Lycoming College Students Explore the World of Professional Wrestling in Unique First-Year Seminar
“Theatre Professional Wrestling” dives deep into the history, performance, and cultural impact of this captivating art form.
Lycoming College is offering a unique first-year seminar that explores the captivating world of professional wrestling, blending athleticism, theatricality, and storytelling. Led by Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre Matt Ripa, “Theatre Professional Wrestling” delves into the rich history and cultural significance of this often misunderstood performance art.
The course examines wrestling’s evolution from its roots in circus, vaudeville, and wild west shows to its modern incarnation as sports entertainment. Students learn about acting, stage combat, character development, and scriptwriting, applying these concepts to the world of wrestling.
“It has been said that ‘wrestling is Shakespeare for the masses’,”
– Matt Ripa, Lycoming College Professor
says Ripa, highlighting the dramatic narratives, compelling characters, and thrilling action that define the art form.
To enhance their understanding, students attended a live taping of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) Dynamite and Rampage, experiencing the spectacle and energy of a major wrestling event firsthand. They also engaged with a professional wrestling costume designer from both AEW and WWE via Zoom, gaining insights into the creative process behind the wrestlers’ personas.
The seminar tackles important topics like gender and race representation in wrestling, and students even analyze wrestling matches as scripts, culminating in the creation of their own wrestling personas and matches.
Al’jaleel Lambert ’28, a history major enrolled in the course, shared his enthusiasm:
“All my life I’ve been a huge fan of professional wrestling… What interests me about the class is getting to look behind the curtain and discussing all the work and care that goes into the acting and the character work.”
– Al’jaleel Lambert, Student
Film major Alyse Buchert added:
“My favorite part of this course was when we created our own wrestling personas. Being someone who wants to make movies, I got deep into the character writing.”
– Alyse Buchert, Student
“Theatre Professional Wrestling” is just one of many engaging first-year seminars offered at Lycoming College. These seminars are designed to foster critical thinking, enhance communication skills, and encourage exploration of diverse subjects. By offering unique courses like this, Lycoming College provides students with an enriching and well-rounded educational experience.
What are your thoughts on this unique approach to studying professional wrestling? Share your reactions and memories of your favorite wrestling moments in the comments below or by reposting this article on social media!
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