This is a Thesis.
This production is a passion project, and also the cornerstone of my MFA Thesis. I am seeking to contextualize the role of Viola within the framework of Gender Theory, particularly using Judith Butler's work as a lens. How does the gender of the actor affect the performance of a role in Shakespeare? How does it affect the perception of the role, and how can an actor utilize that perception to connect more fully with the audience? Can an all female cast illuminate hitherto unexplored elements of Shakespeare’s text and characters? These questions are just the beginning. I've included some of my initial writing, in case you are interested in reading along with my process. There's also a Bibliography with some of the books and articles that have inspired my journey thus far. Check them out for more insight into the work!