Mari Tomkins Tomkins

Mari is a graduating senior at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, majoring in Performance Studies with minors in Dramatic Literature and Public Policy. In and out of school, Mari has worked on theatrical productions, serving as Assistant Director on Fall 2023 Equity production of Twisted and Fall 2023 Equity reading of Cracked Open to name a couple. After graduating, she will continue to pursue a career in the theater, specifically as a theater director.

Title of Capstone Project:

A Beyond Doing of Gender: Extra-Performativity in the Ancient Greek Theatre Practice as it Relates to Modern Day Conceptions of Gender

Description of Project:

My capstone is investigation into how we understand the classical Greek theatre tradition and its relationship to our current conceptions of gender. How did gendered masks and costumes on only male bodied performers two millennia ago help constitute the Western concept of gender? How can our understanding of this ancient practice contribute to our dismantling of norms and conceptions? Through performing gender beyond what is necessary to perceive gender (e.g. extra-performing of masks and costumes), we are able to reconstitute what it means to be and to exist in one's gender.

What Inspired Your Project? 

I love Greek theatre and PS introduced me to a way of looking at art and the world that has enriched my entire world view. Figuring I could combine both of those things, I homed in on this project from a class I took with Misty de Berry and expanded it for my capstone.