Off-campus SJSU users: To download campus access theses, please use the following link to log into our proxy server with your SJSU library user name and PIN.

Publication Date

Fall 2010

Degree Type

Thesis - Campus Access Only

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Theatre Arts

Advisor

Kimb Massey

Keywords

gay marriage, gay rights, performance, Prop 8, san francisco bay area, theater

Subject Areas

Theater; GLBT Studies

Abstract

This thesis explores how theatres in the San Francisco Bay Area that are members of the Theatre Bay Area organization responded to the political climate of California in terms of gay issues in 2008-2010. Specific questions posed by the study include: (1) Has Proposition 8 affected the way theatres handle gay-themed shows and, if so, how? (2) How have theatres that produced shows with gay themes in their 2008-2009 or 2009-2010 seasons contributed to an environment of social advocacy in terms of gay issues? Through the lens of Augusto Boal's work and Forum Theatre and Victor Turner's notion of Communitas, it is argued that the potential for social change in the surveyed theatres was achieved. Suggestions are also made for theatres that would like to produce gay-themed works in the future.

Download

Share

COinS