Introduction to Theatre

Introduction

CHAPTER ONE Theatre and the Aesthetic Experience

What Is Art?

What Is Theatre?

Theatre vs. Film and the Movie in Our Minds

The Empty Stage

The Relationship between the Audience and the Play

“The Fourth Wall”

Suggested Activities

CHAPTER TWO Theatre and Storytelling

Narrative

Conflict

The Dollar Bill Exercise

Plot

CASE STUDY: Doubt by John Patrick Shanley

CRITICAL Questions

SKILLS FOCUS: Creating Effective Interview Questions

Suggested Activities

RECOMMENDED READING

CHAPTER THREE The Theatrical Environment

Theatrical Environment

The Relationship of an Audience to the Action

Theatrical Environment as World

Stage Directions

Representation and Imagination 37

Suggested Activity

INTERVIEW: Joe Silovsky, Set Designer & Performance Artist

SKILLS FOCUS: Research and Annotated Bibliographies

Suggested Activity

RECOMMENDED READING and viewing

CHAPTER FOUR Creating Theatre

Creative Collaboration

Concept

Production Models

Ensemble Theatre

Non-Narrative and/or Non-Text Based Work

Work Requiring Special Training

Devised Theatre

Commercial vs. Non-Profit Theatre

Broadway vs. Off-Broadway (and Off-Off Broadway)

Theatre Outside of New York City

INTERVIEW: Broadway Producer Cheryl Wiesenfeld

INTERVIEW: Costume Designer Carrie Robbins

CASE STUDY: The Laramie Project by Moisés Kaufman and

The Members of Tectonic Theatre Project

critical questions

SKILLS FOCUS: Being a Great Audience Member

Suggested Activities

RECOMMENDED READING and viewing

CHAPTER FIVE The Performer

Training

OUTSIDE IN: Delsarte’s System

INSIDE OUT: Stanislavski’s System

Preparation and Rehearsal

Improvisation

Improvisation and Community-Based Work

INTERVIEW: Hai-Ting Chinn, Performer

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY

RECOMMENDED READING

Forum Theatre Experience Rehearsal Report

CHAPTER SIX Theatre and Society

Mainstream and the Avant-Garde

Musical Theatre

Political Theatre

Translation and Adaptation

INTERVIEW: Composer/Lyricist/Playwright Adam Overett

INTERVIEW: Dramaturg Ken Cerniglia

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY

RECOMMENDED READING AND VIEWING

CHAPTER SEVEN Defining Your Personal Aesthetic

Writing What You Believe about Theatre

SKILLS FOCUS: Manifestos and Personal Statements

INTERVIEW: Artistic Director of Rhymes Over Beats, Patrick Blake

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

RECOMMENDED READING AND VIEWING

APPENDIX Worksheets for Group Project