Theater Essays (Examples)

Theater of the Opressed History of Theatre

Theater of the Opressed

History of Theatre of the Oppressed: Critique of the Community Theatre as a Means of Empowerment in Social Work: A Case Study of Women's Community Theatre

Similar to institutional and professional theatre, community theatre uses a combination of mime, ritual dance, song and drama as a means of communicating messages, knowledge and ideology to the audience (Mulenga, 1993). Nonetheless, community theatre does not purport traditional theatrical components and professional stage production. Rather, this kind of theatre reportedly takes inspiration from the community's life story (Erven, 2001; Mda, 1993; Miller, 1979). In this way, common communal issues are brought to the forefront bringing those who participate as actors or audience members into the "socio-political arena" (Boehm & Boehm, 2003).

Critique

In Boehm and Boehm's 1993 article, "Community Theatre as a Means of Empowerment in Social Work: A Case Study of Women's Community Theatre," the authors posit the…… [Read More]

Theater of Dionysus

Theatre of Dionysus: Athens, Greece

General history about the theater itself and the history of theater in Greece

The evolution of theater in Greece, and therefore, theater's evolution as an art form over the course of early Western history, may be directly linked to the festivals of Dionysus of the land. Dionysus was the Grecian god of wine and misrule. Over the course of performances of tragedy and comedy written and designed to honor this God, all of Athens essentially shut down to observe the literary performed works of its greatest dramatists and judge them in competition, as well as the ribald satyr plays designed for the populace's enjoyment. Much of the history of the earliest period of Greek drama has been lost. But the earliest theater probably took place in the Athenian marketplace or agora. Eventually this became fixated as a site on the southeast slope of the Acropolis.…… [Read More]

Theater Dimly Lit Prison Kitchen It Is

Theater

Dimly lit prison kitchen. It is after hours, and only a skeleton crew is on hand: RAY and ANGELA. They are inside the kitchen, but the spotlight is on TOM and GARY, who sit across from each other in the dining room just outside.

Characters

TOM: Inmate at Phoenix Prison Complex, serving a life sentence for murder.

GARY: Inmate at Phoenix Prison Complex, serving 15 years for assault and battery.

ANGELA: Kitchen worker, 30-year-old female

RAY: Corrections officer, 28-year-old male

Scene 1: Pizza Night

TOM: Tonight's the night.

GARY: Tonight?

TOM: Tonight. You remember what we talked about, right?

GARY: Right.

TOM: What do you mean, "right"? Well? What did I tell you?

GARY: We wait until 2AM.

TOM: Well what time is it, genius?

GARY (looking at a watch that doesn't exist, as his wrists are bare): I don't know.

TOM (exasperated): What time do you get off…… [Read More]

Theater History What Better Way

William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe and Moliere, brought us so many masterpieces not only valuable as works of art, but also as very important sources of understanding the society in the Renaissance. More important, when reading or wathching these plays, we can understand today the universality of Man.

We are not allowed to forget the Asian theater which bears the stamp of the philosophical and religious ideas and beliefs of the times when it was created.

Up to the 20th century, theater continued to play an important role in every society around the world.

Stages and performers and costumes have constantly changed in theater during the ages, but its role in educating people hasn't. It is one of the best ways be make children understand the "surroundings" worldwide, the best way to entertain them, but also the best way to make the very young start asking questions about civilizations and cultures…… [Read More]

Theater in the Elizabethan Age

Elizabethan Theater

Theater in the Elizabethan Age

The Elizabethan period in England was dominated by intrigue at court (which was a constant) and the willpower of Elizabeth herself, but the various people formed a strata that looked more similar to today than most would guess. Throughout recent history, going back a thousand years or so, society is simplistically divided into three groups: wealthy, merchants/artisans, poor. These three can be further delineated, but for these purposes it is not necessary. During Elizabethan times, leisure became more common for the two lower classes and there was more for everybody to do that was meant for pleasure rather than work. Researchers into the period agree that the theater was a major source of entertainment for all of the different groups, but they do not agree how that was structured. This paper will look at the different classes of Elizabethan theater goers and try…… [Read More]

Theater Order Variety Fortunate Today Because Shakespeare

theater order variety fortunate today. Because Shakespeare the Globe Theater great

It was quite an experience to watch Shakespeare's Globe Theater Production of Othello in 2007. There are quite a few elements of Shakespeare, and of dramatic works in general, that take on different connotations when they are acted out and presented to the public vs. simply being read. These connotations had both positive and negative effects for both of the media in which a play may be absorbed, either by watching it in person or by reading it. As such, they certainly contributed to a unique viewing of Othello.

One of the several aspects of a dramatic work that is enhanced by watching a play is humor. The laughter of the audience, indeed, the audience's very participation in the Globe Theater's 2007 production of Othello, helped to heighten the viewing experience. Whereas in reading a play one merely laughs…… [Read More]

Theater Performance

Phantom of the Opera" -- Recent theater performance

What is all the fuss about? For many years, ever since this reviewer was a child, stories have been spun about the wonders of this tale, of Erik, the lonely and murderous phantom of the Paris Opera tunnels, who falls in love with a lovely orphaned ballet dancer and soprano, named Christine. He mentors her in her music through the mirror of her dressing room until she falls in love with a man named Raul. Erik, the phantom, tries to steal her away forever, but only after Christine takes the starring role in the opera he has been writing for the stage for many years. At the end of the play, he allows Christine to live her own life and leaves the theater.

Since this play has been running for so long, much of the cast's chorus is seasoned, and all of…… [Read More]

Theater Review of Clybourne Park

Clybourne Park

Most theatergoers are familiar with the poem by African-American writer Langston Hughes, which asks "What happens to a dream deferred?" One of the possibilities offered in Hughes's poem is "Does it dry up / like a raisin in the sun?" This gives the title to Lorraine Hansberry's legendary 1959 drama A Raisin in the Sun, about the attempts of an African-American family to purchase a house in a largely-white suburb. Bruce Norris's 2011 Pulitzer Prize winning play Clybourne Park is, in many ways, a contemporary rewrite of Hansberry's play -- but it seems to explore the possibility that Langston Hughes hinted at in the last line of his poem: "What happens to a dream deferred? / Does it explode?" Certainly Grant Mudge's production of Clybourne Park, now running at Notre Dame University, is an explosive event -- the fireworks fly onstage in the lively impassioned performances by the…… [Read More]

Roman Theater

Theatre in Antiquity:

The Romans and the Greeks in a Quest for Entertainment

Entertainment in antiquity was often found at a theater, in the form of a play. Due to the efforts of the Romans and the Greeks in this particular area, we have a rich dramatic culture today. However, as mentioned in the paper, there are basic differences between Roman and Greek theaters. Though both provided forms of entertainment, they did so in different ways. The Roman Theater was often used to prove prowess and authority. Though it included some dramatic plays, this theater, which was in the form of a structure such as the Coliseum, with arches and seating for thousands of people, was often utilized for non-entertainment purposes, such as punishments, combat and executions. This was, again, due to the fact that the Roman society was very hierarchical, and Romans utilized a lot of propaganda to keep…… [Read More]

Philadelphia Dance Theater it Is

(Philadelphia Theater Company)

This year, the magic and the splendor of the Holiday Season would be welcomed by the Philadelphia Dance Theater, which would perform with a hundred artistes, the ever popular holiday season play, the 'Nutcracker'. It must be noted that the very first Nutcracker Ballet performance was given in the year 1892, and it is the story of a young and lonely orphaned German girl named Laura, who dreams of a Nutcracker Prince. This particular production by the Philadelphia Dance Theater Company was choreographed by the 'Artistic Director', Joy Delaney-Capponi, and a very important feature of the play is the profusion of lavish Victorian hand made costumes that the actors on stage wear during their renditions. (100 dancers to welcome the Holiday Season November 12 when The Nutcracker comes to Horsham stage)

One costume in particular is certainly eye catching, and this is the eight feet by ten…… [Read More]

Twentieth Century Theater the Group

The theater of the 1930s often saw strategies that wanted to expose the tragedy of American life at the time, but did not want to keep the audience in a state of depression, because after all, that was their everyday experience. As such, many theater productions began implementing multi-faceted strategies which included the combination of several genres in order to provide a flexibility that would both sadden and humor. Here, the research suggests that these plays prompt "us at one moment to objectivity and laughter and at the next moment to empathy and profound sad feeling; or in which the clauses are written to multiply, on top of one another and having an equal or near-equal weight, producing that suspenseful, odd, grotesque response of neither happy-nor-sad, a twist, a painful wringing" (Fearnow 52). The productions of the Mercury Theater definitely embodied that style, as Orson Welles often included in his…… [Read More]

Movie Theater as a Popular

Perhaps there is something deeper to Twilight than anyone is willing to admit. So, then, we must ask ourselves: What are these films about? Is there not something revealing even about the reflections seen in popular culture? Cannot pop culture, therefore, be considered part of high culture? Must it be discarded simply because it is popular? I don't think that it must. And yet there is something distinctly different about the Tree of Life that Twilight simply does not have. One might call it vision or purpose. Perhaps this is the difference between high culture and popular culture. Needless to say, however, at a cinema one may often choose either/or.

Still, Umberto Eco states that "according to traditional standards in aesthetics, Casablanca is not a work of art, if such an expression still has meaning" (Eco 197). This is an interesting observation by Eco for a number of reasons. First,…… [Read More]

Live Theater's Financial Struggles Live Theater Is

Live Theater's Financial Struggles

Live theater is one of the most enduring art forms. In older times, traveling troops performed at different locations, providing one of the more consistent forms of entertainment through much of history. Eventually, cities and larger towns began building buildings that were devoted to players, and theater became a common form of entertainment. However, as movies became popular, the theater began to lose its common appeal. This decline has continued as electronic entertainment has grown more popular. However, in addition to facing competition from other forms of entertainment, the theater is very vulnerable to changes in the economy. As a result, many live theaters seem to perpetually struggle with their finances. This has even led to speculation that, outside of the Broadway context, live theater is destined to fail. While that hopefully is not true, it is certain that live theaters are struggling.

In September 2010,…… [Read More]

Globe Theater

Globe Theater is the place where most of William Shakespeare's major works including his famous four tragedies were first staged. This fact alone makes it a fascinating subject for students of literature and history to explore. Although the original building was destroyed in the mid-seventeenth century, a new "Globe Theater" has been built near the site of the old theater in London. The building replicates many of the original features of Shakespeare's Globe Theater and still stages some of the bard's plays to give the modern theater going audience the original 'flavor' of the bard's masterpieces. This paper traces the history of the Globe Theater, describes the original building's main features, and covers the recent re-building of the new Globe in the vicinity of the old theater.

Origins

Cuthberg Burbage, an associate of Shakespeare and brother of the most famous Shakespearean actor of the time, Richard Burbage had inherited a…… [Read More]

Global Theater History as Education

In the Hollywood Pictures Backlot one can take part in an "I want to be in pictures" moment. The Disney Animation attraction provides an insider's view exhibiting the number of Disney's animated movies and characters were created. The Hyperion theatre hosts Aladdin -A Musical Spectacular that is a 45-minute live performance with brilliant visual effects for which one has to wait for nearly an hour. The latest attraction of the park is the Tower of Terror after a 1930s hotel which was shown in The Twillight Zone. The most frightening part of this attraction is the service elevator ride which transports one from the basement of the Hollywood Tower Hotel to the 13th Floor and returns back once again at speeds where people scream loudly. (Sights and Activities: Disney's California Adventure)

Bug's Land, which comes inspired from the film A Bug's Life shows an insect's point-of-view. At the Princess Dot…… [Read More]

Overview of Japanese Kabuki Theater

Japanese Kabuki Theater

Japan's classical theater comprises four major forms i.e. noh, kyogen, bunraku puppet theater, and Kabuki. Japanese Kabuki Theater emerged during the Edo period, which was a period of more than 250 years of peace i.e. between 1600 and 1868. The theater is a reflection of the merchant culture that characterized the Edo period as reflected in its magnificent costumes and scenery. Moreover, the influence of this era on Kabuki is reflected in its plays that comprise larger-than-life heroes and common people attempting to reconcile their individual desires with social obligations. As compared to the other forms of Japanese classical theaters, Kabuki continues to be very popular in the modern Japanese society. Consequently, Kabuki regularly plays to enthusiastic audiences in different theaters such as Osaka's Shochikuza, Kyoto's Minamiza, and Tokyo's Kabukiza. Therefore, this form of Japanese classical theater is regarded as a vibrant and exciting traditional theater in…… [Read More]

Exhibition of Polish Theater Poster

modern art through concepts normally associated with media is a relatively new one. Yet, the dimensions of the context associated with the birds eye view of a culture as viewed through the advertisement for fine art exhibition is a substantially modern and fascinating message. The current exhibition at the IVC gallery of Polish theater posters is demonstrative of a successful representation of the rebirth of an artistic expression. Even in the case that the work itself, the theatrical production, may or may not have been successful the advertisement for it can be seen as an independent work of its own.

The success of Polish poster art had strong artistic foundations and was not only due to the advantageous social conditions. The graphic artists who established the Polish poster school were first and foremost excellent artists. (IVC Gallery Website)

The demonstrative work associated with Polish Poster art created a social movement…… [Read More]

Demand and Supply of Home Theater Furniture

Demand and Supply of Home Theater Furniture

Demand and supply are the core concepts of economics and these are what determine the price of any given item. When demand of a certain item increases, it is usually followed by a corresponding increase in supply. And thus the price is affected. However there are times when demand increases more sharply than supply and this causes price to move up. In any case, price is directly dependent on supply and demand trends of a commodity. In this paper, we shall focus on demand of home theater furniture which has sharply gone up in last few years, thanks to home theater systems that promise to provide quality cinema experience at home. William L. Hamilton, 'Coming to a Living Room near You' (2003) focuses on the rising demand for home theater furniture: "The $23-billion-a-year furniture industry is in a state of high excitement over…… [Read More]

Theatre Today

Theatre Today & Theatre for Me

Theatre, as a genre of creative expression, is still very much valid in the 21st century. It originated thousands of years ago, and still draws crowds in the 21st century around the world. Many of the classic plays of many cultures are still performed, as well as adaptations of other forms (such as films, songs, etc.) are transformed into plays that interest and captivate audiences. Of the plays we read in the course this term, I was able to find value in all of them, but I did not personally enjoy all of the plays.

Theatre today is sometimes based on historical events and figures, as well as new takes on old ideas in modern forms. Many plays are period pieces, and in many cities, such as New York City and London, there is a proliferation of one-person plays (one man show, or a…… [Read More]

Theatre - An Art and

Most of Fugard's plays stand as a proof of reality reflected in theatre as an art of real life. Athol Fugard's play My Children! My Africa reflects a cruel reality of his times: South Africa's dehumanizing system of apartheid laws that denied freedom to blacks. Worried that his country would never live in peace, Fugard wrote the play in hopes that the polarization between blacks and whites would end and world will know peace, freedom and understanding between each other. The play is based on a true incident and gives good insights into the situation in South Africa.

My Children, My Africa" is inspired by real events and describes a teacher's attempt (Mr. M) to bring understanding between two of his students: one is a middle class white girl - Isabel - and the other one is a brilliant black boy - Thami - who grew up in Coketown ghetto.…… [Read More]

Theatre Women in Sitcoms the

Towards the end of the play, after Argan finds out about the intentions of his wife and those of his daughter, he agrees for Angelique to marry Cleante, the man she really loves, as long as he agrees to become a doctor. Argan's brother has an even better idea by proposing that Argan be made a doctor himself. To this end, he calls some gypies that perform dances and rituals that make Argan a doctor. According to some versions of the play, during these manifestations, the patient suffers from a heart attack and dies.

"The imaginary invalid" is a highly intriguing play, of recurrent notoriety and secular popularity due to the multitude of themes approached. Some of the more popular of these themes include the greed of the principal character, the rivalry between the daughters and the step mother or the pursuit of financial gains.

Greed is one important element…… [Read More]

Theatre English-Speaking Versions of Hamlet vs European

Theatre:

English-speaking versions of Hamlet vs. European versions

The many contemporary interpretations of Shakespeare enacted on the modern stage underline the fact that Shakespeare was a playwright for the ages, not simply a man of his own time. However, in the ways in which Shakespeare has been adapted to modernity, it becomes apparent that modern directors are just as intent upon revealing their own personal preoccupations as well as revealing the nuances of Shakespeare's plays. This can be seen when comparing British interpretations with European and other non-English language stagings of Hamlet. Although the most obvious difference between these two categories is that British interpretations are in the original language of Shakespeare while European stagings are enacted in translation, the difference runs far deeper. English productions tend to emphasize the psychological, internal conflict of Hamlet and view the play in terms of its psychological drama. In contrast, European interpretations of…… [Read More]

Theatre Art

Shape of Things:

Theatrical Convention from Class: Suspension of Disbelief -- the audience is made to believe that a man or any person for that matter could become so obsessed with a single person that they are willing to completely change themselves, including having plastic surgery and destroying their interpersonal relationships for a person whose only appeal to them is a sexual one.

Potential Convention: Given the subject matter of the play and the heightened emotions the ending portrays at least on the part of one character that I would try to have the actors deliver their dialogue and their attitudes as realistically as possible.

In the Blood:

Theatrical Convention from Class: Pathos -- the audience is meant to feel sympathy for the main character of this play and to understand her sense of desperation and her inability to find a way to preserve herself and her sense of dignity…… [Read More]

Theatre Art

Blood by Suzan-Lori Sparks expands on the main theme of society's unfair disregard for its people of low condition in general, for women, and for adulterers. Hester La Negrita, the protagonist, is an African-American woman who struggles to survive in poverty along with her five base-born children. The family's outcast status is portrayed as a direct inducer and accelerator of emotional suffering, poverty, lack of education, and sexual exploitation.

(A) From a structural perspective, In the Blood is constructed in two acts and nine scenes, employing a linear plotline (Rush, 2005). In this sense, the play debuts with the equilibrium of Hester striving to provide for her children in meager conditions, the inciting incident represented by the suggestion to seek help from the available former lovers and fathers of her children, the major dramatic question of whether or not she will attain it, the developing action as Hester approaches Reverend…… [Read More]

Roman Theatre History Theatre Has

Their plays were similar to the Greeks and many of them were just translated versions. Theatre was an instrument used by the administration to keep the public from devoting much time to the political affairs. Thus any mentioning on stage regarding the political situation or activities would have serious consequences for the author for writing it and the actor for agreeing to perform it. In addition it also served as a purpose to get away from everyday life and worries. It was a part of their life and civilization. As time passed by the theatre evolved but women were not allowed to take part in it for a very long time. With the establishment of churches and the influence of popes, women faced yet another problem in getting accepted as being part of the society. Roman theatre was a major influence on the later European theatre and they learnt much…… [Read More]

English French Theatre Similarities and

The machines were used to create vertical and horizontal movements which had not been done before. In other words, a god could be pictured using the machine as floating down onto the stage, or boats moving across it. Night or dawn could appear, or ghosts (Lawrenson 92). Most of these machine-plays were produced at the Theatre du Marais. There is a difference here, too. The French machine plays reached the public, whereas the English masques of the early century were performed mainly for royalty. Certainly the stage sets for court ballets and opera were more elaborate and special than the public designs since they were subsidized by the royal coffers.

Both English and French theatre took over the new Italian techniques for changing scenery. The French theatre abandoned triangular prisms used in conjunction with painted backdrops. At the beginning, these were painted simultaneously and dropped over or pulled back to…… [Read More]

Influence of Stanislavsky Outside Theatre

Stanislavsky

Constantin Stanislavsky is the father of modern acting theory. His theories which he extols in his four books, My Life in Art (1924), An Actor Prepares (1936), Building a Character (1941), and Creating a Role (1961) have had an unparalleled effect on actors and acting instructors throughout the world. Acting theorists such as Vsevelod Meyerhold, Uta Hagen, and Bertold Brecht have all taken his theories into account while developing their own. Indeed, entire movements in world drama have been in part inspired by the work of Stanislavsky.

But what of his influence on Russia? During Stanislavsky's life and his career Russia went through many changes. Two major events in Russian history would determine the fate of theatre and as a result Stanislavsky. The first was the failed revolution in 1905. "The great rehearsal," Lenin called it and that's exactly what it was. The second major event was the 1917…… [Read More]

Subscriber Importance to a Live Theatre Venue

Subscriber Importance to a Live Theatre Venue

The Importance of Subscribers to a Live Theater Venue

Live theater is far different from movies and other types of venues. Unfortunately, people often do not realize that, and they take live venues for granted. When they do not see the differences or realize how live theater productions work, they do not realize the value of supporting these kinds of venues through subscriptions or sustaining memberships (Vogel, 1998). Becoming a sustaining member of a live theater venue is one of the best ways in which people who love the theater and want to support performing arts can do so, and has been for some time (American, 1966). The same is true of subscriptions, whereby people get newsletters, tickets, and other information - often in advance and at a discount compared to non-subscribers. While it may not seem significant, these types of helping hands…… [Read More]

Are Theatre Nurses Equipped With the Skills Required to Perform Pre-Operative Visits

Theatre Nurses Equipped With the Skills Required to Perform Pre-Operative Visits

To Perform Pre-Operative Visits?

Are Theatre Nurses Equipped With the Skills Required

To Perform Pre-Operative Visits?

Dissemination

Are Theatre Nurses Equipped With the Skills Required

To Perform Pre-Operative Visits?

Pre-operative assessment is part of the ER process that many medical professionals believe can be accomplished on the part of nurses in the unit.. The objective listed for pre-operative assessment is that special requirements for the surgery as well as the peri-operative stay should include identification and coordination of all essential resources, should inform the patients and prepare them to proceed and to ensure the patient's fitness for the procedure(s) scheduled. . The nursing team clinically examines as well as assessing all emergency patients before surgery to ensure the fitness of patients to the greatest possible extent. Strategies include, "redistributing cases from emergency to elective theatre schedules, day case emergency…… [Read More]

Readers' Theatre

Theater

Over the last several years, there has been a continuing emphasis on finding ways to improve the total amounts of learning comprehension in reading. Part of the reason for this, is because the achievement scores in these areas have been consistently declining. A good example of this can be seen with a study that was conducted by the National Endowment for the Arts. They found that the total number of Americans who are reading on daily basis has declined by 14% in over 20 years. ("National Endowment for the Arts," 2007) The reason why, is because the advancements in technology and availability of different products (i.e. video games and other forms of entertainment) have created a change the kinds of activities they are involved in. Over the course of time, this has caused most children to read less.

To address these issues and help to improve these numbers, a…… [Read More]

Senator Theater Dating Back to

There is also a beautiful large chandelier in the lobby of the theater.

Another significant aspect of the theater is the tower, which was removed in the 1990s because it was leaning to one side. However, it was restored and has been replaced on the theater. Architect Timothy Pflueger, a renowned architect in the San Francisco Bay Area who designed many other impressive theaters, including the Castro Theater in San Francisco, the Paramount Theater in Oakland, and the Alameda Theater in Alameda, designed the original building. He also designed several significant downtown San Francisco buildings, including the Pacific Coast Stock Exchange, and the Pacific Bell Building (now at&T). He also consulted on the Oakland-Bay Bridge Project. Because he is such a significant architect, his work should be renovated and remembered, just as it is with…… [Read More]

AMC Theaters' Wheel Chair Accessibility

" Highlights of the checklist include:

minimum of one percent of seating must constitute wheelchair seating locations.

Individuals in wheelchairs cannot be isolated from other people. Seating accessible for wheelchairs has to be integrated into business' seating plan.

Every wheelchair seating location must have a companion seat located next to it.

Specialty areas, including sky boxes, must also provide wheelchair seating locations.

To help insure facility does not lose revenue, folding or removable seats can be utilized by individuals not confined to wheelchairs.

More than one wheelchair accessible seating location must be provided when more than 300 seats are provided in a facility.

Admission prices for wheelchair seating (also views) must be comparable general public's admission prices and views.

Locations allocated for wheelchair seating must be on an accessible route providing access and connecting from public parking and transportation areas.

Lines of sight and view for wheelchair seating locations must…… [Read More]

Hamlet A Theatre Review in

Dane Johnston gave a stunning performance in the title role of the play. In fitting with the modern interpretation of the classic, Johnston's rendering of Hamlet is akin to the "emo" youth subculture - just as Ophelia is meant to conform to the "gothic" subculture. At the same time, Johnston delivered Hamlet's numerous long monologues with sophistication and ease, proving to the audience that you do not have to fake a British accent in order to accurately capture the Shakespearean essence of the role.

Hamlet's best friends, Horatio (Kit Fugard) and Marcella (Vanessa Downs), were also portrayed as "scene kids," but obviously of an artistic and intelligent nature. Angela Donor's interpretation of Ophelia tended to be a bit melodramatic at some points during the play; at the same time, it can be said that such over-acting may be necessary, as it is part of Ophelia's true nature.

Overall, the technical…… [Read More]

Creative Theatre Writing Dramatic Dialogue

How long has this been going on?

Johnny: Now Vena, nothing's going on. Rochelle just happened to be with me when I went in to Safeway's.

Vena: (voice rising) "Happened" to be with you? It hasn't even been a full year, and already you've moved on to my family members. Is this what you meant by when you said you wanted to see other people? My family? Who's next, my mom!

Johnny: Please, Vena, don't start again. Remember, this is the whole reason why we broke up in the first place. I was going to be graduating, we wouldn't be able to spend as much time together, and you knew you would get jealous.

Vena: But with my cousin? And in my hometown? Didn't you care about me at all; didn't I mean anything to you?

Johnny: (soothingly): Really, I think you're jumping to conclusions. Rochelle wasn't hanging all over…… [Read More]

Olympia Theater -- or El

It has also been very popular both with musical performers and their audiences throughout its history; artists as diverse as Elvis Presley and Luciano Pavarotti have performed on the Olympia's stage, and MTV continues to host events and concerts there on occasion.

Despite its popularity, however, the Olympia has faced some difficult times. In 1975, the theatre was scheduled for demolition, but was purchased by businessman Maurice Gusman and donated to the city along with the historic Olympia Office Building next to it. The entire complex was renamed in Gusman's honor, and earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The theatre is still not entirely safe from the clutches of time, however, and careful restoration work on the aging building is a constant and painstaking process -- but well worth the effort to preserve…… [Read More]

Renting vs Theatre as the Price of

Renting vs. Theatre

As the price of a movie ticket rises, movie-watching often becomes a question of: "Is it a renter?" The questions of what makes a movie "a renter" may be only an expression of the viewer's opinion that the quality of the movie does not warrant the price of a movie ticket. Assuming that it is generally more expensive to go to the show than to watch a movie on VHS or DVD, and assuming that most people would rather spend less money than more, when a person says that a movie is "a renter," he or she is saying that the theater experience would not enhance the movie enough to make the extra cost worthwhile; however, the measure of the value of the theater experience is purely subjective, depending entirely on the viewer's move-watching preferences.

There are key differences between the movie theater experience and the experience…… [Read More]

Experimental Theater Trends in Globalism

To uncover these commonalities, my thesis will focus on three of the most influential forms of alternative theatre: Grotowski's Poor Theatre, Joseph Chaikin's Open Theatre, and Richard Schechner's New Theatre. These three alternative approaches represent a dramatic departure from conventional theater, using techniques that have as their central goal the development of intimate interaction between the audience and the actors. The central technique for this is to remove barriers and social conventions / traditions that typify traditional productions.

To adequately establish the social role that alternative theatre uses in constructing a performance, I will use a comparative study of these three alternative forms of theatre.

Since Grotowski had the most significant influence on the development of nonconventional theatre, I will begin by examining the actor-audience relationship in three contexts: psycho-physical, psycho-analytic language and the physical arrangement methods used to stage performances with the Polish Lab Theatre.

These three elements will…… [Read More]

Movies at Home and Theaters

Home Movies Beat Theater Ones

It is quite a different experience to view a movie at home versus viewing it in a movie theater. Furthermore, there are positives and negatives associated with each of these viewing experiences. Nonetheless, an analysis of the benefits and drawbacks associated with each of these experiences, reveals that the more enjoyable experience lies in watching a movie at home.

Virtually the only advantage that watching a movie in a theater has over doing so at home pertains to the special effects. Theaters are equipped with a host of state of the art audio visual experiences to provide enhanced viewing experiences that are difficult to match in domestic settings. When one considers the 3D capabilities of movie theaters that can "provide an experience never before experienced in a theater" (Their, 2012) it is clear that these special effects are optimized for viewing in a theater, and…… [Read More]

Compare and Contrast Traditional Theatre Grecian to Modern Theatre

Classical and Modern Greek Theater

There are clear connections between the classical and modern theater in Greece - just as there are clear connections between the theater of classical Greece and the modern theater of the West in general. Much of what we believe to be proper theater-making comes from classical works: We still use many of the same ideas about character, about motif, about plot. But even as many of the internal structures have remained the same, the culture in which the plays of ancient and modern Greece are written and produced has changed dramatically, thus changing the content and understanding of the plays themselves. We can see how theater has changed (and how it has not) by examining one particular aspect of that runs through so many Greek plays, the concept of free will.

The works of the ancient Greek playwrights are difficult for us to read within…… [Read More]

Measurement and Marketing the Boston Ale Theater

Measurement and Marketing

The Boston Ale Theater

In this scenario regarding marketing questionnaires at the Boston Ale Theater, marketing director Betty Lucas has shown poor judgment in the authorship of her questionnaire, the choice of venue of the marketing questionnaire, and methodology of her information-gathering strategy. All of these factors in combination are sure to result in improperly measured and skewed statistical results.

While the intern in question may be quite competent, this is no guarantee that this individual has a sense of what type of questions will give clues as to the audience the Boston Ale Theater desires and is likely to attract. The intern might simply ask generic questions about age and gender, rather than include other, equally important questions that are more pertinent to the focus of what the public wishes to see.

More importantly, the gender and age break down for the single show being surveyed…… [Read More]

How Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Mirrored the Society in the Unity of Order

William Shakespeare was born into a world of words that took him from cold, stone castles in Scotland to the bustling cities of Italy and the high seas of colonial change. An emblem of the Renaissance, the Bard of Avon was not only the conqueror of his own mind and pen, but also of the language of his own social, political, and religious reality. His theatre, the epic Globe, mirrors the stories of the early, bustling London and ever-morphing England in the duration of its own life, from plank and dirt to flame and fame.

By 1598, Richard Burbage was the practicing don of the London theatre world, extending his fingertips for production all over the lively center of British commerce and governance. His players, a collection of all-male actors, were widely recognized throughout the theatre world, one of the only sources of popular entertainment.

Burbage produced the works of…… [Read More]

Jealous Woman in Asian Literature and Theater

Jealous Woman in Asian Literature and Theater

Muromachi Noh Theater and Aoi no Ue

Steven T. Brown's Theatricalities of Power: The Cultural Politics of Noh adopts a 'new historicist' approach to the study of Noh Theater. In contrast to the dominant tendencies of western scholars, Brown is not interested in "reducing Noh to its theatrical conventions nor abstracting its style and poetics from its performance materiality" (1). Rather he concentrates on Noh as an example of a "micropolitics of culture" (3), which, according to him, is a type of politics grounded in "power relations and effects associated with figurations of authority, gender, subjectivity, naming and patronage" (3).

Brown's primary intention in the Theatricalities of Power is to trace the historical process whereby Noh became institutionalized as the official art form of Japan during the Edo period (1603-1867). Although Brown narrates the history of this institutionalization by highlighting specific historical events…… [Read More]

art and music and theater and performances

Post: Music

I have been lucky enough to have attended dozens of different concerts, in many different genres. Most recently I have been interested in electronic music and have seen a few local DJs as well as a few international ones. I have also seen some avant-garde rock, underground hiphop, punk, and "electroclash," like Peaches. I have seen symphony orchestras and arena rock, such as Bruce Springsteen too. When people ask me what my favorite music is, I usually have a difficult time answering because I enjoy so much music, especially when it is performed live. Live music is special because it is never the same performance twice. When I see a band or artist live, I am taking part in a moment of history.

People have become accustomed to listening to music with their headphones, which is great, except that headphones offer a limiting sonic experience. Other ways of…… [Read More]

She Loves Me Theatre Essay

Roundabout's She Loves Me stars Jane Krakowski and Laura Benanti. Other key performers are Zachary Levi and Gavin Creel. Music is by The Jerry Bock and features classical tunes like "Will He Like Me," "Tonight at Eight," and "A Trip to the Library." In the scene the introduces the song "Will He Like Me," the character played by Laura is dressed in a white trench coat and hat with a sing song kind of melody and dress style reminiscent of the 1920's or 40's. Her dark brown hair looks as if it was pin curled and her makeup is faint with a light lip very indicative of classic movies like Casa Blanca.

Jane Krakowski sings "A Trip to the Library and while the set seems a bit a simple throughout the show, especially this number, (the bedroom scene with the number "Vanilla Ice Cream" seemed lazy in its preparation especially…… [Read More]

Miami's Jerry Herman Ring Theater Performance of South Pacific

miami./theatrearts/ring.html performance "south pacific" write a concise 500-word critical response

Students of the University of Miami's Jerry Herman Ring Theater Alvin Sherman family stage put on a very credible performance of "South Pacific," which is running through the month of April. This work of drama is, of course, a musical. Therefore, it was highly significant that some of the most important actions that the audience witnessed during the performance were related to the singing, dancing, and music involved in this production.

It certainly helps that, since this musical was a Pulitzer Prize for Drama winner in 1950, many of the songs performed within the musical are classics, very famous, and were carried out in a polished manner. The two best numbers of the evening included "I'm Going to Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair" and "Some Enchanted Evening." Andrew Leonard was involved in the latter, whereas the former utilized…… [Read More]

Computers Think First Coming to Theaters in

computers think?

First coming to theaters in 1984, The Terminator was a movie that captured audiences and enveloped them in a world of unknown- robots, intelligence, destruction and the future. The cyborg assassin in the movie fostered society's greatest fear- technology that developed so rapidly that people would not be able to control it. But to what end could this scientific fantasy movie become a reality? Could the laptops that people use everyday suddenly be able to think, act and even cause the destruction similar to that in the blockbuster movie? As technology develops at a rapid pace in modern day society, it solicits the all important question, can computers think?

Foremost, an understanding to the term and concept of thinking must be established as a foundational framework to move forward with the dilemma of computers being able to think. There are two different components to the concept of thinking:…… [Read More]

Ibsen and Brecht the Live Theater Has

Ibsen and Brecht

The live theater has a way of bringing the audience into the play like no other medium. Watching the actors on stage, the audience members all become voyeurs, who witness the secrets of lives behind closed doors. This is a wonderful thing when telling mysteries or comedies where the audience is asked to become part of the story. In dramas however, the playwright needs the audience to relate to the characters but to do so in a way that the message of the story has more merit than the characters themselves. To accomplish this, the playwright has to use certain techniques that will ensure the audience does not get so involved in the minutiae of the story that they lose the message of the larger picture. Playwrights Bertolt Brecht in "The Good Woman of Szechwan" and Henrik Ibsen in "Hedda Gabbler" use different techniques to achieve the…… [Read More]

Theatre Art

Dee:

The Shape of Things, a play by Neil LaBute, (A) expands on the central themes of society's distortional emphasis on appearances, and art as a potentially limitless and human-sculpting instrument. Linearly structured in three acts, the plot closely follows the problematic evolution of a student couple from a Midwest university. Starting as a discrepant match, Evelyn and Adam develop an oddly unequal relationship, as the former increasingly impacts major changes in the apparel and psychological onset of her partner, who complies with every single suggestion out of innocent devotion.

The public clarification scene from the third act has a great potential for theatricality due to the fact that it comes across as a bitter surprise and a ruthlessly planned humiliation, yet admittedly it challenges the cultural and ethical boundaries concerning art and the human being as object for art. The reason why a large part of the audience exhibits…… [Read More]

Arts Music Film Literature and Theatre

1939, John Steinbeck published his novel The Grapes of Wrath, and that same year the film version of the story was released. The film was directed by John Ford and was very popular, and the book and the film together reached millions of people. In writing this novel, Steinbeck reflected many of the social, economic, and political currents of the time. The story is set in the Great Depression era, and the Depression was still have its effect in 1939. What would bring about the end of the Great Depression was already starting in Europe, meaning World War II, which does not impinge directly on the story of the Joad family but which we can see from our standpoint today was about to bring about massive changes in American society. The very nature of the story of the Joads, however, links that story to the Depression and its effect on…… [Read More]

Readers Theater

intervention to deal with the reading problems of a North Philadelphia classroom What the author will discuss first of all is the deficiencies of the Title 1 program itself. The we will examine the following issues:

a) Setting and Sample Population

b) Data Collection Procedures

c) Discussion of Action (Intervention)

The Federal Muddle

While it may seem academic, one must understand the limits of the Title 1 program itself. While Federal funding is allowed for the program, federally mandated curricula is not (" 20 usc," 2011). Unfortunately, the entire controversy was born in genius of bureaucratic overreach. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 explicitly forbids federally determined curricula. Indeed, the U.S. Constitution doe not authorize it either. In other words, the government threw money at the problem in the hope that it would increase Federal influence. Obviously, this was done, but in such a watered down manner that…… [Read More]

Classical Greek Theater

Women in Ancient Tragedy and Comedy

Both the drama of Euripides' "Medea" and the comedy of Aristophanes' "Lysistrata" seem unique upon a level of even surface characterization, to even the most casual students of Classical Greek drama and culture. Both in are female-dominated plays that were produced by male-dominated societies and written by men. Both the drama and the comedy features strong women as their central protagonists, whom are depicted under extreme circumstances, in relatively positive lights. And both plays, despite their very different tones, also have an additional, unique feature in that they show 'the enemy' -- or the non-Greek or non-Athenian, in a fairly positive and humane fashion.

The sympathies of the viewer for female's plights are immediately arisen by Aristophanes from the first scene of "Lysistrata," as Cleonice, the friend of Lysistrata, and a common Athenian housewife states, regarding the lateness of the other women that frustrates…… [Read More]

Renaissance English Theater

Supernatural in Renaissance Drama

There are things in heaven and earth, not dreamt of in the philosophy of Horatio, not simply in "Hamlet" but also in the "Midsummer's Night Dream" of Shakespeare, and the "Dr. Faustus" of Christopher Marlowe. But while all of these plays deal with the theme of human aspirations in a world with a permeable, rather than an impermeable wall between humanity and the supernatural, "Dr. Faustus" suggests that breaking down this wall is initially fun and playful, although it has dire consequences at the end for the play's protagonist. Marlowe's cartoon characters and images of conventional morality, combined with heightened language convey humor rather than horror, until Faustus is condemned to hell for all eternity. The even lighter "Midsummer's Night Dream" also suggests in its early language an initial playfulness for the human and supernatural lovers who engage in transgressing sensual activities. But this comedy set…… [Read More]

Musical Theater West Side Story

West Side Story, filmed in 1961, was one of the most ground-breaking works not only in terms of subject and genre, but also in terms of the boundaries it broke with its musical scores and choreography. Indeed, the film's dance sequences often form part of its plot. Its musical scores depict the deep distrust and underlying violence in the uneasy truces between the street gangs whose members form the basic plot background of the film. What is most interesting is that the film not only broke the romantic plot norm with its "Romeo and Juliet" story, it also broke some norms in the minds and physical exertions of its dancers. One example of such norm defiance is "Cool," one of the songs just before full violence broke out between the gangs and the final tragedy of its outcome.

The first and most important pioneering element of the dance sequences in…… [Read More]

Women in Theatre

Tragedy of Mariam" by Elizabeth Cary

Elizabeth Cary is an Englishwoman who received acclaim because of her written play, "The Tragedy of Mariam," which was written in 17th century England. Born to aristocracy, Cary was known as the first Englishwoman who wrote English drama, and the play "The Tragedy of Mariam," is considered a 'closet drama,' because it is not perform for the public. Rather closet dramas are only narrated in private, and by a small group of people. The play is an adaptation of a Biblical account in the Holy Bible, as Cary begins professing her faith to Catholicism, which was a forbidden and unpopular religion in the society during Cary's time.

The play is said to have many parallelisms to Cary's life, especially the portrayal of the role of Mariam as the wife of Herod. The first similarity that Mariam had with Cary's life is that both have…… [Read More]

Pinter S The Homecoming an Examination of a Recent Production

Theater Review: The Homecoming by Harold Pinter

Although Harold Pinter's The Homecoming has a very modernist tone because of its spare language and hidden sexual tension, the play actually follows the classical plot structure of exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, followed by resolution. While the play may seem to be plotless, the central conflict is the class and sexual conflict in the all-male household when one of the sons returns home with his wife, Ruth. Teddy is the lone educated member of the family and his other brothers clearly resent this fact, particularly Lenny, a thuggish man who immediately makes sexual overtones to Ruth. The central question of the play is how the brothers and Ruth will resolve the question of their relationship. Ultimately, Ruth chooses to leave her stultifying relationship with Teddy and remain in the home because of the greater sexual freedom she seems to enjoy there.…… [Read More]

Art Cinema and Absurdity

Art Cinema and Theatre of Absurd

In "The Art of Cinema as a Mode of Film Practice," David Bordwell provides a definition of what he believes constitutes art cinema in order to define the style as an artistic movement. In "The Theatre of the Absurd," Martin Esslin provides similar arguments about theatre as Bordwell does about film. Bordwell and Esslin both provide an analysis of the elements that distinguish art cinema and art theatre from their mainstream counterparts.

There are several factors that contributed to the rise of art cinema in the post-World War II era. Art cinema became to be recognized as an acceptable and appropriate vehicle of expression given the gravity of historical developments of post-WWII Europe.

In "The Art of Cinema as a Mode of Film Practice," Bordwell explains art cinema "as a distinct mode appears after World War II when the dominance of the Hollywood cinema…… [Read More]

Kabuki a Traditional Form of

com).

Today, kabuki retains a number of leading plays and theatrical groups. The conventional kabuki repertoire has about 300 plays, although others are being added. Play types range from the shosa-goto (dance-drama), to the jidai-mono (historical drama), and the sewa-mono (domestic drama) (University of Texas at Austin)

There are three main groups of kabuki plays. Many kabuki plays were adapted from the puppet theater (such as Chushingura and Tsubosaka-Dera), or the no and kyogen dramas (such as Zazen, Kanjincho, and Musume Dojoji. Kagotsurube is among plays written especially for kabuki theater (University of Texas at Austin).

Kabuki performers Nakamura Kichiemon II, Sawamura Sojuro, Ichikawa Sadanji, Nakamura Matsue and Nakamura Kasho perform with the 70-member Shochiku Company of Tokyo. Of these performers, Nakamura Kichiemon II is considered to be one of Kabuki's strongest actors. Director Nakamura Utaemon is considered to be a "living national treasure" (Lo).

Today, Kabuki presentations in America…… [Read More]

Real Inspector Hound Tom Stoppard's the Real

Real Inspector Hound

Tom Stoppard's The Real Inspector Hound, which was written between 1961 and 1962 and premiered on June 17th 1968, is an absurd play that comments on the role of the critic in relation to the play he or she critiques and comments on the interdependent relationship that is formed between critic and actor. The Real Inspector Hound's plot revolves around a couple of critics, Moon and Birdboot, who become embroiled in a murder mystery while watching a play about a murder mystery; in this sense, The Real Inspector Hound is a play-within-a-play. Through the play's plot and theme, Stoppard not only comments on the interdependent and mutually beneficial relationship critics have with the theatre, but also on how the theatre and critic must remain separate entities.

The Real Inspector Hound is an absurdist play that is highly self-aware, or self-reflexive, of its premise and structure. For the…… [Read More]

Globe the Development of the

When the lease expired for the original location, the Burbages reassembled the theater on the South Bank of the Thames in 1599. This was considered to be one of the 'seedier' districts of London. As well as play-going (a disreputable practice in and of itself), bearbaiting, bull-baiting, and prostitution, were other popular spectator sports on the South Bank (Cummings 2003). When the first Globe burnt down in 1613 "an auditor whose breaches were on fire" was "doused with ale," given that "liquid refreshments" at the tavern were always nearby at the Globe (Burgess 80).

Shakespeare had a financial interest in the theater, as well as acted with and wrote for the Burbage's company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men. Shakespeare and four other investors and actors, including John Heminges, Augustine Phillips, Thomas Pope and Will Kemp, owned the remaining 50% in equal shares and Shakespeare profited as much from owning the…… [Read More]

Michael Bennett

Michael Bennet-What makes him unique

Michael Bennett was born in 1943 under the full name of Michael Bennett DiFiglia. He was devoted to the theater and over the course of his life was a dancer, choreographer and director; before succumbing to AIDS complications at 44 years old. His unique style was his legacy to Broadway -- particularly regarding Musical Theater.

Musical theater has a rich and storied history; dating back centuries. First conceived as "narration with song and dance incorporated"; it was meant to glorify beautiful females, dancers, singers and the occasional comedian (Reynolds, 882). Broadway Musicals were not always successful; but dance continued to be integral and professionals of all genres fell under the purview of the choreographer (Reynolds 693).

By the 1970s the cost of staging a Broadway show was exorbitant. It was often decided to pare back dancing and choreography as a means of saving money (Clark).…… [Read More]

Chinese Opera Kung Fu and

That is, the notion of rivalry and envy is not inherently connected to rational ideas about good and evil. These ethical value judgments are quite secondary to the matter of human conflict and its role in the affairs of both love and power. As Giovetti (2012) points out, "Feng Yi Ting (running until June 7 and stopping in New York at the Lincoln Center Festival, also under Redden's directorship, in July) is characterised by an emotional neutrality that leaves the audiences to decide for themselves how they feel." (Giovetti, p. 1)

In many ways, this is a distinctly eastern way of approaching conflict, providing its details as a history rather than an allegory. And once again, as with the kung fu movies that made so great an impression on me as a child, the play would using certain visual strategies to supplement these themes. They demonstrate the same spare simplicity…… [Read More]

Choreographers Bob Fosse Susan Stroman

For Stroman, the musical numbers must be integrated within a narrative rather than standing as more autonomous (or hegemonic) components of the Broadway Musical.

Michael Bennett brought a less-defined style than Stroman or Fosse, although he made a great impact on the Broadway musical. His costuming was more colorful than the previously accepted norm, as he incorporated garish neon pink, green, and yellow tones into his costume design for the 1975 play a Chorus Line (Hecht). By focusing on costuming, Bennett made the costuming a more integral component of the Broadway musical than previously been accepted.

(B): How Can Prospective Dancers Use Information About Dance Style to Develop Their Style?

There are many ways in which up-and-coming dancers can utilize information about dance styles and audition techniques to enhance their dance career. With regard to audition technique, every prospective dancer should have a strong knowledge of the source text for…… [Read More]

Turandot Spectacle Exoticism Intricacy and Comedy Exploring

Turandot

Spectacle, Exoticism, Intricacy, and Comedy: Exploring the High Theatre of Carlo Gozzi's Turandot

Theatre has always been something of a bellwether for cultural progress and change, with societal issues dealt with explicitly in the action of stage plays since the time of the ancient Greeks and with trends in performance styles and subject matter providing a clear representation of societal mores and cultural values at any given place and time. During the Dark Ages, for example, there essentially was no theatre aside from Church-inspired and -- approved drama recounting certain Biblical stories, primarily those related to Jesus' passion. This reflected society at large, in which literacy and learning had stagnated and very little cultural or technological progress was made throughout much of Europe. With the Renaissance comes the return of drama, and indeed one of the high points in theatrical writing and performance just as the period was one…… [Read More]

Kabuki in the Country of Japan the

Kabuki

In the country of Japan the art of Kabuki has been popular for centuries, dating back to the year 1603 when Izumo no Okuni started performing a new form of dance which was inspired by dramatic plays being written both by Japanese playwrights and which were being imported to the country through trade with the western world. Traditional Kabuki performances were highly dramatic and featured elaborate makeup and hairstyles for the actors and actresses. Usually the stories were tragic dramas told through interpretive dance numbers. Unlike other dramatic or dance forms currently available in Japan, Kabuki was a combination of artistry and entertainment. Originally, the Kabuki was performed primarily and in some cases entirely by women adding to its raucous reputation. Some disparaged the Kabuki theaters are referred to the actresses as "prostitute-singing and dancing performers." This dismissal and marginalization did nothing to dissuade people from attending performances; in…… [Read More]

Edward Gordon Craig The Master

"When (the stage-director) interprets the plays of the dramatist by means of his actors, his scene-painters, and his other craftsmen, then he is a craftsman - a master craftsman; when he will have mastered the use of actions, words, line, color, and rhythm, then he may become an artist," wrote Craig (Pepiton 2008). Because of Craig, set designers are revered as artists and equal partners with directors, actors, and authors. Without Craig, classes in set design would not have the prestige they do today. No director would dare to embark upon a 'black box' production of Shakespeare or opera. Because of Craig, even those directors and designers who still see the value of realism strive to create impressions in the hearts of the audience, rather than literal representations of a drawing-room reality.… [Read More]

Are There Too Many Musicals in the West End

Economics

Regarding the Concentration of West End Musicals

Michael BIllington believes that the theatre boom in the West End contributes to the degradation of the quality of theatre in London. I agree with Billington's position. The ticket prices in the West End coupled with the excessive amount of repetitive productions is not good for the theatre tradition or for the consuming public. Furthermore, I believe that the audiences have the power to effect creative change in the West End.

In his 2011 article, Billington has two primary concerns. One concern is the escalating prices of theatre tickets. His secondary concern is the reduction in originality and creative ingenuity of the theatre community. Thus, not only are tickets too expensive, audiences are paying rising prices for old ideas. The revivals and older plays are not even produced with a new creative spin -- like a Shakespearean play with a contemporary or…… [Read More]

Caviar of the Court to

These were comedies that appealed to the more conservative, middle-class, sentimental, moralistic, and upheld a newly optimistic view of human progress and political development. (Wilson & Goldfarb, 1999)

The 18th century view generally held that people are good and that people could retain virtue by appealing to virtuous human feelings as expressed in Sheridan, Goldsmith, and Sir Richard Steele. Thus, this signaled the end of the aristocratic, brittle Restoration hero and heroine. Yet the return of the theater to the people also caused German theatrical aspirants such as Goethe to creator works such as "Faust," ambitious plays that addressed larger spiritual concerns of the people, and political ideologies that spanned far wider than the immediate social concerns of the court. "Faust," for all its pretensions, represents individuals within its characters, such as the heroine Gretchen, who come from ranks beyond the academic and social elites of the French and English…… [Read More]

Pinter Absurd the Violation of

A secondary objective of the study will be to identify common trends in the theatre of the absurd outside the works of Harold Pinter, and to place Pinter's works in the context of the larger theatrical movement. An examination of other playwrights associated with the theatre of the absurd, as well as scholarship and criticism concerning this genre of theatre, will be used to create and explore this context within the study. Pinter's influence on the theatre of the absurd as well as the influence that the larger movement had on Pinter will also be examined.

Methodology

The study will be composed of five chapters, beginning with a discussion of the elements of Aristotelian drama. Titled, "Introduction: Aristotelian Theatre," this chapter will begin with a discussion of the elements of theatre as described in Aristotle's Poetics, followed by a cursory examination of the dramatic and theatrical conventions this work led…… [Read More]

Serbian Culture the Spiritual Heritage of the Serbian Church

Serbian Culture

Theatre among Serbs has a tradition that is more than eight centuries old. Theatre in Serbia was not created without the occasional interruption. Serbian theatre performances in the Middle Ages had a basically secular and entertaining function. They featured improvisations without written texts, and were staged in public places. The theatre, at this time, remained beyond the bounds and influence of the Orthodox Church. In the thirteenth century, church authorities forbade their congregation to attend gatherings where actors showed their performances (Library of Serbian Culture, par. 55).

The traits of staged scenes and sport festivities lived on in the Serbian fourteenth century as well. In the painting The Mocking of Christ, created between 1317 and 1318 in the monastery of Staro Nagoricino, the endowment of King Milutin, three characters in long sleeves, together with several figures with unusual instruments, are seen in the foreground. Serbian rulers, who had…… [Read More]

Pinter Pt Finding Aristotle --

The theatre of the absurd does not depend on eliciting certain specific emotional responses, but rather on generating any sort of emotional disturbance -- it demands that the audience question its basic emotional beliefs, not give over to them.

In a careful explication of the concept of catharsis, Allan H. Gilbert determines that pity is the primary emotion necessary for the drama to elicit (rejecting the common counterpart, fear). Pity has no real meaning in the theatre of the absurd, however; it requires a great deal more identification with the characters, when one of the major effects of the genre is to cause a certain alienation from the characters and the supposed realities of the play -- and of the surrounding world. Anger and frustration are more appropriate emotional reactions than pity to a piece of absurdist theatre, and they are more appropriately addressed towards the self and towards reality…… [Read More]

Brecht Was a Great Man

As indicated on the Universalteacher.org Web site: "Epic theatre is historical: the audience is continually reminded that epic theatre gives a report of events." Encouraging the audience to remain detached and separate from the narrative, strange things must be put in place to establish and preserve distancing. V-effekt as defined previously was Brecht's way of doing this. He provides an example of V-effekt through the situation of a child whose mother remarries, thus seeing her as a wife not just a mother. An example from "Life of Galileo is the long and profound speech by the unheroic protagonist which is then followed by the bathetic observation: "Now I must eat." (Brecht 2008, 64)

Galileo as shown through Brecht, is an anti-hero through his cowardice behavior. He fears the instruments of torture that come with bravery. He fails the role of hero through his refusal and lack of courage to prove…… [Read More]

art analysis of book of mormon play

theater and particularly its musical performances, have changed dramatically over the years. Their tone and style have reflected historical and cultural changes as well as shifts in attitudes toward musical theater. Recent productions like Book of Mormon and Hamilton would have been inconceivable just a generation ago. Broadway musicals are unique in that they straddle the line between popular and high culture. They have popular culture appeal, packed within the fine art of theater. In some ways, musical theater is a popular culture version of the opera. Broadway theater has matured and expanded its repertoire considerably, moving from the relatively limited domain of Steven Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Weber productions towards a more diverse and creative one. As Lewis points out, "How sadly limiting that was; it surely took some kind of toll on alternative voices trying to break free of cliche expectations," (2). Broadway has broken free, finally, and…… [Read More]

Liar Sparkling Dialogue and Dazzling

The jokes range form the raunchy to the almost unbearably corny, but the actors all acquit themselves in a remarkably deadpan and unaware attitude when required, which is often, waiting out the audience's laughter with extreme -- and extremely repetitive -- aplomb. Christian Conn is more than suitably nimble with his tongue and his movements as he dances ever on the precipice of being trapped in his incessant and incorrigible untruths, and Erin Partain and Miriam Silverman as the pair of friends and deceiving would-be lovers to Conn's Dorante meld an ingenue-ish innocence with a modicum of wicked devilry, taking Ives words and making them both delicious to mouth and to hear. None of the actors fails to play their part perfectly to the hilt, hitting all of the extremes that the period and the modern script demand, demonstrating the extent of the wonderful theatrical talents that this city has…… [Read More]

Art Is The Creation of Beautiful or

art is "the creation of beautiful or thought-provoking works" according to the World English Dictionary

It is with that definition in mind that I argue that theatre is most definitely an art form. Theatre can be defined as when someone chooses to make dramatic performance (acting) their profession much as a dancer chooses the ballet as their profession. The roots of theatre can be traced as far back as the ancient Roman Empire, through the Renaissance in Europe and finally to the 20th century, which saw the emergence of commercial theatre such as musicals that are performed in such venues as Broadway.

Without question, acting is something that only select people are really great at. Likewise, few people can really draw or paint, dance, write, sing or play music. These are all considered art forms and the theatre is a culmination of all of these in one way or another.…… [Read More]

Shakespeare and the Manner in Which He

Shakespeare and the manner in which he wrote and the theatre of his times.

In this modern world that we live in today we still do not forget the one great playwright William Shakespeare, and this is because of the fact that his work is unique and unmatched to any other. His lifetime, as we are convinced, was full of activity regarding his literary works. But the truth is that we know very little about how he grew up and how he got married. We do however know that it was from the 1597 that he started an active life in acting, in which he performed before the queen. It was in London that he learned how to manage the theatre. It was not long after this that he flourished into an expert playwright whose work would touch the hearts of all who read it (1).

Analysis:

William Shakespeare was…… [Read More]