Directing The Glass Menagerie — Presentation Detail — Celebration of Scholars

Instructions

Student presentations must have a faculty sponsor.

Abstracts must include a title and a description of the research, scholarship, or creative work. The description should be 150-225 words in length and constructed in a format or style appropriate for the presenter’s discipline.

The following points should be addressed within the selected format or style for the abstract:

A clear statement of the problem or question you pursued, or the scholarly goal or creative theme achieved in your work.
A brief comment about the significance or uniqueness of the work.
A clear description of the methods used to achieve the purpose or goals for the work.
A statement of the conclusions, results, outcomes, or recommendations, or if the work is still in progress, the results you expect to report at the event.

Presenter photographs should be head and shoulder shots comparable to passport photos.

Additional Information

More information is available at carthage.edu/celebration-scholars/. The following are members of the Research, Scholarship, and Creativity Committee who are eager to listen to ideas and answer questions:

Jun Wang
Kim Instenes
John Kirk
Nora Nickels
Andrew Pustina
James Ripley

Directing The Glass Menagerie

Name: Mitch Weindorf
Major: Theatre Performance, Directing (SD)
Hometown: Campbellsport, WI
Faculty Sponsor:
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Senior thesis

Abstract

This project examines and details the process of researching and directing the Carthage College production of The Glass Menagerie, which ran March 7-9, 2013. The year-long preparation and scope of the project includes research, the rehearsal process, and the design/technical applications. The project utilized research from a variety of sources including but not limited to classes, productions attended, textual research, and personal experience. A culmination of skills and experiences in acting, technical theatre, and directing courses was the first step in determining the concept for the show. Upon determining my concept, I moved on to exploring specific areas of research such as the playwright, Tennessee Williams, life, Bertolt Brecht’s epic theatre, a unique style of theatre popular in the modern era, and other aspects pertinent to the show. Once research was compiled, I collaborated with designers to organize the spine of the technical elements and then cast the show. After casting, rehearsals began on a nightly basis in which I shaped the action of the play until the show’s opening, March 7, 2013. The show sold out each night, with production team and audience “talk-backs” each evening and one preshow discussion before the Friday evening performance, which cultivated response and enlightened the audience further on the production.

Poster file