DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/YAVK-ZG13
Defense Date
2022
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts
Department
Theatre
First Advisor
Dr Keith Byron Kirk
Second Advisor
Dr. Jesse Njus
Third Advisor
Dr. Aaron Anderson
Abstract
Holler: An Appatragedy is a play written in order to indict, examine and contemplate the toxic ideals of Appalachian culture. The play and the following in-depth character analysis are meant to portray a quartet of siblings who have been abandoned by their parents due to undisclosed issues (potentially addiction or mental health issues) and left to be cared for by their grandparents.
Throughout the events of the play, the culture is questioned as the elder siblings return from their lives outside Appalachia to attend the grandmother’s funeral, colliding with their brother and scheming to help their youngest brother escape from Appalachia’s grip before it can imprison him for good. The characters are symbolist whereas the setting is expressionistic in nature, specifically the dilapidated nature of the home and its parallels to the dilapidated nature of the familial relationship. The siblings are further inconvenienced by a snowstorm, left with no electricity or heat to fight against the ever-growing frigidity of the outside world (in more ways than one).
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
5-11-2022