Abstract

This thesis argues that emotions and memories in a community are essential to shaping a common future. Furthermore, when performed on stage, these memories and emotions create a utopian experience that moves performers and audience members towards a brighter future. The foundation for this thesis is built upon the ideas of utopian performative theories combined with the Asian Ganzhi belief that every sixty years a new cycle of hope begins. This thesis also includes a practical work. I was invited to write and direct a cultural production for the 60th year anniversary celebration of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Taiwan. The practical experience of creating this production and the utopian theories and Ganzhi beliefs interacted throughout the process of creating the production and writing this thesis. These utopian and Ganzhi ideas influenced the production and the production tested the theories. Historical memories of one generation performed by and to the next generation is a way for a community to shape a brighter future together. The performance of the 60th year anniversary celebration was based on the re-creation, restoration and emotional connection of the members of the performing group to the personal historical memories of the previous generation. When the Taiwanese LDS members prepared, rehearsed and performed their cultural celebration in October of 2016, the production shaped a common, brighter future.

Degree

College and Department

Fine Arts and Communications; Theatre and Media Arts

Rights

http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/