Machinal: A Sourcebook For The Actress Playing young Women

This thesis will document four phases of my rehearsal process/performance while portraying the role of Helen in Sophie Treadwell\u27s Machinal. The first phase of the project will be researching and analyzing historical material on: Sophie Treadwell (the playwright) Ruth Snyder (the murderess upon whom the character of Helen is based), and the actual murder that occurred in the 1920\u27s. The second phase that will be documented is a character analysis. I will take each episode and divide it into the following sections: given circumstances, what is said about the character by the playwright, by others, or by herself, objectives, tactics, vocal traits, and physical traits. The third phase will include a written journal of my experiences as an actor as they occurred during the rehearsals and performances. The fourth and final phase will include a self-analysis of the performance. I will reflect on my abilities in synthesizing the research and character analysis found in phase one and two into the actual performance. In addition, Committee Chair, Mark Brotherton, and my thesis Committee Members, Kate Ingram and Vanduyn Wood will also give written responses. The performances will be held February 14-17, and 21-24, 2007 in the University of Central Florida\u27s Black Box Theatre. Dr. Julia Listengarten will direct the performance