Date

4-7-2026

Department

College of Arts and Sciences

Degree

Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA)

Chair

Durrell Nelson

Keywords

screenplay, Hades and Persephone, Beauty and the Beast, Tam Lin, Jane Eyre, underworld, redemption, Greek myths, mythology, fairy tales, Westerns

Disciplines

Creative Writing | Film and Media Studies

Abstract

This essay serves as an artist’s statement for Alexis Johnson, outlining her journey as a storyteller and the development of her MFA thesis work, focusing on her feature film screenplay, Destination. Johnson details her lifelong connection to Arizona and the desire to propose storytelling on film that moves outside the stereotypical standard the state is known for. Through Destination, she aims to expand the Western genre by weaving in elements of magic and imagination, showcasing Arizona as a place rich in narrative potential. The screenplay explores themes of death, identity, and transformation. She reflects on how her life’s challenges have enriched her artistic vision and fueled her commitment to creating meaningful stories that draw inspiration from beloved classical literature and shape it into new forms for contemporary audiences.

This essay explores the fusion of Greek mythology and fairy tales beyond their traditional genres and how classical literary elements can enrich modern storytelling. Centering on the theme of “bringing darkness to light,” it examines the narratives of Hades and Persephone, the Ballad of Tam Lin, Beauty and the Beast, and Jane Eyre, uniting their shared motifs of transformation, power dynamics, and redemption. These works inspired a new story called Destination, which weaves their retellings into a Gothic Western setting and demonstrates that, through genre blending, timeless narratives can be reimagined for modern audiences. The essay also reflects the author’s investment in the overall revival of classical literature.

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