Theatre History Terms Chap 14

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Existentialism

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obvious impact from WWII
believed that:
-there was little meaning to existence
-that God does not exist
-that humanity is alone in an irrational universe
-the only significant action one can take is the accept responsibility for ones deeds

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J.P. Sartre

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French, existentialist playwright, novelist, literary critic, etc.
Awarded Nobel Prize for Lit. but refused
Plays:
“The Files” bases on “Oresteia”
“No Exit”
“The Respectful Prostitute”
“The Condemned of Altona”

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No Exit (1944)

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existentialist play
Written by J.P. Sarte

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A. Camus

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French, an existentialist, author, philosopher, journalist
won Nobel Prize for literature
Contemporary of Satre

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Theatre of the Absurd

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a theatrical movement following WWII
combined existential philosophy withe revolutionary, avant-garde dramatic form
believed: -much of what happens in life cannot be explained
-life is ridiculous or absurd
-attempted to reflect this in dramatic action of plays
-presents human existence/language/relationships as futile or absurd
-use of illogical dramatic techniques
-doesn't follow traditional climactic or episodic structures
-plot tends to be circular
-non-realistic characters, w/little expository info about them
-setting is strange, unrecognizable, or seemingly normal turned topsy-turvy
-language is sparse, dialogue makes little sense, and characters fail to communicate

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Samuel Beckett

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absurdist playwright
considered to be one of the major writers of the post WWII generation
dramas dealt with:
-dullness of routine
-the futility of human action
-inability of humans to communicate
wrote "Waiting for Godot"

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"Waiting for Godot" (1953)

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"a tragicomedy in two acts"
Absurdist play
Written by Samuel Beckett
Main characters: Vladimir and Estragon
They wait for man named Godot, who never appears. Instead they meet a Landowner named Pozzo and a slave named Lucky. Later a messenger boy comes and tells them that Godot will not be coming today, but promises to come tomorrow.
Modern allegory for waiting for the unknowable, how are lives are defined by an absurd waiting rather than our actions

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cold war

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the continuing state of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition existing after World War II (1939–1945), primarily between the Soviet Union and its satellite states, and the powers of the Western world, particularly the United States. Each trying to establish military superiority and extend its sphere of influence

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Korean War

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an attempt to prevent communist North Korea from invading South Korea.

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Vietnam War

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in late 60's early 70's. US war in Vietnam to support anti-communist government and repel communist Vietnamese government. Met with antiwar sentiment, including draft resistance and sit-ins that often turned violent.

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Middle East (1945- 1975)

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Series of wars in the middle east, following the founding of the state of Israel. Product of Israeli and Arab nationalism.

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United Nations

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Institution founded after WWII to work towards worldwide peace. Nationalistic fever often prevented UN from resolving international conflicts.

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Third World Nations

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breaking of colonial rule after WWII resulted in many third world nations that have rich resources but are still struggling to create a self-sustainable economy. Many third world countries are/were wracked with political turmoil e.g. Uganda and Iran

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Assassinations

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1945-1970 was a period of general social unrest. In the US. a series of assassinations claimed the lives of:
John F. Kennedy
Robert Kennedy
Martin Luther King, Jr
John Lennon
-Terrorist organisation throughout the world use/d violence as means of publicizing political discontent-

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civil rights/gay rights/women's rights

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civil rights, gay rights, and feminist movements forced people to reevaluate their perceptions of minorities and oppressed groups.

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Eugene Ionesco

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-one of the most productive absurdist playwrights.
-turned characters into caricatures and pushed dramatic action to the point of ridiculousness.
-language often seems nonsensical, futility of communication
-dramatized the absurdity of the human condition by presenting comedic characters who lose control of their own existance
-wrote "the bald soprano"

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"The Bald Soprano"

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absurdist play written by Ionesco
dialogue gotten from an English primer, characters are interchangable

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Harold Pinter

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the leading English-language absurdist playwright.
in his dramas:
-does not explain why things happen
-does not explain who people are
-existence within the world are enough
-introduction of menacing outside influences disrupt/upset a seemingly stable environment
-originated the "comedy of menace"

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Comedy of Menace

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plays that frighten and entertain at the same time.

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Alan Schneider

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absurdist director
directed "Waiting for Godot"

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Peter Hall

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-English absurdist director
-artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre
-eclectic director
-left National Theatre to start his own production company, dedicated to reviving old texts by historically significant authors

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Royal Shakespeare Company

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-grew out of Stratford Memorial Theatre
-noted for significant productions of new plays and revivals by important directors

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Royal National Theatre

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-founded as a gov't-subsidized theatre, after Old Vic had closed
-best known for revivals with major British and international directors and significant actors
-Laurence Olivier was its first artistic director, followed by Peter Hall

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Happenings

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-type of experimental theatre
-nonstructured events that occurred with a minimum of planning and organisation
-idea was that art should not be restricted to certain spaces (e.g. museums, galleries, concert halls), but can happen anywhere (e.g. street corner, grocery store, bus stop).
-happenings would usually only happen once
-like improv everywhere (e.g. pillow fight in union square)

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Multimedia

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-joins theatre with other arts, especially dance, film, and television.
-e.g. live performers interacting with sequences on film or television
-the idea is to fuse art forms or incorporate new technology into a theatrical event

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environmental theatre

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-phrase coined by american director Richard Schechner
-developed out of the work and theories of early 20th cent., avant-garde artists, including Meyerhold and Artaud.
-based on the idea that the entire theatre space was performance space
-implies that the division between performer and spectator is artificial

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Richard Schechner

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-environmental theatre director and teacher
-for every production the spatial arrangement of the theatre changed
-did not hold a script to be sacred or even essential
-allowed for both improvisation and reworking of the text

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Jerzy Grotowski

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-actor/director
-began the Polish Laboratory Theatre
-attracted worldwide attention
-more interested as theatre as an art form than as a political or social instrument

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"poor theatre"

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conceptualized by Grotowski
-stemmed from the question "what is theatre?"
-belief that the only two things necessary for theatre were the performer and the audience
-scenery, script, and other elements were considered less important

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selective realism

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a type of realism that heightens certain details of action, scenery, and dialogue while omitting others.
e.g Death of a Salesman "Broken Refrigerator"

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Arthor Miller

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-used selective realism
-focused on failure, guilt, responsibility for one's own actions, and the effects of society on the individual
-tries to make audience examine their own lives
wrote "Death of a Salesman"
realistic world, but used symbolism and flashbacks

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Tennessee Williams

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playwrite, used realism and selective realism
focused on the plight of society's outcasts, outsiders trapped in a hostile environment
-characters are usually victims who are unable to comprehend their world
-wrote "Glass Menagerie"

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Angry Young Men

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-a group of anti establishment playwrites
-dealt with the dissolving British gov't
-class conflict
-political disillusionment
-John Osborn, "Look Back in Anger"

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documentary drama

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based on historical documents
wanted audience to believe that they were watch history unfold

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Peter brooks

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International Theater Research Center
directed "Marat/Sade"

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The Empty Space

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theoretical work by Peter Brooks
-explores the process of theatre
-and avoids "deadly" commercialized theatre, which doesn't allow for experimentation

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Joseph Svoboda

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designer and technology director
combined live performances with images

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laterna magika

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mean "magic lantern'

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golden age of american musicals

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everything came together
story music lyrics combined with time mood and intention to create the american musical as we know it today

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golden age of american musicals

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everything came together
story music lyrics combined with tone mood and intention to create the american musical as we know it today

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off broadway

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started in 1945,
non-commerical plays and plarywrites
caters to a smaller audience

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off off broadway

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eventually when off broad way become more commercial, off off broadway served the same purpose as off broadway once did

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found spaces

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converted spaces not first intended to be theatres into theatre spaces

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The Living Theatre

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founded by Julian Beck and Judith Malina
-experimental theatre
-presented changes in society
-did poetic dramas and plays by avant-garde playwrites

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Ellen Stewart

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african american that founded cafe la mama

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cafe la mama

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theatre company
instrumental in introducing new playwrights and directors
e.g. Sam Shepard

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Joseph Papp

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started the NY shakespeare festival and founded Public Theatre

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NY Shakespeare Festival

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gives free shakespeare productions ever summer

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Public theater

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known for casting without regards to race

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regional theatre movement

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-small theatre companies began to do pieces relavant to their communities
-a permanent company operating in one community

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Lorraine Hansberry

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wrote A Raisin in the Sun

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A Raisin in the Sun

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considered to be a turning point in American theatre

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Amiri Baraka

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-prolific and provocative dramatist
-writes about African American's today
-vivid images of a racial torn america
-change the shape of protest drama and inspired a whole school of writing

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Negro Ensamble Company

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oldest African american company in continuous production today

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Douglas Turner Ward

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conceived and administer the NEC