The preparation of the role of Lu Ann in Preston Jones's Lu Ann Hampton Laverty Oberlander

Includes bibliographical references (pages #-#)This abstract summarizes the written portion of an\ud "acting thesis." The major component of the thesis involved\ud the author's acting of the title role in Preston Jones's\ud "slice of life" study of West Texas, Lu Ann Hampton Laverty\ud Oberlander. The written portion of the thesis is arranged\ud in three sections, "Background," "Preparation," and "Evaluation." The first section, "Background," describes the theme\ud and structure of the play, with emphasis on Jane's characters,\ud who "are concerned with the business of living:\ud eating, drinking, winning basketball games, playing cheakers,\ud falling in love, getting married, having children, and driving\ud 'neat' cars.'' Special attention is given to Lu Ann's\ud changing perspective as she ages throughout the play. The next section describes "Preparation," which involved a process of "personalization'' of the role,\ud Improvisations and a journal of the actress's experiences\ud helped to locate Lu Ann's relationship to the fictional\ud community of Bradleyville. A growing awareness of Lu Ann's\ud gritty, grainy side led to a need to explore the actress's\ud own "darker side" of "pain, anger, and pettiness." At the\ud same time an effort was made to realize Lu Ann's simple\ud ambition in life, "to have lots and lots of fun," through\ud exercises that allowed the actress a sense of "feeling at\ud horne" with Lu Ann. The final "Evaluation'' includes a description of the\ud pleasure, and the personal growth, experienced in developing\ud and playing the role under the sensitive guidance of\ud the director, George Gunkle. Lastly, mention is made of\ud the awards won by the actress for her portrayal of Lu Ann