Unmasking the History of Performance

A collection of researched Western theatre performance styles, developed into a 30-minute performance, that provides the audience with a picture of how theatre has evolved across the centuries: Greek tragedy as exemplified by Euripides\u27 Trojan Women, English Renaissance as exemplified by William Shakespeare\u27s As You Like It, late Victorian comedy of manners as exemplified by Oscar Wilde\u27s The Importance of Being Earnest, and concluding with two Anton Chekhov monologues that exemplify a turning point in Western performance style toward psychological Realism. The actors bring audience members on an educational journey through theatre, utilizing background research in the historical cultures and events as well as historical staging and acting techniques. This performance is intended to showcase the Susquehanna theatre department\u27s work and reveal a piece of what a theatre student studies in order to create art beyond typical commercial theatre