Thet-110 notesThet 110 Why do we prefer movies to theater?-Price-Accessible-Less Strict Rules of Etiquette-Visual Culture-Theater is an oral art-Film is edited more for error-Quality is always consistent -AdvertisingProblem?-“Graying of the American audience”- Audiences are getting older and older with no one to replace themWhy do we Study Theater?-University of theater-Every culture has theatrical performances-Theatrical Impulse-Aristotle wrote “the poetics”-We have an innate mimetic desire (Desire to imitate) Definition of Theater: Must have an:A. ActorB. StoryC. AudienceD. LivelinessEric Bentley- “A performs B for C”3 way interactional ModelPerformer → AudienceAudience →PerformerAudience ← → Audience-Theater requires Action-Theater uses Actors (Impersonation)-Theater is a hybrid form-Theater is a collaborative form-Theater relies on liveliness-Theater is Ephemeral- Theater is fleeting and impermanent, so you can never recapture a show from the past How do audiences negotiate theater events?Theater Conventions- Rules, practices or shorthand that audiences agree to accept Willing, Suspension or Disbelief- Although audiences know events of a play are not real, they agree for the moment to disbelieve themAesthetic Distance-Audience remember that events on stage are not real so they do not interveneTragedy and the Common Man-Tragedy is man striving for personal dignity-Tragic Flaw- Inherent unwillingness to remain passive in the face of what he conceives to be a challenge to his dignityTheatre Etiquette1. Beforea. Business casualb. Arrive early 10-15 minc. Read programd. Assign seatinge. Don’t smell2. Duringa. Site lines (tall, hair, hat)b. Avoid noisec. Phones3. Aftera. No leaving earlyb. Standing ovationsc. The three block rule ( give distance by talking about it)How to think critically about a performance-Theater production is the sum of a set of choices-Playwright, artistic director, director, director’s concept-Playwright-Subject, character, theme-Arthur Miller-Classic Tragedy-Common Man-Not likable main character-Ironic Ending-Charlie- Willy’s FOIL (contrasts what Willy could have been)-Artistic- Loman- Low man(common man)-Artistic Director-Director-Hired by artistic director-Director’s Concept- Overall image for the play- What does the director want to say with the play-Family Relationships (father/son)-Image of the American Dream-Designers-ActorsWriting a response paperBehind every response to theatre there are three primary questions-What was attempted?-Was it accomplished?-Was it valuable?Death of a SalesmanWhat are specific differences between the two productions?-Biff seemed younger in the first production. Different ages mean different places in life-chosen by director. Playwright and actor influence also.-Biff cries into shoulder versus into camera. Collapses into his dad’s embrace in the second production-More violent in the first production-Cobb fit the worn down role despite being larger-Starting point in the kitchen versus outside-Cobb seems like he has dementia, whereas Hoffman is still fighting it-Line changes in both -House was rundown in the first production versus nicer more antiques- putting up a front in the second house. 1st production is living month to month-Beige and white was livelier in the first one versus gray in the secondHow do these two productions feel different?Which production was more effective? Why?-First production more dramatic (emotional shifts)History of Directing-Richard Wagner (1813-1883)-Unified Production/ gesam kunstwerk-Everything should be telling the same story-Master Artist- Eyes outside the production to make sure everything was going right-Director’s concept or thematic Thrust- overall image or metaphor for the play-Directors main jobs are: Interpretation, Unification (making sure all elements work together for interpretation-master artist), and CommunicationScot Rese- Director-Music Major at Illinois-Degree in theatre and music-Days of our live, Young and the Restless-Talk shows in NY-Got MFA (Master Fine Arts) at northwestern-Won daytime Emmy while on Talk shows-Interpreter-chooses play and then give his view of it to an audience-Collaborator- unified production with actors, designers, etc.-Communicator-Get it to the audience-Thematic Thrust- how far would you go to keep up with the Joneses? -Read Script (6-10 times)-Research- anything involving play or writer-Meet with designers- give his research, gives his concept (concept meeting)-Designers come back with their own research, need to be on the same page-designers give roughs of sets, ground plan, costumes-Send the design to the shops-Casting- monologues-Call backs with other people and scenes-Has understudy castCasting to type (picking based on specifications of role) or casting best person for the job-Rehearsal- Designers give actors models and research -Table read (2-3 days)-Blocking Rehearsals- props, standing- read scene than talk about it-Organic Blocking- let the scenes and motion come about naturally-Trafficking blocking-Director tells them exactly where to go-Design Run-On stage rehearsal-Technical Rehearsal- rehearsal with props, lights, everything besides costume (3-4 days)-Dress rehearsals-Opening-Director Leaves- Stage manager runs the show- Show is frozen-Can’t change scriptActing - Differences between theater acting and film acting?o More animation in theatero Live- no room for error in theatero Actor has to attract attention of audience whereas the director shows in film- What is Good Acting? Bad Acting?o Believability- What Is Acting?o Impersonate, imitate o How would I do that?- beginning of the actors processo “The thing about performance, even if it’s only an illusion is that it is a celebration of the fact that we do not contain within ourselves infinite possibilities.”-Daniel Day Lewis - Skills of the Actoro Focus and Concentrationo Openness and Relaxationo Curiosity and Playfulnesso Thick Skin- Approaches to Actingo Internal Approach Identifying as closely as possible with the emotional life of the character portrayed How does the character feel? Konstantin Stanislavsky (1863-1938)- Developed a system for acting- Most taught acting system in America Key Terms- Given circumstances and Imagined circumstances- The magic “What if?” personalization - Super Objective/Objective/Intention o External Approach Shaping character by making conscious physical and vocal choices How does the character
View Full Document
Unlocking...