1/28/13Why do we study theatre?What makes theatre theatre?How do audiences negotiate the theatre experience?What are the rules of theatre etiquette?Why does our generation prefer film to theatre?CostAccessibilityVisual Culture (Theatre = Aural)Advertising“Graying of the American Audience”Why do we study theatre?Universality of theatre – all cultures have performances.Theatrical ImpulseAristotle The Poetics (335 BC) – humans have innate mimetic desire in humans (mimesis = imitation)The definition of theatreTheatre must have:1) an actor2) a story – something has to occur3) a audience4) “Liveness” – it’s a live experience. This factor is most distinct from filmCommunication Interaction ModelSender -> Message -> Receiver-FeedbackInteractive audience = energizing, more excitement from the audience.Similarities and differences between theatre andJugglers – require skillTheatre requires action – something has to happenTheatre uses actors – an actor is a performer who impersonatesTheatre is a hybrid formTheatre is a collaborative artTheatre relies on “liveness”Theatre is ephemeral – shortlivedHow do audiences negotiate the theatre event?Theatrical conventions – Rules, practices or shorthand that audience agrees to acceptWilling suspension of disbelief – Although audience know the events of a ply are not real, they agree for the moment not to disbelieve them.Aesthetic Distance – Audiences remember that events on stage are not real so they do not interveneTheatre EtiquetteBefore the show:Appropriate DressArrive earlyRead ProgramDuring the show:Avoid Noise ie food, talking, candy etc (theatres are designed to amplify noise)No early departuresNo standing Ovations“The Three Block Rules” – Do not discuss the show in the lobby of the theatre because the staff might be there. You don’t want to be a jerk about it in front of them.How to think critically about performance?The theatre production is the sum of a set of choices.Play wrightArtistic director – CEO of the theater company. Admiral of the navyDirector – captain of the ship and decides what that play is going to say.DesignersActorsWhat are the choices made by all the people involved with the production and how well do they work?Death of a salesmanWilly and Biff – the most important foil (opposite of each other)Very clear structure, very realisticOriginal title was “Inside his head”Director’s concept – Overall image or metaphor for the play2/6/2013Caroline Clay:Devising work = making playWhat is revealed and what is hidden, what Willy is doing after hours = the tragedy. What we hide from the world, and what we put forward to others.Her specialization in voice and dialect. Authored audio books.Understudy = they make money, especially on Broadway. Work ethic = how she worked, how she memorized, her punctuality. Went quickly from being understudy to leads.Law and order used a lot of undernstudies.Residual = is the check she got two days ago for an episode she did 6 years ago. Like royalties. As long as the show runs somewhere, she gets a check. TV is a wonderful way to supplement income.She is in a union. Pay scale, pension, negotiations. (Actor’s Equity; AFLCIO – advocates for the actors)Actors were not respected before.Public Domain – around long enough that it can be done for free. It’s a classic.The Sides – a new version of the script.An Actor’s choices:Given circumstances – who, what, when, situation Playwright gives you everything you need to knowStakes – life or death The risk, the need, what are you willing to die/live forInciting incidentLooking at the verbs tells us everything, progression of the story, thought, roles etc.2/11/13 Directing TheatreDirector’s History –Fairly new role – around since early 20th century, created out of necessity. Theatre as a product as an audience of consumer, as a product worth valueOriginally: actors directed themselvesActor/manager or lead actor, most experiencedJob flourished during the Industrial Revolution.ProfessionalizationSingle Leader, “captain of the ship”. Making sure production as a whole looks, sounds and feels as it shouldRichard Wagner 1813-1883German opera composer and theatre manager, Beyreuth THeatrePrecursor to the modern director.Illusionistic theatre (spectacle“Director: the single most important figureWanted total control of productionA director’s responsibilities.Tell a story –Engage audienceInterpret the text –Collective understandingDirector’s conceptMake the material relevantPresent dayFocus the productionMaking cohesiveManage the workflowDirect energies, operationsIf direction is strong, usually not noticed, seems effortless; usually only notice flawsSome directors have a very specific style, iconic and recognizableThe Director’s processVery flexible – organic and/or structured.1. Play selection (possible, not always) – economic constraints of director2. Read and analyzeFirst, story enjoymentThen, deeper meaningFinally, formal analysis3. Conceptualize“The Director’s Concept”Lens through which we see the play.What is central/dominant theme, metaphor or image.Worshipful (script leading director) vs heretical (director’s responsibility to interpret the meaning of the script.)4. Concept meetings – with artistic collaborators5. Cast the play – auditions and callbacks6. Table Work – Read, play, familiarize7. Production meetings –8. Blocking – Physical life of play9. Character and relationship10. Final design metings.11. Big Picture Focus12. Technical/ Dress Rehearsals13. PreviewsTesting it all outRewritesRework scenesYou have an actual audience (a test audience to get feedback)03/03/2014 15:54:00← 1/28/13←← Why do we study theatre?← What makes theatre theatre?← How do audiences negotiate the theatre experience?← What are the rules of theatre etiquette?←← Why does our generation prefer film to theatre?← Cost← Accessibility← Visual Culture (Theatre = Aural)← Advertising←← “Graying of the American Audience”←← Why do we study theatre?←← Universality of theatre – all cultures have performances.← Theatrical Impulse- Aristotle The Poetics (335 BC) – humans have innate mimetic desire in humans (mimesis = imitation)←← The definition of theatre ←← Theatre must have:← 1) an actor← 2) a story – something has to occur← 3) a audience ← 4) “Liveness” – it’s a live experience. This factor is most
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