A Cross-Cultural Exploration of Gender in Musial Theatre

open_access
Open Access
Author:
Kuroki, Ririka
Area of Honors:
Musical Theatre
Degree:
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Christine O'Grady Roberts, Thesis Supervisor
John Simpkins, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Musical Theatre
Japan
America
Gender
Japanese Musical Theatre
American Musical Theatre
Sex
Social Norms
Femininity
Masculinity
Abstract:
Gender is often understood as something natural, rather than something solely rooted in biological differences. It is only recently that the understanding of gender and sex as separate concepts has become widely accepted. Yet, theatrical performance reveals gender as something more constructed through repeated learning and practicing. Theatre functions not only as entertainment but also as a medium that reinforces social norms. This paper asks: “How do the gender systems embedded in Japanese and American musical theatre training and performance reinforce or challenge the dominant social norms of their respective societies?” This paper compares Japanese and American musical theatre by examining their history, training systems, and performance styles. It argues that Japanese musical theatre visually constructs gender through stylization and institutionalized role systems, while American musical theatre naturalizes gender through realism and emotional authenticity, thereby reinforcing dominant gender norms within their respective societies. This comparison highlights that musical theatre plays a significant role in shaping perceptions of gender, revealing it as a culturally produced system. As someone who has trained in and witnessed both Japanese and American musical theatre, this study will provide insight into how these gender systems are constructed on stage and embodied through training and performance.