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Oral Session 1- 11:30-12:30PM
Abstract Volume and Quick Reference Guide
__________________________________________________________________________
ROOM A
Moderator: Dr. John Thrasher
Art
11:30-11:45 am
The Lifecycle of Art
Presenter(s): Berkana McDowell
Advisor(s): Micol Hebron
With anthropogenic climate change and pollution wreaking havoc on the environment, there is a necessity to reevaluate a multitude of activities and procedures that seem unchangeable in human society. Throughout history, natural environments have played an integral role in the development of art including its subject matter, connotative meaning, and materials used in its creation. In a modern exhibition of art, like Desert X, the health of the desert environment is a prime motive in the establishment of the exhibition, along with providing social commentaries on 21st-century issues. This has prompted the organization to put the protection of the natural environment at the forefront of its missions and legacy. However, there are many environmental risks involved in allowing international artists to have free reign in creating art for the biennial art show, namely in the materials the artists choose to use, and what happens to the materials post-exhibition. Some artists have received praise while others have received criticism for their commitment to the environmentally-oriented mission of the organization, displaying the necessity to explore the impacts of waste, protocols in place, and lifecycles of projects all within the Desert X exhibition. Moreover, the controversy highlights the dichotomy of creating art for social awareness, while simultaneously contributing to the most significant worldwide social issue, climate change. This controversy can be analyzed to identify how the environmental concerns of art materials can be addressed and eradicated in the Desert X art show.
11:45-12:00 pm
Investigating the Decolonization of Fine Arts Museums in Southern California
Presenter(s): Aliza Shiah
Advisor(s): Micol Hebron
My oral presentation will cover the key topics I have explored through my research funded by this grant. With this grant, I have conducted research into the current state of museum efforts to decolonize the ‘Fine Arts Museum’ as an institution. More specifically, I have done scholarly research on the colonial history of museums from their early beginnings to present day while also visiting well-known fine arts museums within Southern California, documenting my experience. As I compile all of this information together, I will be looking at the collection as a whole and current exhibitions in order to assess whether each museum is actively challenging the favoritism of white, Western, male, and heteronormative artists in order to facilitate productive conversation in our changing world. The museums have visited with the money received for this grant are:
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The Getty Center
The Museum of Contemporary Art (Los Angeles)
Orange County Museum of Art
San Diego Museum of Art
For this oral presentation, I will first summarize the library-based, theoretical research I have done to lay the groundwork that will help people understand the history museums are coming from. Then, I will detail my experiences inside the walls of each museum, viewing the art and exhibitions through a critical lens. The final part of my presentation will be combining the initial research on the museums and their past and present diversity and inclusion initiatives with my first-hand experience in each institution. I will examine whether the experiences each museum offers lives up to their current practices in decolonizing the fine arts institution. I hope to provide critical information while also remaining optimistic about how far the Art World has come and where it needs to go next.
12:00-12:15pm
Desert X:
How a Small Idea Became as Vast as a Desert
Presenter(s): Olivia Brewin
Advisor(s): Lia Halloran
For this paper, I want to do research on Desert X as a business and nonprofit organization. Nonprofits are defined as a charitable organization with purposes to fund and support individuals and other organizations. Desert X is a biennial show that happens every other year in the Coachella Valley and rotates the next year in Saudi Arabia. International business is not always simple as domestic, especially with business that involves making land art as modes of expression. Much of art is censored in Saudi Arabia, so this area of business intrigues me to do further research on how the transactional relationship came to be. Within the goals of this paper, I want to interview founder Susan Davis and possibly the leading directors on the Desert X team. Questions to be asked while researching this paper are: what makes Desert X different from an established organization? What were the strategic business choices being made? What kind of donors contribute to Desert X? How are the showing artists supported in their exhibition? How were connections made with international business relations in Saudi Arabia? Were there any obstacles in achieving this?
Art
11:30-11:45 am
The Lifecycle of Art
Presenter(s): Berkana McDowell
Advisor(s): Micol Hebron
With anthropogenic climate change and pollution wreaking havoc on the environment, there is a necessity to reevaluate a multitude of activities and procedures that seem unchangeable in human society. Throughout history, natural environments have played an integral role in the development of art including its subject matter, connotative meaning, and materials used in its creation. In a modern exhibition of art, like Desert X, the health of the desert environment is a prime motive in the establishment of the exhibition, along with providing social commentaries on 21st-century issues. This has prompted the organization to put the protection of the natural environment at the forefront of its missions and legacy. However, there are many environmental risks involved in allowing international artists to have free reign in creating art for the biennial art show, namely in the materials the artists choose to use, and what happens to the materials post-exhibition. Some artists have received praise while others have received criticism for their commitment to the environmentally-oriented mission of the organization, displaying the necessity to explore the impacts of waste, protocols in place, and lifecycles of projects all within the Desert X exhibition. Moreover, the controversy highlights the dichotomy of creating art for social awareness, while simultaneously contributing to the most significant worldwide social issue, climate change. This controversy can be analyzed to identify how the environmental concerns of art materials can be addressed and eradicated in the Desert X art show.
11:45-12:00 pm
Investigating the Decolonization of Fine Arts Museums in Southern California
Presenter(s): Aliza Shiah
Advisor(s): Micol Hebron
My oral presentation will cover the key topics I have explored through my research funded by this grant. With this grant, I have conducted research into the current state of museum efforts to decolonize the ‘Fine Arts Museum’ as an institution. More specifically, I have done scholarly research on the colonial history of museums from their early beginnings to present day while also visiting well-known fine arts museums within Southern California, documenting my experience. As I compile all of this information together, I will be looking at the collection as a whole and current exhibitions in order to assess whether each museum is actively challenging the favoritism of white, Western, male, and heteronormative artists in order to facilitate productive conversation in our changing world. The museums have visited with the money received for this grant are:
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The Getty Center
The Museum of Contemporary Art (Los Angeles)
Orange County Museum of Art
San Diego Museum of Art
For this oral presentation, I will first summarize the library-based, theoretical research I have done to lay the groundwork that will help people understand the history museums are coming from. Then, I will detail my experiences inside the walls of each museum, viewing the art and exhibitions through a critical lens. The final part of my presentation will be combining the initial research on the museums and their past and present diversity and inclusion initiatives with my first-hand experience in each institution. I will examine whether the experiences each museum offers lives up to their current practices in decolonizing the fine arts institution. I hope to provide critical information while also remaining optimistic about how far the Art World has come and where it needs to go next.
12:00-12:15pm
Desert X:
How a Small Idea Became as Vast as a Desert
Presenter(s): Olivia Brewin
Advisor(s): Lia Halloran
For this paper, I want to do research on Desert X as a business and nonprofit organization. Nonprofits are defined as a charitable organization with purposes to fund and support individuals and other organizations. Desert X is a biennial show that happens every other year in the Coachella Valley and rotates the next year in Saudi Arabia. International business is not always simple as domestic, especially with business that involves making land art as modes of expression. Much of art is censored in Saudi Arabia, so this area of business intrigues me to do further research on how the transactional relationship came to be. Within the goals of this paper, I want to interview founder Susan Davis and possibly the leading directors on the Desert X team. Questions to be asked while researching this paper are: what makes Desert X different from an established organization? What were the strategic business choices being made? What kind of donors contribute to Desert X? How are the showing artists supported in their exhibition? How were connections made with international business relations in Saudi Arabia? Were there any obstacles in achieving this?
Psychology
12:15-12:30pm
The Role of Nonverbal Behavior in our Perceptions of Potential Collaborators.
Presenter(s): CJ Tadros, Laine Misaka, Kayla Queen, Avery Paez, Katrina Lee, Sophia Wallace
Advisor(s): Dr. Tara Gruenewald
Research in the field of person perception and organizational studies suggests that our non-verbal behaviors, such as hand gestures, can affect how others perceive us in workplace environments. Much of this research has focused on how hand gestures can affect our perceptions of leaders, including observers’ perceptions of confidence, persuasion, and composure (Newman et al., 2016; Talley & Temple, 2015). However, much of our work occurs in a collaborative peer context. The aim of the present study is to examine if specific hand gestures found to positively or negatively influence perceptions of leadership ability would similarly influence how individuals viewed a potential collaboration target. Specifically, we are examining whether the use of positive (open, collaborative), negative (closed, crossed), and absent (no movement) hand gestures during speaking affects how individuals view a target who is a potential candidate for a work position that requires collaboration and teamwork. We are currently employing a between-subjects experiment in which participants are randomly assigned to view a speaker target who displays positive, negative, or absent hand gestures while being interviewed for a collaborative employment position. Observers are also asked to interview for the same position before viewing and rating the other potential job applicant. Observers’ perceptions of the other job applicant are being assessed through subjective ratings (e.g., speaker’s warmth, agreeableness, approachability and observers’ desire to collaborate with the target) and objective indicators (observers’ facial expressions of emotion). Our use of an automated facial emotion coding system, FaceReader, is an important methodological innovation to capture more objective reactions of observers when viewing a potential collaboration target. Results are predicted to show a higher level of interest in collaborating with, and more favorable ratings of and emotional reactions towards, speakers that use positive hand gestures, followed by the negative condition, then the absent gesture condition.
12:15-12:30pm
The Role of Nonverbal Behavior in our Perceptions of Potential Collaborators.
Presenter(s): CJ Tadros, Laine Misaka, Kayla Queen, Avery Paez, Katrina Lee, Sophia Wallace
Advisor(s): Dr. Tara Gruenewald
Research in the field of person perception and organizational studies suggests that our non-verbal behaviors, such as hand gestures, can affect how others perceive us in workplace environments. Much of this research has focused on how hand gestures can affect our perceptions of leaders, including observers’ perceptions of confidence, persuasion, and composure (Newman et al., 2016; Talley & Temple, 2015). However, much of our work occurs in a collaborative peer context. The aim of the present study is to examine if specific hand gestures found to positively or negatively influence perceptions of leadership ability would similarly influence how individuals viewed a potential collaboration target. Specifically, we are examining whether the use of positive (open, collaborative), negative (closed, crossed), and absent (no movement) hand gestures during speaking affects how individuals view a target who is a potential candidate for a work position that requires collaboration and teamwork. We are currently employing a between-subjects experiment in which participants are randomly assigned to view a speaker target who displays positive, negative, or absent hand gestures while being interviewed for a collaborative employment position. Observers are also asked to interview for the same position before viewing and rating the other potential job applicant. Observers’ perceptions of the other job applicant are being assessed through subjective ratings (e.g., speaker’s warmth, agreeableness, approachability and observers’ desire to collaborate with the target) and objective indicators (observers’ facial expressions of emotion). Our use of an automated facial emotion coding system, FaceReader, is an important methodological innovation to capture more objective reactions of observers when viewing a potential collaboration target. Results are predicted to show a higher level of interest in collaborating with, and more favorable ratings of and emotional reactions towards, speakers that use positive hand gestures, followed by the negative condition, then the absent gesture condition.
Room B
Moderator: Dr. Martina Nieswandt
Integrated Educational Studies
11:30-11:45 am
Avoiding Shame: Filipino American’s Motivations for Higher Education
Presenter(s): Myra Dayrit
Advisor(s): Dr. Stephany Cuevas
Filipinos are often referred to as the “forgotten Asians” or “Latinos of Asia” due to the centuries of colonization in the Philippines. This deficit discourse often minimizes the experiences of Filipino Americans, especially in higher education settings. Filipinos typically are lumped into the greater myth of the Asian model minority, allowing for little research specific to Filipino Americans' experiences. The Filipino American experiences differ from those of other Asian Americans due to their complex history with the United States. Thus, the lack of research in this underrepresented population, especially in higher education, is significant because access to a college degree is vital to social mobility in America. This research study aims to further our understanding of Filipino American motives in their aspirations for higher education. The literature shows that Filipino families emphasize the importance of dependency and a sense of obligation. Filipino American children are told they are ungrateful or shameful if this responsibility is left disappointed. Therefore in aspirations for higher education, Filipino Americans are more likely to go to school due to family commitments. Other researchers have noted that attending college was less about the “college experience” and more about receiving a job to fulfill a familial obligation. Through the use of systematic literature methodology, this study pushes for better serving
Filipino Americans and their aspirations for higher education.
Peace Studies
11:45-12:00 pm
Jail, Bail, and Pretrial Policies: The Politics of Modern Bail Reform Efforts in the Fight Against Mass Incarceration
Presenter(s): Anika Manuel
Advisor(s): Dr. Hilmi Ulas
Although current activists and change-makers have rallied together to tackle the notorious system of mass incarceration within the United States, one critical pillar of this system has been often overlooked: the practice of commercial bail in pretrial policies. These policies directly impact jail population and growth, and the discriminatory practice of bail has resulted in an increase of people being held in pretrial detention simply due to their lack of means to pay their bail amount. The existing literature agrees that unjust pretrial policies must be addressed in any future efforts to change the system of mass incarceration. Yet, efforts to transform pretrial services and bail have been unsuccessful thus far, even within liberal state legislatures initiating the reform efforts. What has made this pretrial practice so resistant to change even though there is increasing attention to its faults? To address this gap, this paper seeks to answer one key question: what are the underlying dynamics surrounding unsuccessful commercial bail reform efforts in liberal state legislatures today? Gathering data from legislation, news articles, official voter guides, policy reports, news articles, court cases, nonprofit mission statements, policy updates, budget reports, and more, this paper utilizes a comparative case study of California and New York and will explore various political, economic, and socio-cultural factors that have contributed to the persistence of the bail industry. In this, it aims to build a more nuanced framework through which to understand the issue of commercial bail, as well as shed light on the current dynamics surrounding criminal justice reform in modern-day society.
Religious Studies
12:00-12:15pm
Disability and the Western Christian Church: An Evolving Theology
Presenter(s): Cambria Acheson
Advisor(s): Dr. Kirk Sandvig
Historically, Western society has struggled to embrace the disability community appropriately and affirmingly, sustaining the infiltration of ableist ideologies in many realms of life. My research seeks to question and address the existence of ableist attitudes in religious spaces and ideologies, specifically centering my scope on Western Christianity for a more focused approach. I have shaped my research around a series of initial questions: Does an outdated, ableist historical perspective remain intertwined into mainstream churches and Biblical interpretations, even as the religion evolves? How have Western Christian theology and behaviors addressed the sociohistorical othering of people with disabilities, and how might contemporary disability studies benefit this religious context? My research investigates ideologies from the historical context of the Bible to the modern present, guided by several key texts from scholars of religious and disability studies. I research how stigma lingers in the Church of Western Christianity, manifesting subtly in ableist interpretations of scripture and treatment of people with disabilities. Furthermore, I contend that this stigma demands contemporary shifts in its interpretation of Biblical healing and disability experience, best guided by voices within the disability community and the evolving frontier of disability theology. Building on my research and experience with family members in the disability community, I contribute a practical framework for improvement of attitude, acceptance, and accommodations in the Church, asserting the mission of inclusion and accommodation as an immediate opportunity for the Church to widen its embrace ideologically and practically.
Moderator: Dr. Martina Nieswandt
Integrated Educational Studies
11:30-11:45 am
Avoiding Shame: Filipino American’s Motivations for Higher Education
Presenter(s): Myra Dayrit
Advisor(s): Dr. Stephany Cuevas
Filipinos are often referred to as the “forgotten Asians” or “Latinos of Asia” due to the centuries of colonization in the Philippines. This deficit discourse often minimizes the experiences of Filipino Americans, especially in higher education settings. Filipinos typically are lumped into the greater myth of the Asian model minority, allowing for little research specific to Filipino Americans' experiences. The Filipino American experiences differ from those of other Asian Americans due to their complex history with the United States. Thus, the lack of research in this underrepresented population, especially in higher education, is significant because access to a college degree is vital to social mobility in America. This research study aims to further our understanding of Filipino American motives in their aspirations for higher education. The literature shows that Filipino families emphasize the importance of dependency and a sense of obligation. Filipino American children are told they are ungrateful or shameful if this responsibility is left disappointed. Therefore in aspirations for higher education, Filipino Americans are more likely to go to school due to family commitments. Other researchers have noted that attending college was less about the “college experience” and more about receiving a job to fulfill a familial obligation. Through the use of systematic literature methodology, this study pushes for better serving
Filipino Americans and their aspirations for higher education.
Peace Studies
11:45-12:00 pm
Jail, Bail, and Pretrial Policies: The Politics of Modern Bail Reform Efforts in the Fight Against Mass Incarceration
Presenter(s): Anika Manuel
Advisor(s): Dr. Hilmi Ulas
Although current activists and change-makers have rallied together to tackle the notorious system of mass incarceration within the United States, one critical pillar of this system has been often overlooked: the practice of commercial bail in pretrial policies. These policies directly impact jail population and growth, and the discriminatory practice of bail has resulted in an increase of people being held in pretrial detention simply due to their lack of means to pay their bail amount. The existing literature agrees that unjust pretrial policies must be addressed in any future efforts to change the system of mass incarceration. Yet, efforts to transform pretrial services and bail have been unsuccessful thus far, even within liberal state legislatures initiating the reform efforts. What has made this pretrial practice so resistant to change even though there is increasing attention to its faults? To address this gap, this paper seeks to answer one key question: what are the underlying dynamics surrounding unsuccessful commercial bail reform efforts in liberal state legislatures today? Gathering data from legislation, news articles, official voter guides, policy reports, news articles, court cases, nonprofit mission statements, policy updates, budget reports, and more, this paper utilizes a comparative case study of California and New York and will explore various political, economic, and socio-cultural factors that have contributed to the persistence of the bail industry. In this, it aims to build a more nuanced framework through which to understand the issue of commercial bail, as well as shed light on the current dynamics surrounding criminal justice reform in modern-day society.
Religious Studies
12:00-12:15pm
Disability and the Western Christian Church: An Evolving Theology
Presenter(s): Cambria Acheson
Advisor(s): Dr. Kirk Sandvig
Historically, Western society has struggled to embrace the disability community appropriately and affirmingly, sustaining the infiltration of ableist ideologies in many realms of life. My research seeks to question and address the existence of ableist attitudes in religious spaces and ideologies, specifically centering my scope on Western Christianity for a more focused approach. I have shaped my research around a series of initial questions: Does an outdated, ableist historical perspective remain intertwined into mainstream churches and Biblical interpretations, even as the religion evolves? How have Western Christian theology and behaviors addressed the sociohistorical othering of people with disabilities, and how might contemporary disability studies benefit this religious context? My research investigates ideologies from the historical context of the Bible to the modern present, guided by several key texts from scholars of religious and disability studies. I research how stigma lingers in the Church of Western Christianity, manifesting subtly in ableist interpretations of scripture and treatment of people with disabilities. Furthermore, I contend that this stigma demands contemporary shifts in its interpretation of Biblical healing and disability experience, best guided by voices within the disability community and the evolving frontier of disability theology. Building on my research and experience with family members in the disability community, I contribute a practical framework for improvement of attitude, acceptance, and accommodations in the Church, asserting the mission of inclusion and accommodation as an immediate opportunity for the Church to widen its embrace ideologically and practically.
Room C
Moderator: Dr. Jocelyn Buckner
Theatre
11:30-11:45 am
Live From New York It’s Hollywood!: Examining the Trend of Screen-to-Stage Adaptations
Presenter(s): Teddy Pagee
Advisor(s): Dr. Jocelyn Buckner
Over the past decade, Broadway has seen an increasing number of screen-to-stage adaptations. Waitress, Mean Girls, Frozen, Beetlejuice, and Moulin Rouge are just a few examples. While screen-to-stage adaptations are not a new concept exclusive to the last ten years, there has definitely been a higher demand for producing such shows. Why are we seeing this increase in screen-to-stage adaptations and why are people interested in seeing these adaptations on stage? In this paper, I will be closely examining three adapted screen-to-stage musicals that have been produced in the past ten years to find what makes these adaptations successful, concerning commercial and artistic success. These musicals were chosen with consideration for differences in cinematic style and tone, as well as their stage debut year on Broadway. The selected adaptations are Mean Girls, Beetlejuice, and Finding Neverland. I will also be exploring the concept of adapturgy—a term coined by Jane Barnette used to describe the dramaturgical process for adaptations—in addition to discovering the correlation between the choice of film stories to retell, and the stamp on pop culture these films have left. By seeking the answer to what makes screen-to-stage adaptations successful, I hope to better understand why the theatre industry continues down this trend.
11:45-12:00 pm
Where Women Dominate: A Look Into Why and How the Stage Management Industry is Predominantly Female
Presenter(s): Emma Accacian
Advisor(s): Dr. Jocelyn Buckner
In order to analyze the reasons behind the female dominance in the stage management industry, we must look at the ways in which more ‘feminine’ managerial styles are being developed, utilized, and embraced internationally across industries and how those styles cater to the role of a stage manager. As the rate of women employed in senior management positions continues to rise, 25% to 31% in the last five years, research comparing the management and leadership styles of men and women has expanded as well (Gourtsilidou). Some qualities that are commonly used across research to describe a more ‘feminine’ interaction style include “facilitative, supportive feedback, conciliatory,... collaborative,... [and] person/process-oriented,” where as ‘masculine’ interaction styles are “competitive, aggressive interruptions, confrontational,... autonomous,... [and] task/ outcome-oriented,” (Ladegaard). I will use this research, intandem with my own through conducting interviews, to prove why women in the stage management industry deserve to be paid at least an equal rate to their male counterparts, due to their innate skills plus the additional barriers women face in society as a whole. Keeping in mind that various factors that shape and contribute to an individual’s management and leadership style, the existence and presence of non-binary individuals in these spaces also disproves the sole relance on gender as a primary factor of an individual’s actions. It intrigues me that the theatre world is still largely dominated by men, yet the stage management industry itself is the exception. In my study, I will focus my research to examine how ‘feminine’ management styles are best suited for the role of a stage manager in an attempt to explain and expand on why it is one of the few industries where women outnumber men.
12:00-12:15pm
“Why this post now?”: Dramaturging Political Events and Social Media Content
Presenter(s): Kennedy Kemmerer
Advisor(s): Dr. Jocelyn Buckner
Political events have always been influenced by the media, but social media has provided a much stronger influence than the typical newspaper or radio. Users of social media accounts (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, etc.) have the opportunity to share whatever they want, to whoever they want, whenever they want. While social media has given immense opportunity for artists and creators alike, it has also given way for creators to participate in uninformed performance, whether intended or not, with their content. My question is: are social media consumers considering whether content, specifically political content, is actually true or are they accepting it at face value? Political events are being exacerbated by the influence of uninformed performance. From broadcasted political debates, twitter feuds, and family dinners, “controversial” political topics are causing tears in the fabric which has held this nation together. Social media is, moment to moment, shaping the political agenda and contributing to a society filled with emotionally driven misinformation. I am proposing the application of a dramaturgical perspective for consumers when approaching political social media. Dramaturgy is the theatrical study of how theater text or work contributes to the world we live in and how we can analyze theatre to give integrity to the authenticity of the story. I am curious if using a dramaturgical lens in social media consumption will help promote analysis of information, furthering informed performance, and providing a space for compromise. In my project I will be using my skills as a theatre artist to dramaturgically analyze political events which were clearly influenced by social media, in preparation for theatrical creation. I hope that my project simply showcases how using a dramaturgical mindset can help media users successfully navigate informed and uninformed political content while also giving creators an example of how to devise informed performance.
Moderator: Dr. Jocelyn Buckner
Theatre
11:30-11:45 am
Live From New York It’s Hollywood!: Examining the Trend of Screen-to-Stage Adaptations
Presenter(s): Teddy Pagee
Advisor(s): Dr. Jocelyn Buckner
Over the past decade, Broadway has seen an increasing number of screen-to-stage adaptations. Waitress, Mean Girls, Frozen, Beetlejuice, and Moulin Rouge are just a few examples. While screen-to-stage adaptations are not a new concept exclusive to the last ten years, there has definitely been a higher demand for producing such shows. Why are we seeing this increase in screen-to-stage adaptations and why are people interested in seeing these adaptations on stage? In this paper, I will be closely examining three adapted screen-to-stage musicals that have been produced in the past ten years to find what makes these adaptations successful, concerning commercial and artistic success. These musicals were chosen with consideration for differences in cinematic style and tone, as well as their stage debut year on Broadway. The selected adaptations are Mean Girls, Beetlejuice, and Finding Neverland. I will also be exploring the concept of adapturgy—a term coined by Jane Barnette used to describe the dramaturgical process for adaptations—in addition to discovering the correlation between the choice of film stories to retell, and the stamp on pop culture these films have left. By seeking the answer to what makes screen-to-stage adaptations successful, I hope to better understand why the theatre industry continues down this trend.
11:45-12:00 pm
Where Women Dominate: A Look Into Why and How the Stage Management Industry is Predominantly Female
Presenter(s): Emma Accacian
Advisor(s): Dr. Jocelyn Buckner
In order to analyze the reasons behind the female dominance in the stage management industry, we must look at the ways in which more ‘feminine’ managerial styles are being developed, utilized, and embraced internationally across industries and how those styles cater to the role of a stage manager. As the rate of women employed in senior management positions continues to rise, 25% to 31% in the last five years, research comparing the management and leadership styles of men and women has expanded as well (Gourtsilidou). Some qualities that are commonly used across research to describe a more ‘feminine’ interaction style include “facilitative, supportive feedback, conciliatory,... collaborative,... [and] person/process-oriented,” where as ‘masculine’ interaction styles are “competitive, aggressive interruptions, confrontational,... autonomous,... [and] task/ outcome-oriented,” (Ladegaard). I will use this research, intandem with my own through conducting interviews, to prove why women in the stage management industry deserve to be paid at least an equal rate to their male counterparts, due to their innate skills plus the additional barriers women face in society as a whole. Keeping in mind that various factors that shape and contribute to an individual’s management and leadership style, the existence and presence of non-binary individuals in these spaces also disproves the sole relance on gender as a primary factor of an individual’s actions. It intrigues me that the theatre world is still largely dominated by men, yet the stage management industry itself is the exception. In my study, I will focus my research to examine how ‘feminine’ management styles are best suited for the role of a stage manager in an attempt to explain and expand on why it is one of the few industries where women outnumber men.
12:00-12:15pm
“Why this post now?”: Dramaturging Political Events and Social Media Content
Presenter(s): Kennedy Kemmerer
Advisor(s): Dr. Jocelyn Buckner
Political events have always been influenced by the media, but social media has provided a much stronger influence than the typical newspaper or radio. Users of social media accounts (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, etc.) have the opportunity to share whatever they want, to whoever they want, whenever they want. While social media has given immense opportunity for artists and creators alike, it has also given way for creators to participate in uninformed performance, whether intended or not, with their content. My question is: are social media consumers considering whether content, specifically political content, is actually true or are they accepting it at face value? Political events are being exacerbated by the influence of uninformed performance. From broadcasted political debates, twitter feuds, and family dinners, “controversial” political topics are causing tears in the fabric which has held this nation together. Social media is, moment to moment, shaping the political agenda and contributing to a society filled with emotionally driven misinformation. I am proposing the application of a dramaturgical perspective for consumers when approaching political social media. Dramaturgy is the theatrical study of how theater text or work contributes to the world we live in and how we can analyze theatre to give integrity to the authenticity of the story. I am curious if using a dramaturgical lens in social media consumption will help promote analysis of information, furthering informed performance, and providing a space for compromise. In my project I will be using my skills as a theatre artist to dramaturgically analyze political events which were clearly influenced by social media, in preparation for theatrical creation. I hope that my project simply showcases how using a dramaturgical mindset can help media users successfully navigate informed and uninformed political content while also giving creators an example of how to devise informed performance.
12:15-12:30pm
The Future of Representation & Diversity in Audio Dramas
Presenter(s): Lindsay Newland
Advisor(s): Dr. Jocelyn Buckner
This thesis explores the diverse nature of narrative podcasts or audio dramas in terms of sexuality, race, and gender, why this medium is conducive for this, and how it has both succeeded and failed in this endeavor. I will use narrative podcasts and audio dramas interchangeably to refer to fictional audio-only narrative stories. This thesis will compare the diversity of six relatively popular narrative podcasts to relatively popular stories produced in other mediums all created in the last ten years. Those are the television shows What We Do in the Shadows, Merlin, and Strange Things and the plays She Kills Monster, Hamilton, and Fairview. Audience reaction will also be taken into account in terms of diversity. In what ways are these projects celebrated for their story, character, and casting choices? In what ways are they criticized for the same? How have these reactions changed over time? The creatives’ reactions and actions taken after receiving praise and criticism will also be explored. In addition, this thesis will examine how the medium of narrative podcasts’ only auditory nature and easier gateway to entry impacts story, character, and casting choices, as well as sexuality, race, and gender. I will accomplish this by looking at least one season of six different narrative podcasts and published reactions to them, including Welcome to Nightvale, The Penumbra Podcast, The Magnus Archives, The Two Princess, Alice is Dead, and The Adventure Zone. These findings and explorations will help highlight the benefits of narrative podcasts as a medium, why they have been a historically diverse medium, and where this medium can and should go in the future. This paper will also show how high concept stories are made attainable without visuals and diverse stories are encouraged by the lack of executives and gatekeeping required in other mediums.
12:30-12:45pm
If You Love Me For Me: An Analysis of Queer-Coding in the Children’s Film “Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper”
Presenter(s): Sam Evans
Advisor(s): Dr. Jocelyn Buckner
Children’s television and movies typically exclude queer characters from scripts, and efforts to show queer relationships and identities are met with discouraging backlash from homophobic and transphobic conservatives. However, many queer people know that they are queer, or at least that they do not fit into cisgender and heterosexual norms, from a young age. Many adults reflect on their “gay awakenings” brought about by specific “queer-coded” characters and interactions from the media they consumed as a child. I claim that “Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper,” a 2004 musical animated feature film that is based on the Mark Twain novel and is beloved among Barbie movie enthusiasts, is a prime example of queer-coding in children’s media. I will demonstrate my argument through a queer reading of the titular “pauper,” Erika, as a transgender woman; the relationship between the “princess,” Anneliese, and her royal tutor, Julian, as an allegory of sapphic desires in a heteronormative society; and the friendship between Erika and Anneliese as an example of solidarity between a transgender woman and a lesbian cisgender woman in queerness, femininity, and womanhood. I will also use this queer reading to propose a hypothetical stage adaptation that thoroughly develops and represents the queer identities within this film. Finally, I will reflect on how productions of published musicals can incorporate queer stories where none explicitly exist. Revealing queer-coded themes in children’s media and expanding upon them into fully-realized queer narratives is imperative to including, supporting, and protecting the lives of queer youth. By popularizing and increasing the amount of queer children’s stories in mainstream media, society can further the normalization and liberation of queer identities.
The Future of Representation & Diversity in Audio Dramas
Presenter(s): Lindsay Newland
Advisor(s): Dr. Jocelyn Buckner
This thesis explores the diverse nature of narrative podcasts or audio dramas in terms of sexuality, race, and gender, why this medium is conducive for this, and how it has both succeeded and failed in this endeavor. I will use narrative podcasts and audio dramas interchangeably to refer to fictional audio-only narrative stories. This thesis will compare the diversity of six relatively popular narrative podcasts to relatively popular stories produced in other mediums all created in the last ten years. Those are the television shows What We Do in the Shadows, Merlin, and Strange Things and the plays She Kills Monster, Hamilton, and Fairview. Audience reaction will also be taken into account in terms of diversity. In what ways are these projects celebrated for their story, character, and casting choices? In what ways are they criticized for the same? How have these reactions changed over time? The creatives’ reactions and actions taken after receiving praise and criticism will also be explored. In addition, this thesis will examine how the medium of narrative podcasts’ only auditory nature and easier gateway to entry impacts story, character, and casting choices, as well as sexuality, race, and gender. I will accomplish this by looking at least one season of six different narrative podcasts and published reactions to them, including Welcome to Nightvale, The Penumbra Podcast, The Magnus Archives, The Two Princess, Alice is Dead, and The Adventure Zone. These findings and explorations will help highlight the benefits of narrative podcasts as a medium, why they have been a historically diverse medium, and where this medium can and should go in the future. This paper will also show how high concept stories are made attainable without visuals and diverse stories are encouraged by the lack of executives and gatekeeping required in other mediums.
12:30-12:45pm
If You Love Me For Me: An Analysis of Queer-Coding in the Children’s Film “Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper”
Presenter(s): Sam Evans
Advisor(s): Dr. Jocelyn Buckner
Children’s television and movies typically exclude queer characters from scripts, and efforts to show queer relationships and identities are met with discouraging backlash from homophobic and transphobic conservatives. However, many queer people know that they are queer, or at least that they do not fit into cisgender and heterosexual norms, from a young age. Many adults reflect on their “gay awakenings” brought about by specific “queer-coded” characters and interactions from the media they consumed as a child. I claim that “Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper,” a 2004 musical animated feature film that is based on the Mark Twain novel and is beloved among Barbie movie enthusiasts, is a prime example of queer-coding in children’s media. I will demonstrate my argument through a queer reading of the titular “pauper,” Erika, as a transgender woman; the relationship between the “princess,” Anneliese, and her royal tutor, Julian, as an allegory of sapphic desires in a heteronormative society; and the friendship between Erika and Anneliese as an example of solidarity between a transgender woman and a lesbian cisgender woman in queerness, femininity, and womanhood. I will also use this queer reading to propose a hypothetical stage adaptation that thoroughly develops and represents the queer identities within this film. Finally, I will reflect on how productions of published musicals can incorporate queer stories where none explicitly exist. Revealing queer-coded themes in children’s media and expanding upon them into fully-realized queer narratives is imperative to including, supporting, and protecting the lives of queer youth. By popularizing and increasing the amount of queer children’s stories in mainstream media, society can further the normalization and liberation of queer identities.