Working Week

Author

Steven Everett Ackerman, Southern Illinois University CarbondaleFollow

Date of Award

5-1-2010

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts

Department

Theater

First Advisor

Rush, David

Abstract

Working Week began as a need to explore the history of comic books, specifically the superhero genre, but soon transformed into the journey through a child's imagination and its fragile state. The play attempts to connect the creation of a new world and its eventual destruction at the hand of the Comic Book Code Authority and its stringent laws against risqué subject matter, while incorporating the industry's major genres using a language-based form of playwriting. At its most simplistic, it is the story of a child and his imagination fighting for survival against a traditional, formal establishment. The difficulty lies in making a seamless transition in and out of the child's imaginary state as well as presenting an entertaining story fully realized on stage. This thesis follows Working Week from its origin, through the rehearsal process, to its production at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in the fall of 2009. The introduction is an accompanying essay, written before the production began, discussing personal theatrical ideals. The first part of the thesis, Concepts and Intentions, delves into the inception and the accompanying research. The second part, The Production Process, details the rehearsal process and re-writes. Finally, the third, Reactions, Self Evaluation, and Revision, contains postproduction discussions from the general audience, ACTF respondents, and committee members. In addition, I have included a copy of the production draft of Working Week.