Theater Appreciation 9/10/08

Theater Appreciation 9/10/08 What is theater? ?A man walks across (an empty space whilst someone else is watching him, and this is all that is needed for an act of theater.? ? Peter Brook, The Empty Space Performance Doers, something done, and audience, a performance site, movement throughout time. *Ephemeral Performance lasts a relatively short time Unrecoverable in its original form Different every time. -What separates theater from other performances? In other performances, they are themselves. It?s artificial- it resembles the thing it copies (actors) No practical use. Produces an aesthetic response: an appreciation of beauty. There?s a story in theater. Relies on action to bind it together: narrative. Theater Theater- from Greek, theatron- a place for seeing. The stage itself The building in which its found A theatrical company The sensory appreciation of live performance event. The Theater vs. TV/Movies Economics of mass production *The immediacy of theater: happens NOW. The risk of the theatrical experience/ the unexpected. (Will you enjoy it?) Dialogue between audience/performer. Storytelling We are drawn to stories We look for narrative/ we want questions answered. Stories reflect the human condition. Conflict keeps us engaged. Humanities way of understanding our lives and the world. - *Theater: a vicarious experience. Experience something by watching it done by someone else. Plot The Strip Tease: a good play (story) creates, prolongs, subverts, and satisfies audiences? expectations. Drama and Sex (courtship) Initial interest Development of attraction Followed by: involvement with subject. Followed by: setting of a goal Followed by: pursuit Obstacles to overcome Generation of suspense and tension (enjoyably frustrating) Resulting in success (climax) and satisfaction A cigarette * = Something he says will be on the test.