UUnniivveerrssiittyy ooff AArrkkaannssaass,, FFaayyeetttteevviillllee SScchhoollaarrWWoorrkkss@@UUAARRKK Graduate Theses and Dissertations 5-2012 PPllaayyiinngg AAnnnn iinn AArrtthhuurr MMiilllleerr''ss AAllll MMyy SSoonnss:: OOnnee AAccttrreessss'' AApppprrooaacchh iinn CCrreeaattiinngg aa RRoollee Abbey Jo Molyneux University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd Part of the Acting Commons, and the Performance Studies Commons CCiittaattiioonn Molyneux, A. J. (2012). Playing Ann in Arthur Miller's All My Sons: One Actress' Approach in Creating a Role. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/279 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact [email protected]. PLAYING ANN IN ARTHUR MILLER’S ALL MY SONS: ONE ACTRESS’ APPROACH IN CREATING A ROLE PLAYING ANN IN ARTHUR MILLER’S ALL MY SONS: ONE ACTRESS’ APPROACH IN CREATING A ROLE A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts in Drama By Abbey Jo Molyneux University of Arkansas Bachelor of Arts in Drama, 2006 May 2012 University of Arkansas ABSTRACT The intent of this thesis, Playing Ann in Arthur Miller’s All My Sons: One Actress’ Approach in Creating a Role, is to document the research, analysis, and personal journey that informed the rehearsal and production processes in my portrayal as the character in the aforementioned title. This thesis includes the following five chapters: Script Analysis, Character Analysis, Created Materials, Reflections on the Audition, Rehearsal, and Production Processes, and A Summation of the Creative Process. All My Sons by Arthur Miller was produced by the University of Arkansas in the University Theatre February 1-10, 2008, and directed by Michael Landman. This thesis is approved for recommendation to the Graduate Council. Thesis Director: ___________________________________ Dr. Andrew Gibbs Thesis Committee: ___________________________________ Prof. Patricia Martin ___________________________________ Assoc. Prof. Michael Landman THESIS DUPLICATION RELEASE I hereby authorize the University of Arkansas Libraries to duplicate this thesis when needed for research and/or scholarship. Agreed_________________________ Abbey Jo Molyneux Refused________________________ Abbey Jo Molyneux ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Special thanks to the faculty and staff in the Department of Drama at the University of Arkansas for their continued inspiration and support; in particular, to Dr. Andrew Gibbs, Patricia Martin, and Michael Landman for their tireless efforts in helping with the completion of this thesis. Also, special thanks to the staff of the University of Arkansas Graduate School for their help with this thesis. DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to William for his support and Tim Sanders for his generosity and motivation. TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION/THESIS STATEMENT 1 A. Play Synopsis 1 II. MASTER’S THESIS 2 A. Script Analysis 2 1. Given Circumstances 2 2. Meaning of the Title and Theme 5 3. Initial, Central and Main Events 7 B. Character Analysis 8 1. What is Said About Ann 8 2. Relevance of the Name, Ann Deever 11 3. Purpose of Ann 12 4. Ann’s Preferences 12 5. Ann’s Use of Language 14 6. Super-objective, Catalyst Moments and Objectives 14 7. Ann’s Overall Journey 16 C. Created Materials 17 1. Biographical and Directorial Concept Material 17 2. Influences and Inspirations in Creating the Role 29 D. Reflections on the Audition, Rehearsal and Production Processes 31 E. A Summation of the Creative Process 58 III. BIBLIOGRAPHY 59