introduction to theatre
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Introduction to Theatre. Drama Combines aspects of all three Literary Genres. Literature Drama can be fictional or factual It can also be commercial or literary Drama shares many of the common literary elements like plot, setting, characterization, and dialog Poetry - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Introduction to TheatreIntroduction to Theatre
Drama Combines aspects of all Drama Combines aspects of all three Literary Genresthree Literary Genres
LiteratureLiterature Drama can be fictional or factualDrama can be fictional or factual It can also be commercial or literaryIt can also be commercial or literary Drama shares many of the common literary Drama shares many of the common literary
elements like plot, setting, characterization, and elements like plot, setting, characterization, and dialogdialog
PoetryPoetry Many plays are written in verse (for example, Many plays are written in verse (for example,
“Oedipus Rex” and “Othello”)“Oedipus Rex” and “Othello”) DramaDrama
Its unique characteristic is that it is written to be Its unique characteristic is that it is written to be performedperformed
Three Major Characteristics of Three Major Characteristics of DramaDrama
1. It has a direct, immediate impact1. It has a direct, immediate impactAdvantages: Advantages:
Simultaneous impressions occurSimultaneous impressions occurPerformance can be more expressive than a Performance can be more expressive than a
reader’s imaginationreader’s imaginationDisadvantages:Disadvantages:
Limited to one viewpoint—objective (dramatic)Limited to one viewpoint—objective (dramatic)Writers try to overcome this by using the Writers try to overcome this by using the soliloquysoliloquy and the and the asideaside to accomplish what the to accomplish what the omniscient viewpoint achieves in the short story omniscient viewpoint achieves in the short story genregenre
2. Drama effectively commands the 2. Drama effectively commands the spectator’s attentionspectator’s attentionAdvantage: The playwright’s power Advantage: The playwright’s power
extends beyond words aloneextends beyond words aloneDisadvantage: The materials one can Disadvantage: The materials one can
use on stage are limiteduse on stage are limited
3. The experience of watching a play 3. The experience of watching a play is communalis communalAdvantage: Impact is intensified.Advantage: Impact is intensified.Disadvantages: There is a need for Disadvantages: There is a need for
brevity, swift movement of plot, and brevity, swift movement of plot, and intermissionsintermissions
Plays are meant to be seen. However, Plays are meant to be seen. However, there are justifications for reading a there are justifications for reading a
playplay
It is better to know some masterpieces by It is better to know some masterpieces by reading them than never to know them at allreading them than never to know them at all
Reading allows fuller use of the imaginationReading allows fuller use of the imagination It allows one to study at leisureIt allows one to study at leisure It allows for reviewIt allows for review It permits one to see the original intent of the It permits one to see the original intent of the
author without intervention by a director author without intervention by a director
The History of Western Drama is The History of Western Drama is Rooted in Ancient GreeceRooted in Ancient Greece
A Greek theatre on Mount Parnassus above Delphi
Greek TheatreGreek Theatre Ancient Greek theatre developed as part Ancient Greek theatre developed as part
of religious festivalsof religious festivals A “choric hymn” called the A “choric hymn” called the dithyrambdithyramb was was
composed in honor of Dionysus, the god of composed in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine and fertilitywine and fertility
The hymn was sung by a chorus of 50 menThe hymn was sung by a chorus of 50 men Over time, Thespis, the first actor, added Over time, Thespis, the first actor, added
dialog between one actor and the chorusdialog between one actor and the chorus
ThespisThespis Added the first actor to interact with the Added the first actor to interact with the
dithyramb chorusdithyramb chorus Called the actor the “protagonist”Called the actor the “protagonist” Is said to have performed in Athens in 534 Is said to have performed in Athens in 534
B.C.B.C. The term “thespian,” (having to do with The term “thespian,” (having to do with
drama or theater) comes from his name.drama or theater) comes from his name. When the Dionysian festivals changed to When the Dionysian festivals changed to
drama competitions, Thespis was the first drama competitions, Thespis was the first winnerwinner
Golden Age of Greece Golden Age of Greece (480 - 338 BC)(480 - 338 BC)
Featured 3 great tragic dramatists:Featured 3 great tragic dramatists:Aeschylus (525-456 BC)Aeschylus (525-456 BC)Sophocles (496-405 BC)Sophocles (496-405 BC)Euripedes (480-407 BC)Euripedes (480-407 BC)
Aeschylus (around 484 B.C.)Aeschylus (around 484 B.C.) Changed the dithyramb into dramaChanged the dithyramb into drama Added a second actorAdded a second actor Added props and sceneryAdded props and scenery Reduced the chorus from 50 to 15Reduced the chorus from 50 to 15
SophoclesSophocles Added a third actorAdded a third actor Changed the focus from interactions between Changed the focus from interactions between
humans and the gods to interactions between humans and the gods to interactions between humanshumans
EuripidesEuripides Reflects modern attitudesReflects modern attitudes Writes about all real people, not just royaltyWrites about all real people, not just royalty Plays have a realistic flavorPlays have a realistic flavor
Physical Conventions of Greek Physical Conventions of Greek TheatreTheatre
Semi-circular tiers of seats hollowed Semi-circular tiers of seats hollowed out of the hillside out of the hillside
Seated up to 17,000 spectatorsSeated up to 17,000 spectatorsOrchestra Orchestra
60 ft. in diameter with altar at center60 ft. in diameter with altar at centerPlace where the chorus performedPlace where the chorus performed
Performances occurred in daylightPerformances occurred in daylightChorus of 15Chorus of 15
Sang and danced in response to the actorsSang and danced in response to the actors
ChorusChorus Forerunner of our Forerunner of our
divisions of plays divisions of plays into acts and into acts and scenesscenes
Function in telling Function in telling story:story: converses with main converses with main
character(s)character(s) sometimes sometimes
comments on the comments on the actionaction
offers words of offers words of warning, advicewarning, advice
voices reactions of voices reactions of spectatorsspectators
ActorsActors Maximum of 3 with Maximum of 3 with
speaking rolesspeaking roles Could double, triple Could double, triple
their rolestheir roles All maleAll male Wore masksWore masks Wore buskinsWore buskins
Elevator boots to Elevator boots to increase statureincrease stature
Other Characteristics of Other Characteristics of Greek Drama:Greek Drama:
Some unhappy endingsSome unhappy endingsFew or no horrible scenes on stageFew or no horrible scenes on stageFemale roles played by menFemale roles played by menSimple stage propsSimple stage propsReligious in origin and spiritReligious in origin and spiritRomantic love not importantRomantic love not importantEmployed Aristotle’s classical Employed Aristotle’s classical
unitiesunities
Aristotle’s Rules and Purpose for Aristotle’s Rules and Purpose for Ancient DramaAncient Drama
Classical Unities Classical Unities Unity of time (action must occur within Unity of time (action must occur within
24 hours)24 hours)Unity of place (action takes place in one Unity of place (action takes place in one
location)location)Unity of action (single plot)Unity of action (single plot)
CatharsisCatharsisSocially acceptable purging of emotions Socially acceptable purging of emotions
such as anger, fear, or griefsuch as anger, fear, or grief
Two Main Types of Greek DramaTwo Main Types of Greek Dramawith sub-genreswith sub-genres
TragedyTragedyMelodramaMelodrama
ComedyComedyFarceFarce
Characteristics of Greek Characteristics of Greek TragedyTragedy
Displays human greatnessDisplays human greatnessEmphasizes human freedomEmphasizes human freedomExposes the nobility of manExposes the nobility of manPresents challenges to the vision Presents challenges to the vision
of human possibilityof human possibilityAdheres to Aristotle’s classical Adheres to Aristotle’s classical
unitiesunities
Characteristics of the Tragic Characteristics of the Tragic HeroHero
Overpowering individualOverpowering individual Usually named in the play’s titleUsually named in the play’s title
Judged by moral standardsJudged by moral standardsIsolatedIsolatedLofty and nobleLofty and nobleHas a tragic flawHas a tragic flaw
MelodramaMelodrama
A sub-genre of TragedyA sub-genre of Tragedy Attempts to arouse Attempts to arouse
feelings of fear and pityfeelings of fear and pity Uses crude meansUses crude means Oversimplified conflictOversimplified conflict
Emphasis on plotEmphasis on plot Good triumphs over Good triumphs over
evilevil Happy endingHappy ending Usually escapistUsually escapist
Characteristics of ComedyCharacteristics of ComedyEmphasizes commonness of the Emphasizes commonness of the
groupgroupProtagonist tends to be a typeProtagonist tends to be a typeProtagonist is judged by social Protagonist is judged by social
standardsstandardsPlots are less likely to have Plots are less likely to have
organic unityorganic unityUsually happy endingUsually happy ending
FarceFarce
A sub-genre of A sub-genre of ComedyComedy
Aims at explosive Aims at explosive laughterlaughter
Crude meansCrude means Violent, usually Violent, usually
physical conflictsphysical conflicts
Emphasis on plot, Emphasis on plot, improbable improbable situations, situations, coincidencecoincidence
Coarse wit, practical Coarse wit, practical jokes, physical actionjokes, physical action
Usually escapistUsually escapist
This ends the introductory This ends the introductory discussion of drama and theatre discussion of drama and theatre