The Development of Yiddish Theatre in Czarist Russia : A Study of the Interaction between Majority and Minority Cultures
Date of Graduation
Summer 2006
Degree
Master of Arts in Theatre
Department
Theatre and Dance
Committee Chair
Christopher Herr
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis is to study the development of Yiddish theatre within the context of the czarist government of Russia in the nineteenth century. It is the study of how theatre emerged from a minority culture and the effect the theatre had both on the minority and majority cultures. Prior to the emergence of Yiddish theatre within the Russo-Jewish community, a number of the anti-theatrical prejudices had to be overcome. This thesis traces the roots of professional Yiddish theatre beginning with Purim Plays and Broder Singers. It also traces the history of anti-Semitism found within czarist Russia. I theorize that before a professional theatre tradition can be established in minority culture, there must be a permissive environment within the majority culture. Therefore, this thesis investigates Yiddish theatre's need for support from the Jewish community and the historically anti-Semitic czarist government.
Keywords
Yiddish, theatre, Russia, Jewish, czar
Subject Categories
Theatre and Performance Studies
Copyright
© Catherine I. Bradley
Recommended Citation
Bradley, Catherine I., "The Development of Yiddish Theatre in Czarist Russia : A Study of the Interaction between Majority and Minority Cultures" (2006). MSU Graduate Theses/Dissertations. 2608.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/2608
Dissertation/Thesis
