Theatre of the mind, live on stage: Radio theatre production for theatre practitioners

TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY The Graduate School Lubbock, Texas

ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION

for the Degree of

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Author’s Full Name: Keith Ray West

Title of Dissertation: Theatre of the Mind, Live on Stage: Radio Theatre Production for Theatre Practitioners

Major: Fine Arts (Theatre)

Date of Graduation: August, 2007

Radio Theatre, the performance art of combining voice talent, sound effects, and music before live studio and broadcast audiences, was popular during the Golden Age of radio (1930 to 1950). Since 1950, regular television programming has relegated radio theatre in the United States to historical re-creations and public radio broadcasts. In recent years, the number of radio theatre production companies has increased among educational and community theatre groups. My experience has shown a close similarity between classic stage theatre production skills and radio theatre production skills.
This dissertation is the first study to identify skills and procedures required to produce radio theatre by individuals with stage theatre training and experience. The areas examined include script selection, voice talent, sound effects, music, sound equipment, visual elements, and business aspects. The study concludes with a skit comedy script written by the author and suggestions for performance.