Lecture 1

Theatre 100: Introduction to Theatre The Ohio State University Dr. Nicholas Dekker Lecture Outline Purposes & Strengths of Live Performance I. Why Study Theatre? A.What do you think of theatre? Theatre has many stereotypes and is for a certain audience... B.Why study it? 1. Theatre is the root of all drama 2. Film and T.V. are built from theatre 3. It is a natural part of ourselves...storytelling C.Plays are questions 1. Engage ideas pubicly and collectively 2. Theatre can think, question, change D.Theatre is entertainment! 1. A place to laugh or be awed 2. Storytelling plus spectacle E.Theatre offers community 1. Place to face interaction is important 2. Similarities to religion...like worshipping 3. A place to debate and enjoy ourselves collectively 4. How does experiencing something as a group change your reaction?...like watching a funny movie alone vs in a group II. Why Liveness Matters A.Audience/performer relationship 1. Audience completes the event 2. They react to each other in the moment 3. Actor + Audience= Theatre B. Theatre & film 1.Theatre a. intimate interaction with audience b. each performance is unique c. many collaberators d. requires audience to engage 2.Film a. recorded b. every performance is the same c. many collaberators d. blanks alraedy filled in C. How does a theatre production connect with its audience? 1.Conventions a. rules of the game b. contract between audience and players c. agrees to what is real d. conentions change 2.Two Basic Conventions a. presentational-nonrealistic b. representational-realistic III. Theatre & Storytelling A.Stage is a metaphore for life B.Theatre focuses on human stories C.We naturally tell stories