introduction to theatre lecture “if all the world’s a stage, then you deserve better...
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction To Theatre Lecture
“If all the world’s a stage, then you deserve better lighting!”
Cyclorama Floor Plan
Cyclorama Blue/Green Wash
Backdrop
Raked Stage with Backdroplegs and headers
Parts of the Stage
Four types of theatre spaces
Proscenium audience views the action from one
direction Downey, Music Center
Arena audience views the action from
four directions Arena Stage, Washington DC
Proscenium Theatre
Proscenium Theatre
Proscenium Theatre Space
Other terms: picture-frame, fourth wall
Introduced in Italy during the Renaissance
90% of all theatres
Proscenium Theatre Space
Advantages provides for spectacle focuses audience’s
attention most acutely heightens aesthetic
distance
Disadvantages intimacy more difficult
to achieve
Arena Stage
Arena Theatre
Arena Theatre Space
Other terms: theatre-in-the-round, circle
theatre
Oldest arrangement in history
Arena Theatre Space
Advantages offers greater intimacy heightens audience’s
sense of community demands economy in
design and production
Disadvantages Plays requiring
elaborate scenery suffer
Arena Theatre
Arena Theatre
Four types of theatre spaces cont.
Thrust audience views the action from
three direction Mark Taper Forum
Created & Found Spaces each audience member views the
action from a unique perspective
Thrust Stage
Thrust
The Mark Taper Forum
South Coast Reparatory Theatre
Thrust Stage Space
Other terms: three-quarter stage
Most widely used in history
Thrust Stage Space
Advantages a compromise between
the proscenium and arena stage
• some intimacy
• some spectacle Western theatre written
for this space
Disadvantages a compromise between
the proscenium and arena stage
• some intimacy
• some spectacle
Created and Found Spaces(Flexible Theatre)
An attempt to break down audience-actor distance.Grew out of avant-garde experimentation.Originated in 1927 by Gilmore BrownAffect the audience’s experience as strongly as
dialogue or staging might.Non-theatre buildings, street theatre, multifocus
environments.Sandwich and L Shapes Staging
The Found Theatre
Acting RulesNever Break – Always stay in characterActing is reactingActing is visual and audioListen to you costars as if you have never heard
them before.Every movement must be motivatedNever make eye contact with the audience.Follow the director he/she is in charge!!Build your emotions within a scene you can only
get so angry and loud!!!Know your character’s motivations
Acting TechniquesGesture is a hand or arm movement.
Always use your upstage hand or arm.Enter the stage on your upstage footAlways turn downstageKneel on your downstage kneeThe audience will follow your eyes so stay
focused in the direction you want the audience to look.
Open up for the audience – ¾ Open – To turn towards the audience Close – Turn away from the audience
Bad Actor – Shame!!UpstagingCoverPick up Cues – too slow!!Over-ridingToo much back and butt!Bad diction and projectionSlow Timing
Almost Done
ProtagonistAntagonist
Technique Forever
Method Acting Stanislavski Moscow Arts Theatre 1800’s
When the actor doesn’t know their lines
Missed CuesAd-libImprovisationTimingOver-Riding
Three Elements in Collaboration
Performer
Audience
Text
Theatre and Other Art Forms1. Focus on the human experience. 2. “Perpetual Present”
Thornton Wilder
4. “Willing suspension of disbelief” Samuel Coleridge
5. Immediacy of theatre6. Collaboration
between the performer and the audience between the designers, directors, performers,
technicians Theatre is Didactic – It teaches lessons
Basic elements of theatre?
StoryActorsAudienceCritics and ScholarsDirector
ProducerTheatre SpaceDesignersTechniciansManagers
Jobs in the Theatre Director Designers – Lights – Sound – Scenery - Choreography Stage Manager Technical Director Artistic Director House Manager Theatre Manager Prop Crew Lighting Technician Box Office Staff Concessions Staff Actors Singers Dancers Marketing Staff - Publicity Shop Carpenters, Electricians, Machinists Agents Managers Public Relations Booking Agent Ushers Musicians Conductors Producers Casting Directors Accountant Touring Manager