The role of interpersonal communication on the socialization of student-actors in a collegiate theatrical production

Abstract

<p>This study aimed to identify the ways in which an instructor-director socialized student-actors during a collegiate theater production in order to facilitate the socialization of new student-actors into a group of existing performers. The results of this study indicated the instructor-director utilized all twelve socialization tactics during the rehearsal process as her directorial concept dictated the usage. Results of this study also revealed that the instructor-director and student-actors communicated in certain ways in particular situations and that is unnecessary to determine a "one size fits all" socialization strategy. According to this study's findings, all tactics had value depending on the instructor-director, the actors involved in a given production, and the production itself. This study is socially significant because it can enable future instructor-directors to better understand the effects of socialization tactics in a theater setting. Furthermore, the results of this study might provide suggestions to prospective directors about how to improve the socialization of new actors into a cast of veteran performers. Finally, this research may equip new student-actors with ammunition against expected uncertainty associated with entering an unfamiliar theater environment.</p>