Theatre 1000Exam 1Study GuideThe term theatre has several meanings:It refers to a building that houses theatrical activities. It is a physical space.It also refers to an Art Form.Lastly, it refers to a discipline. Relationship between performer and audience:ImmediatePerformer can hear the audienceAudience can and does affect the performer – small as 1 person, big as 100,000 people Three categories of art Literary – books Visual – something tangible – painting Performing - theatre, dance, music - Preforming art lives through time – it has a beginning and an end Art is selective – some people don’t believe everything is art - Ex. Graffiti Characteristics of Performing ArtsMovement through time – it has a beginning, middle, and an end Require interpreters and creators – audience and people who write the playwrights Require an audience – any size Theatre and the Human ConditionWe enjoy the excitement of the live eventTheatre has a profound connection to the human condition – it relatable to our lives and experiences Elements of Theatre – Theatre is a collaborative art!AudiencePerformersText or ScriptDirectorTheatre SpacesDesign ElementsTheatrical Elements in Our Everyday lives - They all have elements of a play – costumes (wedding dress, tux, jersey), audience, it’s planned, rehearsals, props for holidays, ect. o Ceremonieso Eventso Décor Traits of a theatre eventLive – an audience is essential element of theatre Immediate Unique - Performers cannot play a scene over- A director cannot edit a scene for an audience - The audience has an effect on the performers – there reactions matter Power of Imagination Vicarious participation- Heart and mind- We believe the what we see on stage - We forget who we are - We forget our problems - Through willing suspension of disbelief Aesthetic distance- Requires appreciation of art - For authentic experience the Spectator must be separate from the performance or object Willing suspension of disbelief Creating the Text: The Tasks Involved - always starts with a playwright (the blueprint) 1. Selecting the specific subject of the play2. Determining focus and emphasis3. Establishing Purpose4. Developing dramatic structure5. Creating dramatic character6. Establishing point of view – Important – can be same subject but in a different tone – changes everything Types of Dramatic Characters ExtraordinaryAllegorical, Representative or QuintessentialStock CharactersCharacters with a Dominant TraitMinor Narrator or ChorusNonhuman Antigone by Sophocles Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare The Theatre Critic: An Audience of OneA Critic is someone who observes theatre and analyzes and comments on itA critics stands between the audience and the theatre eventKnowledgeable and highly sensitive audience member Differs from an ordinary spectator through knowledge and a developed set of standards by which to judge theatre Criteria for Criticism What is the playwright or production attempting to do?How well has it been done?Is it worth doing? A Critic is someone who observes theatre and analyzes and comments on itA critics stands between the audience and the theatre eventKnowledgeable and highly sensitive audience member Differs from an ordinary spectator through knowledge and a developed set of standards by which to judge theatreReviewer Critics Report on what has occurred at eventPublish in newspapers and magazines or report for televisionOffer opinions of the event Often have limited experience Describe the event in greater detailPublish in magazines and scholarly journalsGo beyond articles to books about playwrights, plays, or theatrical movementsPlace event or playwright in larger contextWrites for a sophisticated audienceDramatic Purpose:To entertainTo probe the human conditionTo provide an escapeTo impart information To put forth an opinion or ideaTo raise a philosophical questions To probe timeless theme To thrill or frighten Types of conflictCharacter vs. Another CharacterCharacter vs. SelfCharacter vs. Forces of NatureCharacter vs. Society Character vs. Supernatural/Technology Juxtaposition of Characters Protagonist- The leading character- The chief or outstanding figure in the action- The one trying to accomplish somethingAntagonist- The character who opposes the protagonist- The one trying to stop the protagonist from achieving his goal Descriptive CriticismThe Poetics by AristotlePrescriptive CriticismArs poetica by HoraceTwo Basic Structures (know the differences)Climactic Plot Construction Episodic Plot ConstructionClimactic (intensive) Plot Construction Episodic (extensive) Plot Construction1. Plot begins late in the story, toward the very end or climax.2. Covers a short space of time, perhaps a few hours or at most a few days.3. Contains a few solid, extended scenes, such as three acts with each act comprising on long scene.4. Occurs in a restricted local, such as one room or one house.5. Number of characters is severely limited-usually no more than six or eight. 6. Plot is linear and moves in a single line with few subplots or counterplots.7. Line of action proceeds in a cause-and-effect chain. The characters and events are closely linked in a sequence of logical, almost inevitable development. 1. Plot begins relatively early in the story and moves through a series of episodes.2. Covers a longer period of time: weeks, months, and sometimes many years3. Has many short, fragmented scenes; sometimes alternates short and long scenes.4. May range over an entire city or even several countries.5. Has a profusion of characters, sometimes several dozen.6. Is frequently marked by several thread of actions, such as two parallel plots, or scenes of comic relief in a serious play.7. Scenes are juxtaposed to one another. An event may result from several causes, or from no apparent cause, but arises in anetwork or web of circumstances. Origins of Theatre Humans have an impulse to create theatre Storytelling Imitation Religious observances RitualsThespis 6th century B.C.E.Steps out of the chorusBecomes the “first” actorTragedyProcess of imitating an action (mimesis)Serious implicationsCompletePossess magnitudeThrough sensuous languageEnacted by persons; not through narration Catharsis comes about through pity and fearTheatre Production in Greece  Amphitheatres Hill side 15,000 to 17,000 spectators  Orchestra At base of the hill Circular playing area Parodos  Behind the