Introduction to Theater:Introduction to Theater:

Chapter 1Chapter 1

You and the TheaterYou and the Theater

Stage language & Stage language & conventionsconventions

ConventionsConventions-special or traditional -special or traditional ways ways

of doing things.of doing things.Ex: “Curtain going up…” “Places…” “Break a leg…”

Dramatic TraditionDramatic Tradition

DramaDrama-second only to dance as the -second only to dance as the oldestoldest of the of the humanitieshumanities..

Humanities-the areas of human interest which attempt to answer eternal questions:

“Who am I?” “Why am I here?” “Where am I going?”

The humanities include drama, music, art, literature, and philosophy.

Dramatic TraditionDramatic Tradition

DramaDrama-second only to dance as the -second only to dance as the oldestoldest of the of the humanitieshumanities..

Drama- comes from a Greek word meaning “to do or to act.”

Doing is what theater is all about!Acting Building Directing Writing Producing

Dramatic TraditionDramatic Tradition

dance pre-donedance pre-done: the acting out of wished-for : the acting out of wished-for events: a forerunner of ritualistic drama.events: a forerunner of ritualistic drama.

Drama- comes from a Greek word meaning “to do or to act.”

Essentials for DramaEssentials for Drama

1.1. ActorsActors

Essentials for DramaEssentials for Drama

1.1. ActorsActors

2.2. AudienceAudience

Essentials for DramaEssentials for Drama

1.1. ActorsActors

2.2. AudienceAudience

3.3. PlacePlace

Essentials for DramaEssentials for Drama

1.1. ActorsActors2.2. AudienceAudience3.3. PlacePlace4.4. LightingLighting

The Ingredients of The Ingredients of DramaDrama

1.1. Character (s)Character (s)

The Ingredients of The Ingredients of DramaDrama

1.1. Character (s)Character (s)

2.2. Situation-problem or Situation-problem or challengechallenge

The Ingredients of The Ingredients of DramaDrama

1.1. Character (s)Character (s)

2.2. Situation-problem or Situation-problem or challengechallenge

Drama becomes interesting when:

•We empathize with the character.

•There is conflict.

The Ingredients of The Ingredients of DramaDrama

1.1. Character (s)Character (s)

2.2. SituationSituation-problem or -problem or challengechallenge

Drama becomes interesting when:

•We empathize with the character.

•There is conflict.

Empathy-emotional identity with someone or something outside one’s self. Sympathy is feeling sorry for someone, empathy is feeling with someone.

The Ingredients of The Ingredients of DramaDrama

1.1. Character (s)Character (s)

2.2. SituationSituation-problem or -problem or challengechallenge

Drama becomes interesting when:

•We empathize with the character.

•There is conflict.

Conflict-a struggle between two opposing forces.

The struggle can be with himself, another character, or with a force.

Ex: Hamlet struggled with himself. Robin Hood fought against authority.

More key terms:More key terms:

More key terms:More key terms:

scriptscript- drama that is written down. - drama that is written down.

More key terms:More key terms:

scriptscript- drama that is written down. - drama that is written down. Like a novel, a play almost always tells a story Like a novel, a play almost always tells a story

and has a beginning, middle and an end. and has a beginning, middle and an end. However, drama is meant to be acted out-not However, drama is meant to be acted out-not merely read.merely read.

More key terms:More key terms:

scriptscript- drama that is written down. - drama that is written down. Like a novel, a play almost always tells a story Like a novel, a play almost always tells a story

and has a beginning, middle and an end. and has a beginning, middle and an end. However, drama is meant to be acted out-not However, drama is meant to be acted out-not merely read.merely read.

legitimate theater legitimate theater – term used to – term used to distinguish live performances from distinguish live performances from other media-like TV and movies.other media-like TV and movies.

More key terms:More key terms:

More key terms:More key terms:

critique-critique- the evaluation of a work or the evaluation of a work or performance. performance.

More key terms:More key terms:

critique-critique- the evaluation of a work or the evaluation of a work or performance. performance.

stage frightstage fright-the nervous anticipation -the nervous anticipation of going on stage to perform. of going on stage to perform.

The study of drama:The study of drama: Is the study of human nature.Is the study of human nature. Improves the art of communicating. Improves the art of communicating.

(feelings, important events, political (feelings, important events, political statements, etc.)statements, etc.)

Allows you to become more expressive.Allows you to become more expressive.Allows you to entertain-to make people Allows you to entertain-to make people

think, question, smile, laugh, and cry.think, question, smile, laugh, and cry.Allows you to discover yourself .Allows you to discover yourself .

Chapter 1 VocabularyChapter 1 Vocabulary1. Convention1. Convention2. Humanities2. Humanities3. Drama3. Drama4. Dance pre-done4. Dance pre-done5. Situation5. Situation6. Conflict6. Conflict7. Empathy7. Empathy8. Script8. Script9. Legitimate 9. Legitimate

TheaterTheater10. Critique10. Critique11. Stage fright11. Stage fright

The origins of Western DramaThe origins of Western Drama

Western drama originates in classical Western drama originates in classical Greece. Greece.

The origins of Western DramaThe origins of Western Drama

Western drama originates in classical Western drama originates in classical Greece. Greece.

The theatrical culture of the city-The theatrical culture of the city-state of Athens produced three state of Athens produced three genres of drama: tragedy, comedy, genres of drama: tragedy, comedy, and the satyr play. and the satyr play.

The origins of Western DramaThe origins of Western Drama

Western drama originates in classical Western drama originates in classical Greece. Greece.

The theatrical culture of the city-state The theatrical culture of the city-state of Athens produced three genres of of Athens produced three genres of drama: tragedy, comedy, and the drama: tragedy, comedy, and the satyr play. satyr play.

Writers (dramatists) participated in Writers (dramatists) participated in competitions held as part of festivities competitions held as part of festivities celebrating the god Dionysus.celebrating the god Dionysus.

The origins of Western DramaThe origins of Western Drama

Western drama originates in classical Western drama originates in classical Greece. Greece.

The theatrical culture of the city-state of The theatrical culture of the city-state of Athens produced three genres of drama: Athens produced three genres of drama: tragedy, comedy, and the satyr play. tragedy, comedy, and the satyr play.

Writers (dramatists) participated in Writers (dramatists) participated in competitions held as part of festivities competitions held as part of festivities celebrating the god Dionysus.celebrating the god Dionysus.

Thespis was an early Greek dramatist.Thespis was an early Greek dramatist.

(thespian) (thespian)

Ancient Greek TheatreAncient Greek Theatre

Many theaters seated up to Many theaters seated up to 14,000.14,000.

Tragedy/ComedyTragedy/ComedyMasks (Roman Period)Masks (Roman Period)

The origins of Western DramaThe origins of Western Drama

Roman Period (27 BCE-476 CE)Roman Period (27 BCE-476 CE)The Romans adopted many of the The Romans adopted many of the

Greek traditions in their theatre Greek traditions in their theatre productions.productions.

The origins of Western DramaThe origins of Western Drama

Roman Period (27 BCE-476 CE)Roman Period (27 BCE-476 CE) The Romans adopted many of the Greek traditions in The Romans adopted many of the Greek traditions in

their theatre productions.their theatre productions.

Medieval Period Medieval Period (fall of Roman empire thru 13(fall of Roman empire thru 13thth century) century)

Most medieval theatre is not well documented due Most medieval theatre is not well documented due to:to: a lack of surviving records and texts, a lack of surviving records and texts, a low literacy rate of the general population, a low literacy rate of the general population, and the opposition of the clergy to many types of and the opposition of the clergy to many types of

performance. performance.

It is known that mimes, minstrels, bards, storytellers, and It is known that mimes, minstrels, bards, storytellers, and jugglers traveled in search of new audiences and financial jugglers traveled in search of new audiences and financial support.support.

The origins of Western DramaThe origins of Western Drama

English Renaissance Theatre PeriodEnglish Renaissance Theatre Period aka Early Modern English theatreaka Early Modern English theatre

"Elizabethan theatre" the plays "Elizabethan theatre" the plays written and performed publicly in written and performed publicly in England during the reign of Queen England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth (1558–1603). Elizabeth (1558–1603).

The origins of Western DramaThe origins of Western Drama

English Renaissance Theatre PeriodEnglish Renaissance Theatre Period aka Early Modern English theatreaka Early Modern English theatre

"Elizabethan theatre" the plays "Elizabethan theatre" the plays written and performed publicly in written and performed publicly in England during the reign of Queen England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth (1558–1603).Elizabeth (1558–1603).

““Jacobean theatre” (associated with Jacobean theatre” (associated with

the reign of King James I, 1603–1625)the reign of King James I, 1603–1625)

English Renaissance Theatre English Renaissance Theatre PeriodPeriod

Renaissance theatre derived from Renaissance theatre derived from several traditions, such as mystery several traditions, such as mystery plays that formed a part of religious plays that formed a part of religious festivals in England.festivals in England.

English Renaissance Theatre English Renaissance Theatre PeriodPeriod

Renaissance theatre derived from several Renaissance theatre derived from several traditions, such as mystery plays that traditions, such as mystery plays that formed a part of religious festivals in formed a part of religious festivals in England.England.

The The Globe TheatreGlobe Theatre was a theatre London was a theatre London associated with associated with William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare. It . It was built in 1599 by Shakespeare's was built in 1599 by Shakespeare's playing company, the playing company, the Lord Chamberlain's MenLord Chamberlain's Men. .

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre –Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre –built circa 1599built circa 1599

Inside Shakespeare’s Globe Inside Shakespeare’s Globe TheatreTheatre

Modern TheaterModern Theater

Constantin StanislavskiConstantin Stanislavski Theatre director and actorTheatre director and actor

Stanislavski organized his realistic techniques Stanislavski organized his realistic techniques into a coherent and usable “system.”into a coherent and usable “system.”

Most consider his “system” to be the forerunner Most consider his “system” to be the forerunner of American Method Acting.of American Method Acting.