Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

This thesis examines Musical Theatre’s soprano characterization through intersectional feminist analysis and interdisciplinary research. The soprano’s reputation for purity, naivety, and romance is bound to patriarchal gender stereotypes that continue to force the style to the sidelines of the industry. Meanwhile, the Musical Theatre canon has continued to favor belt and pop/rock driven vocal styles that align with current cultural perceptions of strength and power. Drawing research from the social sciences and humanities, in this paper, I examine how patriarchal and racial social structures have impacted the way our culture defines a powerful voice, and what this implies about how sopranos are written and perceived. For the creative portion of my thesis, I have analyzed six soprano roles from the Musical Theatre canon and performed one corresponding song for each character. In doing this, I ultimately argue that to reclaim soprano characters, we must validate feminine-coded artistic expression, create three dimensional and distinctive characters, and diversify soprano casting. Finally, I assert that the soprano voice is not a historical artifact, but an opportunity to reimagine gendered expression and artistic empowerment.

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