Death of a Salesman Production Process What are specific differences between the two productions How do these two productions feel different Which production was more effective Visual Differences physical features of actors Hoffman is shorter color of sets Hoffman more Victorian Cobb more drab Linda more involved in Hoffman s Cobb Version quieter less emotional old cast Hoffman more energy What is Theater Theater vs Film cost accessibility advertising celebrities special affects Why study theater important art form universal art theatrical impulse mimesis imitation is a natural desire in humans Definition of Theater Theater must have Actor Story Audience Liveness Theater requires action space actors liveness Theater is constantly changing How do audiences negotiate Theater conventions rules practices audience accepts suspension of disbelief ignore that some things are unrealistic aesthetic distance audience does not intervene into play Thinking Critically about a Performance theater is sum of a set of choices playwright artistic director director designers actors o o o o o Key Questions for Audience What was attempted Was it accomplished Was it valuable Acting Acting actor as imitator mimesis actor is the messenger face of the show Konstantin Stanislavski Russian director actor Goal of acting is realistic portrayal or character What it takes to be an Actor 3 ingredients innate ability training practice actor s instrument body voice actor s abilities cultivate imagination concentration responsiveness Options for Training college acting school classes auditions cattle calls closed auditions cold readings monologues call backs Rehearsals table read working rehearsal scene by scene running rehearsals tech rehearsals opening night 4 levels of Characterization biological gender age appearance sociological class status family background psychological interests attitude goals ethical values choices Acting Terminology super objective ultimate goal for a character obstacle blocks character from attaining goal intention what 1 character wants from another character tactic way character gets over obstacle motivation forces character to act Evaluating Performance don t shoot the messenger could you understand him her was the actor convincing avoid noise no food no talking singing cell phones Theater Notes Before the Performance dress code arrive early read program During the Performance After the Performance no early departures standing ovations 3 block rule Directing History of Directing Richard Wagner 1813 1883 unified production is needed Director s Concept or thematic thrust overall image or metaphor for the play director s main jobs are interpretation and unification Director s Process Before Rehearsals Choose script Research Interpret the play o o o o Meet designers Cast actors o During Rehearsals Table work o Staging rehearsals o Coach actors o Corrdinate production team o Tech rehearsals o o Dress rehearsals Dramaturg helps playwright refine focus script Rent Controversy Dramaturg Lynn Thompson did not gain credit after Jonathan Larson died The Production Manager The Playwright Terminology playwright person who writes a play playwriting writing a play 3 Elements of a Playwright love of language know the stage environment interest in people Source Material for Plays auto biography current events fiction other plays other Sum of a Series of Choices story vs plot theme character setting style Theater Design Designers Training lighting sound costume scenic MFA Master in Fine Arts BA in Theater Arts Historians get PH D in fine arts Process Designer goes through read play sign contract read play 3 times meet with designers and director research draft ideas budget tech rehearsals Movement Dance Choreography What is Dance telling a story thru body movement Who Dances Everyone Dance anywhere Movies Why Dance expression tell a story fun exercise socialize History of Dance on Stage western stage ancient greeks romans chorus btwn acts medieval dance carol circle dance teach a lesson renaissance danced for nobility actual stage Thoinot Arbeau s Orchesographie Ballet from Italy Louis XIV loved to dance Beauchamp and Moliere s comedy ballets Ballet in Russia o Diaghilev s Ballet Russes refined ballet o Marius Petipa choreographer for Russian imperial o Ballet Famous Ballets sleeping beauty nutcracker swan lake Modern Dance jazz West Side Story What is Choreography art of creating dances 4 basic elements space time form dynamics How to Read Dance dance is ephemeral oral tradtion labanontation study of movements Theater Notes shows have a weekly operating budget need to cover costs per week to stay open critics have the ability to close a show CSPAC lecturer Cary Gillett Production manager oversees all shows in a theater Stage manager works on 1 show from beginning to end most underrated job Once play opens director leave stage manager stays keeps director s vision Blocking actor s movement on stage Theater Space 4 major spaces Directions Backstage Terms Proscenium audience on 1 side most theaters Alley runway audience on 2 sides common in China Thrust audience on 3 sides Jenny Sutter Area Round audience on all sides boxing match block box seating chairs can move to make all 4 spaces Perspective of Audience house right left Perspective of actors stage right left Down stage closest to audience Up stage furthest from audience wings sides of the stage fly loft above stage pit below stage houses orchestra MacBeth superstitious known as Scottish Play Ghost light one light always keeps ghosts happy Spikes marks on stage to show where things go Strike clear the set after play Rake angled floor on top of stage
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