides, and in no instance In this investigation has
an effort been made to justify either side. Rather, the
basis of this study has considered the problems of both
schools of thought; and all the evidence gathered was to
show the need for properly designed theatre plants in which
both forms of drama may be presented.
I. THE PROBLEM
Statement of the problem. It was the purpose of this
study; (1) to show the cultural influence of the educational
theatre in relation to leisure; (2) to show that poorly
planned stages or theatre plants hinder the production of
college drama; (3) to show the importance of understanding