Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

1973

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department / School

Speech

Abstract

The task of selecting a one-act play, auditioning student actors for roles, and then directing the production for competitive performance is a challenge which annually confronts high school drama coaches throughout South Dakota. While there are many coaches who accept the challenge of competitive dramatics and continue to meet the challenge, records provided by the South Dakota High School Activities Association indicate that there is a greater number of drama coaches who do not participate in the program. Therefore, this study was conducted as a means of examining the degree and manner of participation in the competitive one-act play program in South Dakota high schools. Several factors were instrumental in prompting the writer to undertake this particular study. First, and perhaps foremost, is a personal interest in theatre. The writer believes that the opportunity of participating in competitive theatre activities, perhaps more than any other extra-curricular program, allows for individual creativity while providing a valuable educational and aesthetic experience. The competitive element of the one-act play program, it is felt, serves as still another incentive for students to strive for self-improvement as actors and actresses, as well as for maximum achievement in theatrical production. Therefore, it was hoped that this study would clarify reasons for non-participation and also help to answer many questions that nonparticipating schools have regarding the competitive one-act program. It was also anticipated that the completed· study would be of some value to both the South Dakota High School Activities Association and the South Dakota Speech Association, not only as an historical compilation, but also as a reference and guideline for future changes which might benefit the South Dakota competitive one-act program. The purpose of this study is to examine the degree and manner of participation in the competitive one-act play program in South Dakota high schools. The competitive one-act play program in this case includes the one-act play productions presented on the local, divisional, and state levels by schools participating in the annual South Dakota High School Activities Association one-act play program. More specifically, the study includes an historical survey of the one-act play contest.in South Dakota, with particular emphasis on the changes made and the reasons offered for change, and an analysis of the degree and manner of participation by member schools.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Theater -- South Dakota

High schools -- South Dakota

One-act plays

South Dakota State University Theses

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

165

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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