This thesis is an exploration and reflection of my growth and development as an actor after three years of studies at the University of Arkansas. It includes a statement of artistry, a copy of the program from my thesis performance, a link to my actor website, and a current headshot and resume

Cronin, Kieran Peter

English

ScholarWorks@UARK

University of Arkansas, FayettevilleScholarWorks@UARKTheses and Dissertations8-2014The Development of an ActorKieran Peter CroninUniversity of Arkansas, FayettevilleFollow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/etdPart of the Acting CommonsThis Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by anauthorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact scholar@uark.edu, ccmiddle@uark.edu.Recommended CitationCronin, Kieran Peter, "The Development of an Actor" (2014). Theses and Dissertations. 2159.http://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/2159                       The Development of an Actor                            The Development of an Actor    A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts in Drama    by    Kieran Peter Cronin Northern Kentucky University Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre - Acting, 2011   August 2014 University of Arkansas   This thesis is approved for recommendation to the Graduate Council.    __________________________________ Amy Herzberg, M.F.A.  Thesis Director     __________________________________  __________________________________ Kate Frank, M.F.A.     Mavourneen Dwyer, M.F.A. Committee Member     Committee Member      ABSTRACT  This thesis is an exploration and reflection of my growth and development as an actor after three years of studies at the University of Arkansas. It includes a statement of artistry, a copy of the program from my thesis performance, a link to my actor website, and a current headshot and resume.     ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Special thanks to:  - Amy Herzberg, for changing my life and work forever. - Michael Landman, for always pushing me further and never letting me settle. - Mavourneen Dwyer, for always expecting my best. - Kris Stoker, for showing me the poetic beauty of something only happening once. - Bob Ford, for reminding me that the joy of storytelling never has to end. - Missy, for staying (relatively) sane and helping me to do the same. - Debbie, for your inspirational growth as an artist and friend. - Kate Frank, for trusting me. - Barbara Springer, the beloved Drama Mama, for coffee, snacks, soda, and wise words. - Jeannie Lee, for your never-ending love of storytelling through music. - Ken Jones, for pushing me to pursue an MFA and for recognizing it is what I needed. - Colin, Caitie, and Liam, for being the greatest siblings anyone could ever have and for always keeping me grounded. - Lilly Belle, for being the best friend, lifesaver, and dog that a boy could ever have. - Stephanie, for always showing me the beauty in life, art, friendship, and love.    DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to: My incredible parents, Tim and Mary, who went through a whole lot to see me become who I am today.                  TABLE OF CONTENTS I. STATEMENT OF ARTISTRY .......................................................................... 1 II. THESIS PERFORMANCE PROGRAM ........................................................... 2 III. WEBSITE ........................................................................................................... 6 IV. HEADSHOT AND RESUME ............................................................................ 7 V. WORKS CITED ................................................................................................. 9 VI. APPENDIX ........................................................................................................ 10   1  STATEMENT OF ARTISTRY   I love telling stories. Luckily, in addition to my love of telling stories, I have been given a gift for telling them. As a result of having this gift, I feel it is my duty and pleasure to share stories with as many people as I can. I want to share stories that let people escape, stories that hold a mirror to society, and stories that no one will ever expect. To tell these stories effectively, I must be truthful and honest. At the University of Arkansas I learned that acting is “living truthfully under imaginary circumstances.” This definition is at the core of my approach to acting. By being truthful in every character I create, I am giving the audience every possible opportunity to connect to the action. If it is not truthful, the audience cannot connect. They merely observe. In some cases, this is the objective of art: to observe. This is not the type of art that I want to create. My goal will always be to expose the true nature of the human heart by telling a compelling and honest story so that the audience’s hearts might be moved as well.    2  THESIS PERFORMANCE PROGRAM                   3  An Evening with Actors     Actors  Debbie Baños   Is moving to Chicago in the Fall of ‘14. Kieran Cronin  Is moving to Los Angeles in the Spring of ‘15.  Missy Maramara   Is moving to the Manila, Philippines in the Summer of ‘14.              This performance is in accordance with re-  quirements for graduation.          4  Program  1.   Reasons to be Pretty 2.    Proof 3.    Mauritius 4.    Motherfucker with a Hat 5.    Spike Heels 6.    Three Sisters 7.    Waiting for Godot 8.    Two Noble Kinsmen 9.    Henry IV Part 2 10.  “All the Wasted Time” from Parade 11.  “I Believe” from Book of Mormon 12.  “Breathe” from In the Heights 13.  “Agony” from Into the Woods 14.  “Lesson #8” from Sunday in the Park with George 15.  “Move On” from Sunday in the Park with George         5  Acknowledgements  We would like to thank everyone who made this performance possible, including but not limited to:  Jeannie Lee, Jason Shipman, Shawn Irish, Les Wade, Kholoud Sawaf, Laura Shatkus, and Barbara Springer.  Thank you wonderful faculty members who helped us grow! Amy Herzberg, Kate Frank, Mavourneen Dwyer, Michael Landman, Bob Ford, Jeannie Lee, Gail Leftwich, Les Wade, Dr. Andy Gibbs, and Kris Stoker.  Also. Thank you to everyone in this wonderful department.  Family and Friends, Thank You!           6  WEBSITE www.kierancronin.com          7  HEADSHOT AND RESUME   Photo reprinted with permission from photographer, Debbie Baños.            8  Kieran Cronin          kierancroninactor@gmail.com www.kierancronin.com   Height: 6’4” Weight: 215 Eyes: Blue Hair: Brown   Professional Good People B Side Myself A Pioneer Tale Guys and Dolls Loony Tunage    Stevie Grimes Billy Beard William Jones Sky Masterson Assorted Cheeses   TheatreSquared TheatreSquared Lincoln Amp Kincaid Regional Kentucky S.O.    Amy Herzberg Sean PatrickReilly Ken Jones Bob Willenbrink feat. Rob Paulsen Educational As You Like It She Stoops… Company Blithe Spirit Anon(ymous) Cabaret Circle Mirror… To Kill… Much Ado… Bye, Bye Birdie Marfa, Texas…  Orlando Tony Lumpkin Bobby Charles Mackus/Strygal Max/Officer Shultz Atticus Finch Leonato Harry MacAfee Goody Farris  Univ. of Arkansas Univ. of Arkansas Univ. of Arkansas Univ. of Arkansas Univ. of Arkansas Univ. of Arkansas Univ. of Arkansas NKU NKU NKU NKU  Morgan Hicks Michael Landman Kate Frank Mav. Dwyer Kiara Pipino Kate Frank Michael Landman Daryl Harris Mike King Ken Jones Mary Jo Beresford Education University of Arkansas – MFA Acting – 2014 Northern Kentucky University – BFA Acting – 2011  Special Skills Dialects- Standard British, American Southern, Cockney, Irish Bell Kick Can make my head sound hollow Loud tongue click  Training Meisner – Amy Herzberg, Robert Ford Alexander Technique – Kate Frank Short Form Improv – Ken Jones Long Form Improv – Kris Stoker Stage Combat Unarmed – John Baca Vocal Training – Lisa Ericksen, Jamey Strawn, Echo Sibley  Workshops Moment Work – Moises Kaufman  Film Auditions – Elizabeth Barnes and Brandon Keener Winthrop Rockefeller Institute Film Forum – Joan Darling and Robert Walden Auditions – Craig Holzberg  9  WORKS CITED  Baños, Debbie. Actor Headshot. 2014. Fayetteville, Arkansas. Baños, Debbie. An Evening With Some Actors 9 May 2014: 1-4. Print.                      10  APPENDIX: Permission from Debbie Baños   

The Development of an Actor

UARK (University of Arkansas )

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville ScholarWorks@UARK Graduate Theses and Dissertations 8-2014 The Development of an Actor Kieran Peter Cronin University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd  Part of the Acting Commons Citation Cronin, K. P. (2014). The Development of an Actor. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/2159 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact scholar@uark.edu.                        The Development of an Actor                            The Development of an Actor    A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts in Drama    by    Kieran Peter Cronin Northern Kentucky University Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre - Acting, 2011   August 2014 University of Arkansas   This thesis is approved for recommendation to the Graduate Council.    __________________________________ Amy Herzberg, M.F.A.  Thesis Director     __________________________________  _____________________________ Kate Frank, M.F.A.     Mavourneen Dwyer, M.F.A. Committee Member     Committee Member      ABSTRACT  This thesis is an exploration and reflection of my growth and development as an actor after three years of studies at the University of Arkansas. It includes a statement of artistry, a copy of the program from my thesis performance, a link to my actor website, and a current headshot and resume.     ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Special thanks to:  - Amy Herzberg, for changing my life and work forever. - Michael Landman, for always pushing me further and never letting me settle. - Mavourneen Dwyer, for always expecting my best. - Kris Stoker, for showing me the poetic beauty of something only happening once. - Bob Ford, for reminding me that the joy of storytelling never has to end. - Missy, for staying (relatively) sane and helping me to do the same. - Debbie, for your inspirational growth as an artist and friend. - Kate Frank, for trusting me. - Barbara Springer, the beloved Drama Mama, for coffee, snacks, soda, and wise words. - Jeannie Lee, for your never-ending love of storytelling through music. - Ken Jones, for pushing me to pursue an MFA and for recognizing it is what I needed. - Colin, Caitie, and Liam, for being the greatest siblings anyone could ever have and for always keeping me grounded. - Lilly Belle, for being the best friend, lifesaver, and dog that a boy could ever have. - Stephanie, for always showing me the beauty in life, art, friendship, and love.    DEDICATION  This thesis is dedicated to: My incredible parents, Tim and Mary, who went through a whole lot to see me become who I am today.                  TABLE OF CONTENTS I. STATEMENT OF ARTISTRY ...................................................................... 1 II.  THESIS PERFORMANCE PROGRAM ........................ ............................. 2 III.  WEBSITE ................................................................................................. 6 IV.  HEADSHOT AND RESUME ............................................................................ 7 V. WORKS CITED ....................................................................................... 9 VI.  APPENDIX .............................................................................................. 10   1  STATEMENT OF ARTISTRY   I love telling stories. Luckily, in addition to my love of telling stories, I have been given a gift for telling them. As a result of having this gift, I feel it is my duty and pleasure to share stories with as many people as I can. I want to share stories that let people escape, stories that hold a mirror to society, and stories that no one will ever expect. To tell these stories effectively, I must be truthful and honest. At the University of Arkansas I learned that acting is “living truthfully under imaginary circumstances.” This definition is at the core of my approach to acting. By being truthful in every character I create, I am giving the audience every possible opportunity to connect to the action. If it is not truthful, the audience cannot connect. They merely observe. In some cases, this is the objective of art: to observe. This is not the type of art that I want to create. My goal will always be to expose the true nature of the human heart by telling a compelling and honest story so that the audience’s hearts might be moved as well.    2  THESIS PERFORMANCE PROGRAM                    3  An Evening with Actors     Actors  Debbie Baños   Is moving to Chicago in the Fall of ‘14. Kieran Cronin  Is moving to Los Angeles in the Spring of ‘15.   Missy Maramara   Is moving to the Manila, Philippines in the Summer  of ‘14.               This performance is in accordance with re-  quirements for graduation.          4  Program  1.   Reasons to be Pretty 2.    Proof 3.    Mauritius 4.    Motherfucker with a Hat 5.    Spike Heels 6.    Three Sisters 7.    Waiting for Godot 8.    Two Noble Kinsmen 9.    Henry IV Part 2 10.  “All the Wasted Time” from Parade 11.  “I Believe” from Book of Mormon 12.  “Breathe” from In the Heights 13.  “Agony” from Into the Woods 14.  “Lesson #8” from Sunday in the Park with George 15.  “Move On” from Sunday in the Park with George         5  Acknowledgements  We would like to thank everyone who made this performance possible, including but not limited to:  Jeannie Lee, Jason Shipman, Shawn Irish, Les Wade, Kholoud Sawaf, Laura Shatkus, and Barbara Springer.  Thank you wonderful faculty members who helped us grow! Amy Herzberg, Kate Frank, Mavourneen Dwyer, Michael Landman, Bob Ford, Jeannie Lee, Gail Leftwich, Les Wade, Dr. Andy Gibbs, and Kris Stoker.  Also. Thank you to everyone in this wonderful department.  Family and Friends, Thank You!           6  WEBSITE www.kierancronin.com          7  HEADSHOT AND RESUME   Photo reprinted with permission from photographer, Debbie Baños.            8  Kieran Cronin          kierancroninactor@gmail.com www.kierancronin.com   Height: 6’4” Weight: 215 Eyes: Blue Hair: Brown   Professional Good People B Side Myself A Pioneer Tale Guys and Dolls Loony Tunage    Stevie Grimes Billy Beard William Jones Sky Masterson Assorted Cheeses   TheatreSquared TheatreSquared Lincoln Amp Kincaid Regional Kentucky S.O.    Amy Herzberg Sean PatrickReilly Ken Jones Bob Willenbrink feat. Rob Paulsen Educational As You Like It She Stoops… Company Blithe Spirit Anon(ymous) Cabaret Circle Mirror… To Kill…  Much Ado… Bye, Bye Birdie Marfa, Texas…  Orlando Tony Lumpkin Bobby Charles Mackus/Strygal Max/Officer Shultz Atticus Finch Leonato Harry MacAfee Goody Farris  Univ. of Arkansas Univ. of Arkansas Univ. of Arkansas Univ. of Arkansas Univ. of Arkansas Univ. of Arkansas Univ. of Arkansas NKU NKU NKU NKU  Morgan Hicks Michael Landman Kate Frank Mav. Dwyer Kiara Pipino Kate Frank Michael Landman Daryl Harris Mike King Ken Jones Mary Jo Beresford Education University of Arkansas – MFA Acting – 2014 Northern Kentucky University – BFA Acting – 2011  Special Skills Dialects- Standard British, American Southern, Cockney, Irish Bell Kick Can make my head sound hollow Loud tongue click  Training  Meisner – Amy Herzberg, Robert Ford Alexander Technique – Kate Frank Short Form Improv – Ken Jones Long Form Improv – Kris Stoker Stage Combat Unarmed – John Baca Vocal Training – Lisa Ericksen, Jamey Strawn, Echo Sibley  Workshops Moment Work – Moises Kaufman  Film Auditions – Elizabeth Barnes and Brandon Keener Winthrop Rockefeller Institute Film Forum – Joan Darling and Robert Walden Auditions – Craig Holzberg  9  WORKS CITED  Baños, Debbie. Actor Headshot. 2014. Fayetteville, Arkansas. Baños, Debbie. An Evening With Some Actors 9 May 2014: 1-4. Print.                      10  APPENDIX: Permission from Debbie Baños   

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The Development of an Actor

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