The Serpent: Examination, Exploration, Evaluation, 1976

The Serpent is a unique production as it is predominately an ensemble endeavor. The original creation of the play evolved through a company of actors called the Open Theatre under the direction of Joseph Chaikin. Jean-Claude van Itallie is responsible for the final verbal framework. This text was written after lengthy involvement with van Itallie's Open Theatre and the improvisations and exercises they geared to Genesis from the Bible. Together, playwright, director and company explored images, motifs and themes to be expressed in this living theatre experience. The Serpent is called a ceremony primarily because of its strong bond with the audience. In a ceremony, the audience and actor combine in a collaborative effort toward communication. This production, therefore, became not only an experimental enterprise for the thesis director, but also for the community of actors and audience.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Theatre and Dance

Year

1976

Author dc:creator

• Stoyke, Christine E.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Robert Bradley

• Theatre and Performance Studies

Statement dc:rights

• © Christine E. Stoyke

Repository record dc:identifier

https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/980

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-1981