Download Stage language & conventions

Introduction to Theater:
Chapter 1
You and the Theater
Stage language & conventions
Conventions-special or traditional ways
of doing things.
Ex: “Curtain going up…” “Places…” “Break a leg…”
Dramatic Tradition
Drama-second only to dance as the oldest
of the humanities.
Humanities-the areas of human interest which
attempt to answer eternal questions:
“Who am I?” “Why am I here?”
“Where am I going?”
The humanities include drama, music, art, literature, and philosophy.
Dramatic Tradition
Drama-second only to dance as the oldest
of the humanities.
Drama- comes from a Greek word meaning “to do or to act.”
Doing is what theater is all about!
Acting
Building
Directing
Writing
Producing
Dramatic Tradition
dance pre-done: the acting out of wished-for
events: a forerunner of ritualistic drama.
Drama- comes from a Greek word meaning “to do or to act.”
Essentials for Drama
1.
Actors
Essentials for Drama
Actors
2. Audience
1.
Essentials for Drama
Actors
2. Audience
3. Place
1.
Essentials for Drama
Actors
2. Audience
3. Place
4. Lighting
1.
The Ingredients of Drama
1.
Character (s)
The Ingredients of Drama
1.
2.
Character (s)
Situation-problem or challenge
The Ingredients of Drama
1.
2.
Character (s)
Situation-problem or challenge
Drama becomes interesting when:
•We empathize with the character.
•There is conflict.
The Ingredients of Drama
1.
2.
Character (s)
Situation-problem or challenge
Drama becomes interesting when:
•We empathize with the character.
•There is conflict.
Empathy-emotional identity with someone or something
outside one’s self. Sympathy is feeling sorry for
someone, empathy is feeling with someone.
The Ingredients of Drama
1.
2.
Character (s)
Situation-problem or challenge
Drama becomes interesting when:
•We empathize with the character.
•There is conflict.
Conflict-a struggle between two opposing forces.
The struggle can be with himself, another character, or with a force.
Ex: Hamlet struggled with himself. Robin Hood fought against authority.
More key terms:
More key terms:

script- drama that is written down.
More key terms:

script- drama that is written down.
Like a novel, a play almost always tells a story and has a
beginning, middle and an end. However, drama is
meant to be acted out-not merely read.
More key terms:

script- drama that is written down.
Like a novel, a play almost always tells a story and has a
beginning, middle and an end. However, drama is
meant to be acted out-not merely read.

legitimate theater – term used to
distinguish live performances from other
media-like TV and movies.
More key terms:
More key terms:

critique- the evaluation of a work or
performance.
More key terms:

critique- the evaluation of a work or
performance.

stage fright-the nervous anticipation of
going on stage to perform.
The study of drama:
Is the study of human nature.
 Improves the art of communicating.
(feelings, important events, political
statements, etc.)
 Allows you to become more expressive.
 Allows you to entertain-to make people
think, question, smile, laugh, and cry.
 Allows you to discover yourself .

Chapter 1 Vocabulary
1. Convention
2. Humanities
3. Drama
4. Dance pre-done
5. Situation
6. Conflict
7. Empathy
8. Script
9. Legitimate Theater
10. Critique
11. Stage fright
The origins of Western Drama

Western drama originates in classical
Greece.
The origins of Western Drama
Western drama originates in classical
Greece.
 The theatrical culture of the city-state of
Athens produced three genres of drama:
tragedy, comedy, and the satyr play.

The origins of Western Drama
Western drama originates in classical
Greece.
 The theatrical culture of the city-state of
Athens produced three genres of drama:
tragedy, comedy, and the satyr play.
 Writers (dramatists) participated in
competitions held as part of festivities
celebrating the god Dionysus.

The origins of Western Drama
Western drama originates in classical Greece.
 The theatrical culture of the city-state of Athens
produced three genres of drama: tragedy,
comedy, and the satyr play.
 Writers (dramatists) participated in competitions
held as part of festivities celebrating the god
Dionysus.
 Thespis was an early Greek dramatist.
(thespian)

Ancient Greek Theatre
Many theaters seated up to 14,000.
Tragedy/Comedy
Masks (Roman Period)
The origins of Western Drama
Roman Period (27 BCE-476 CE)
 The Romans adopted many of the Greek
traditions in their theatre productions.
The origins of Western Drama
Roman Period (27 BCE-476 CE)
 The Romans adopted many of the Greek traditions in
their theatre productions.
Medieval Period (fall of Roman empire thru 13th century)
 Most medieval theatre is not well documented due to:



a lack of surviving records and texts,
a low literacy rate of the general population,
and the opposition of the clergy to many types of performance.
It is known that mimes, minstrels, bards, storytellers, and jugglers
traveled in search of new audiences and financial support.
The origins of Western Drama
English Renaissance Theatre Period
aka Early Modern English theatre

"Elizabethan theatre" the plays written
and performed publicly in England during
the reign of Queen Elizabeth (1558–1603).
The origins of Western Drama
English Renaissance Theatre Period
aka Early Modern English theatre

"Elizabethan theatre" the plays written
and performed publicly in England during
the reign of Queen Elizabeth (1558–1603).

“Jacobean theatre” (associated with the
reign of King James I, 1603–1625)
English Renaissance Theatre Period

Renaissance theatre derived from several
traditions, such as mystery plays that
formed a part of religious festivals in
England.
English Renaissance Theatre Period

Renaissance theatre derived from several
traditions, such as mystery plays that formed a
part of religious festivals in England.

The Globe Theatre was a theatre London
associated with William Shakespeare. It was
built in 1599 by Shakespeare's playing company,
the Lord Chamberlain's Men.
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre –
built circa 1599
Inside Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
Modern Theater
Constantin Stanislavski
Theatre director and actor


Stanislavski organized his realistic techniques into a
coherent and usable “system.”
Most consider his “system” to be the forerunner of
American Method Acting.