teatr.us -- 2009
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DRAMATURGY AND EXPERIENCE: "I have found a good deal of directing and acting experience to be as essential for a dramaturg as a background in literature, playwriting or theatre history." Anne Cattaneo 20
They must know theory; how else can they compare one script with another. How can they find "their" personal reading (interpretation) -- it's required, when you are on stage.
Twenty years from now we won't be able to get away without PM methods.
I struggle with the title of this act #3 -- Theory? Maybe, Message, Thought, Idea? Remember the third element of the STRUCTURE?
SummaryPart I. CraftPart II. Art Part III. Theory Part IV. Play QuestionsIn THR215 Dramlit -- only an introduction to the main theories of drama (mostly historical), in THR413 Playscript Analysis -- in depth (with the emphasis on Postmodern theories).NotesLet us imagine a rising generation with this bold vision, this heroic desire for the magnificent, let us imagine the valiant step of these dragon-slayers, the proud daring with which they turn their backs on all the effeminate doctrines of optimism that they may "live resolutely," wholly, and fully: would it not be necessary for the tragic man of this culture, with his self-discipline of seriousness and terror, to desire a new art, the art of metaphysical comfort—namely, tragedy…" -- The Birth of TragedyTheatre Theory
Semiotics
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[ Warning (students in my live class); if you still didn't write outline, or some pages for you last assigment -- YOUR own scene, do it now! The last part (4) is WRITING the scenes! ]So, the Theatre Theory -- or -- What is Theatre?
It depends.
The century you live in (time), or the country (space). Also, it depends on you.
If you never saw live theatre (only 5% of Americans ever went to theatre), you never lived (my opinion) -- this is "theory" too: art is useless.
You think that theatre is silly -- theory again.
"Theatre is boring, but movies are great!" Serious theory. Film studies.
Shakespeare was a male! Feminism.
Shakespeare was white. Shakespeare lived in England. Shakespeare lived...
A lot of theories.
Why should we bother?
Because it helps to understand the plays. Understanding helps to act, direct or write plays.
Some methods (theories) are simple. Semiotics, for example. You can count the words Hamlet uses and compare with the words of Cladius -- structuralism.
You can read Hamlet from the Marxist perspective (if you know Marxism) -- you see many things which you missed without this POV.
Theory is a set of mind, another perspective, another take. If you want to do theatre, you better get theoretical.
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So, what is theatre?
A performing art
A graphic art
A literary art (although sometimes not written down)
A popular art (entertainment) - diversion for a mass audience.