Thornton Wilder, a playwright, was very influential on the world of theater. He found an artistic way to introduce the public to different ideas about theater which were not really portrayed in the plays of that time. In Our Town, the unique role of the Stage Manager displays and exhibits these ideas. Thornton Wilder’s use of the Stage Manager is one of his great concepts. Physically, there are no specific requirements of this part. He always has a hat on and may smoke a pipe (Austell 95). He feels dateless, in a way (96). When he speaks, he favors facts and often talks in different tenses (95; Papajewski 6). The Stage Manager is similar to an all-knowing writer of a book (Galens 229). He constantly seems to know what is going on with everyone in the
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Bouncing between narration and action, he acts as other characters. He is not confined to his role of the stage manager (Kuner 51-51). Throughout the play, the stage manager plays various roles, such as Mr. Morgan and the minister (Galens 227). He has little influence on what happens in the story. However, he is the most significant character and has the most lines (226). One of the interesting qualities of the Stage Manager is that he is not only a part of the audience, but also a part of the cast (Papajewski 4). He is viewing the play from an on-stage perspective, yet he is also in it. The stage manager has many duties he must fulfill to keep the audience interested and informed. When the production starts, the stage manager tells the audience that they will view a performance, what it will be about, and the cast (Haberman 22). Putting emphasis on the fact that it is a play, he tells the audience the names of the acts and stalks about the roles (Galens 227; Papajewski 4). In addition to this, he shows the viewers what is happening on stage (Burbank 76). He is very cheerful about showing people Grover’s Corners and gives details about the
Bouncing between narration and action, he acts as other characters. He is not confined to his role of the stage manager (Kuner 51-51). Throughout the play, the stage manager plays various roles, such as Mr. Morgan and the minister (Galens 227). He has little influence on what happens in the story. However, he is the most significant character and has the most lines (226). One of the interesting qualities of the Stage Manager is that he is not only a part of the audience, but also a part of the cast (Papajewski 4). He is viewing the play from an on-stage perspective, yet he is also in it. The stage manager has many duties he must fulfill to keep the audience interested and informed. When the production starts, the stage manager tells the audience that they will view a performance, what it will be about, and the cast (Haberman 22). Putting emphasis on the fact that it is a play, he tells the audience the names of the acts and stalks about the roles (Galens 227; Papajewski 4). In addition to this, he shows the viewers what is happening on stage (Burbank 76). He is very cheerful about showing people Grover’s Corners and gives details about the