Introduction to Theater:

1. Introduction to Theater: Chapter 1 You and the Theater

2. Stage language & conventions Ex: “Curtain going up…” “Places…” “Break a leg…” Conventions-special or traditional ways of doing things.

3. Dramatic Tradition 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. Drama-second only to dance as the oldest of the humanities.

4. Dramatic Tradition Drama- comes from a Greek word meaning “to do or to act.” Drama-second only to dance as the oldest of the humanities. Doing is what theater is all about! Acting Building Directing Writing Producing

5. 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.”

6. Essentials for Drama Actors

7. Essentials for Drama Actors Audience

8. Essentials for Drama Actors Audience Place

9. Essentials for Drama Actors Audience Place Lighting

10. The Ingredients of Drama Character (s)

11. The Ingredients of Drama Character (s) Situation-problem or challenge

12. The Ingredients of Drama • Drama becomes interesting when: • We empathize with the character. • There is conflict. Character (s) Situation-problem or challenge

13. The Ingredients of Drama • Drama becomes interesting when: • We empathize with the character. • There is conflict. Character (s) Situation-problem or challenge Empathy-emotional identity with someone or something outside one’s self. Sympathy is feeling sorry for someone, empathy is feeling with someone.

14. The Ingredients of Drama • Drama becomes interesting when: • We empathize with the character. • There is conflict. Character (s) Situation-problem or challenge 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.

15. More key terms:

16. More key terms: • script- drama that is written down.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. More key terms:

20. More key terms: • critique- the evaluation of a work or performance.

21. More key terms: • critique- the evaluation of a work or performance. • stage fright-the nervous anticipation of going on stage to perform.

22. 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 .

23. 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

24. The origins of Western Drama • Western drama originates in classical Greece.

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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)

28. Ancient Greek Theatre Many theaters seated up to 14,000.

29. Tragedy/ComedyMasks (Roman Period)

30. The origins of Western Drama Roman Period (27 BCE-476 CE) • The Romans adopted many of the Greek traditions in their theatre productions.

31. 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.

32. 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).

33. 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)

34. English Renaissance Theatre Period • Renaissance theatre derived from several traditions, such as mystery plays that formed a part of religious festivals in England.

35. 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.

36. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre –built circa 1599

37. Inside Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

38. 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.