Date of Award
Spring 2026
Document Type
Open Access Thesis
Department
Theatre and Dance
First Advisor
Lauren Wilson
Abstract
This thesis reflects on my artistic development during the Master of Fine Arts in Acting program at the University of South Carolina through an analysis of several performance processes, including The Visit, the Commedia dell’arte devised piece Mad Love, Antigone, Twelfth Night, and The Importance of Being Earnest. Drawing from rehearsal experiences, performance practices, and classroom training, the thesis examines how different acting techniques and theatrical traditions shaped my approach to character creation and performance. Throughout these productions, I explored the relationship between voice, body, and emotional truth while applying tools such as the Alexander Technique, Lessac voice work, Michael Chekhov’s psychological gesture, Commedia dell’arte mask performance, and clown training. Each process presented different artistic challenges, including working with heightened language, developing physical characters, navigating comedic performance, and performing in English as a non-native speaker within the American theatre context. By reflecting on these experiences, the thesis documents how rehearsal exploration, ensemble collaboration, and performance practice contributed to my growth as an actor and helped me develop a deeper understanding of truthful and responsive acting on stage.
Rights
© 2026, Didem Ruhi Karci
Recommended Citation
Karci, D. R.(2026). Between Traditions and Techniques: The Growth of an Actor Across Styles and Cultures. (Master's thesis). Retrieved from https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/8808