It has been over four-hundred years since mankind was first introduced to the wonders of the theater by William Shakespeare. Now, while much has changed since the time of Shakespeare, the realm of theater has remained relatively the same. Plays today share the same purpose of those written centuries ago; to draw the audience into a world unlike their own and ensnare them in the story. This is done through many ways but as technology has progressed, playwrights have made a great use of modern technology in order to create a greater sense of realism and immersion for the audience. This ingenious use of technology to create spectacle is demonstrated perfectly in Tennessee Williams' play, The Glass Menagerie.
One way that Mr. Williams used spectacle to establish realism was through his use of screen projections during the play. This was ingenious in that it took modern cinema technology, and incorporated it perfectly into the theater. Mr. Williams used projectors to project certain images up …show more content…
Yes?
[IMAGE: AMANDA AS A GIRL ON A FRONT PORCH GREETING CALLERS] (The Glass Menagerie scene 1). Here Tennessee Williams projects an image of a younger Amanda to emphasize her flashback to her younger days as a “well-to-do” southern belle. Another way Tennessee Williams creates realism is through his intricate and detailed stage directions. According to Lone Star University professor Paula Schneider, “Detailed stage directions intensify the unrealistic setting, foreshadow and emphasize events, and develop the characters”. Even though the audience cannot directly see the stage directions, they do seem them expressed through the actors actions which not only creates a deeper understanding of the plot, but it allows the audiences to gain a deeper understanding of the characters as well. An example of this would be: AMANDA. Sister, that’s what you’ll do! [Laura utters a startled, doubtful laugh. She reaches quickly for a piece of glass.] (The Glass Menagerie scene
One way that Mr. Williams used spectacle to establish realism was through his use of screen projections during the play. This was ingenious in that it took modern cinema technology, and incorporated it perfectly into the theater. Mr. Williams used projectors to project certain images up …show more content…
Yes?
[IMAGE: AMANDA AS A GIRL ON A FRONT PORCH GREETING CALLERS] (The Glass Menagerie scene 1). Here Tennessee Williams projects an image of a younger Amanda to emphasize her flashback to her younger days as a “well-to-do” southern belle. Another way Tennessee Williams creates realism is through his intricate and detailed stage directions. According to Lone Star University professor Paula Schneider, “Detailed stage directions intensify the unrealistic setting, foreshadow and emphasize events, and develop the characters”. Even though the audience cannot directly see the stage directions, they do seem them expressed through the actors actions which not only creates a deeper understanding of the plot, but it allows the audiences to gain a deeper understanding of the characters as well. An example of this would be: AMANDA. Sister, that’s what you’ll do! [Laura utters a startled, doubtful laugh. She reaches quickly for a piece of glass.] (The Glass Menagerie scene