Degree Name
Master of Arts
Document Type
Thesis
Date Created
12-2019
Department
College of Performing and Visual Arts, Theatre Arts and Dance, Theatre Arts and Dance Student Work
Abstract
Youth in America have access to numerous stories on stage, page, and screen, yet many of those tales originate from white, Euro-centric cultures. Current trends in American theatre often produce familiar scripts to present to their communities. Unfortunately, too often, stories from other cultures are not adapted and presented. This thesis seeks to provide a culture bridge by adapting one of China’s most beloved stories, The Monkey King, for a young American audience through the medium of Theatre for Young Audiences. Theatre is a great unifier; however, the most critical audience, the audience that will grow into the next generation of theatre audiences and practitioners, must expand their appreciation for not only stories passed on from generation to generation, but also from culture to culture. Using theatre as a vehicle to instill this cultural connection provided young audiences an invaluable opportunity of appreciation while giving even more valuable lessons of tolerance and understanding to the adults who mounted the production.
Keywords
Theatre for Young Audiences; Monkey King; Original Script
Rights Statement
Copyright is held by the author.
Recommended Citation
Loehrke, Matt, "The Monkey Queen: Creating Cultural Connections through Theatre for Young Audiences" (2019). Master's Theses. 132.
https://digscholarship.unco.edu/theses/132