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Rowan University

A study of George S. Kaufman's metatheatrics

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>Known for his comedic plays, George S. Kaufman became one of the most successful playwrights in American theatre history. Part of his success stems from his metatheatrical writing techniques, which he used by incorporating people from his life into his plays and by writing about the business he experienced first hand. To date, no sources link Kaufman and the metatheatrics of his work. Therefore, this thesis highlights these links and explores how far Kaufman took his metatheatrical viewpoints, why he chose to use this method, and what statements he made by using these techniques. In order to prove this thesis, three Kaufman plays are examined: The Man Who Came To Dinner (with Moss Hart), The Butter and Egg Man (solo), and The Royal Family (with Edna Ferber). Primary research includes analysis of theatrical reviews and extractions from biographies about Kaufman. The study provides an analysis of Kaufman's metatheatrical writing style based on the three plays listed above.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
M.A. in Theatre
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Theatre & Dance
Year dc:date.available
2004

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Jarrell, Nancy Alease
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Hostetter, Elisabeth

Subjects

dc:subject × 2

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/1168
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:rdw.rowan.edu:etd-2168

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Rowan University
Base URL
rdw.rowan.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Jarrell, Nancy Alease. A study of George S. Kaufman's metatheatrics. Thesis thesis, 2004. https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/1168