Introduction to Theatre 270WHY THEATER?Outline of Main PointsWhy Theater?I.Why is Theatre unique?II.Examine issue from perspective of storytellingIII.Theatre compared to novels & movies.IV.Relative strengths of novels & movies.Why Theater?A. Novel Strengths1. Explore, expand, in any direction in outside world.2. Can go inside character’s minds: feelings, thoughts, etc.3. Omniscient narrator4. Any length5. Reader controls pace6. Unlimited number of charactersWhy Theater?B.Movie Strengths 1. Can go instantly into any environment2. Editing capability3. Technological superiority4. Close UpsWhy Theater?V.Theatre Weaknesses A. Relatively short playing time in theaterB. Relative speed of the actionC. Actors frequently quite a distance from audienceD. Limited spaceE. Limited cast of charactersF. Technological limitationsWhy Theater?VI. Theatre Strengths A. Very long traditionB. Theatre a communal experience, a communal art1. Other arts experienced in relative privacy2. Direct visceral connection between live performers & audiencea. Theatre both synergistic & symbioticWhy Theater?C.Theatre’s fundamental appeal is to imagination1. Theatre “suggests” via images, metaphors, sub-text, etc.2. Imagination of audience participates with imagination of performance3. Drama is fictional; Theatre & actors are reala. Theatre event combines the two: extraordinary events of fictional worlds become real in our world.The EndWhy Theater?Introduction to Theatre.THTRE