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HISTORY OF THEATER ARTS, Tragedy, download (3) - Coggle Diagram

- - - - Has an element of moral dilemma or ambiguity
      - Explores the lives of middle class and working class people
      - Depicts life as it really is (realistic, relatable characters and settings)
      - Often makes a social or political comment
      - Has a contemporary setting (stories are set at the time when they’re written)
    - - Has a pessimistic view of society
        
        Presents characters as being controlled by their biological, economic and environmental circumstances
        
        Uses Darwinian scientific theories such as the survival of the fittest
        
        Concentrates almost entirely on working class characters
    - - Henrik Ibsen
        
        Major Works:
        
        Brand
        
        Peer Gynt
        
        An Enemy of the People
        
        A Doll’s House
        
        Hedda Gabler
        
        Ghosts
        
        The Wild Duck
        
        When We Dead Awaken
        
        The Master Builder
        
        His realistic and psychologically complex plays, which broke away from the melodramatic and frequently romanticized dramas of his day, transformed modern drama.
        
        Born in Skien in Telemark 20 March 1828, died in Kristiania (now Oslo) 23 May 1906.
        
        Norwegian playwright, theater director and poet, and considered the father of modern realistic drama.
      - Anton Chekhov
        
        He was a major Russian playwright and perhaps the foremost modern writer of the short story.
        
        His technique, which rejected traditional plotting. Chekhov's technique involves the concept of Psychological Gesture, which employs physical movements to evoke emotional and psychological states in the actor.
        
        Born on January 29, 1860 and died on July 15, 1904.
        
        : :Major Works
        
        The Cherry Orchard
        
        The Seagull
        
        The Three Sisters
        
        Uncle Vanya
  - - - Avant-Garde Movement
        
        When applied to a piece of work, the descriptor refers to something that pushes or challenges the norm with radical or bizarre ideas and presentation.
        
        Famous Avant-Garde Works in Contemporary Art
        
        Bed-In for Peace by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, 1969.
        
        Black Square by Kazimir Malevich, 1915
        
        Angelus Novus by Paul Klee, 1920
        
        Guernica by Pablo Picasso, 1937
        
        The House with the Ocean View by Marina Abramovic, 2002
        
        Undiscovered Genius of the Mississippi Delta by Jean-Michel Basquiat, 1983
        
        Merda d’artista by Piero Manzoni, 1961
        
        Like America and America Likes Me by Joseph Beuys, 1974
        
        Spiral Jetty by Robert Smithson, 1970
        
        Avant-garde is a French term that translates directly to “advance guard”.
      - Experimental Theater
        
        Experimental Theater (also known as avant-garde theater) began in Western theater in the late 19th century with Alfred Jarry and his Ubu plays as a rejection of both the age in particular and, in general, the dominant ways of writing and producing plays.
- - - - Postmodern theatre forces the audience to reevaluate the boundaries between art and reality, and it discards the idea of theatre as a representation of life.
      - Postdramatic theatre is a term coined by German theater scholar Hans-Thies Lehmann in his book Postdramatic Theatre. It represents a departure from traditional, text based, and plot-driven drama. Lehmann introduces the term ‘postdramatic theatre’ to describe a shift away from the traditional dramatic elements of plot, character, and dialogue.
      - Characteristics of Postmodern Theatre
        
        Non-linear and fragmented narratives
        
        Emphasis on the live
        
        Embodied performance itself
        
        Blurring the boundaries between the stage and the audience
        
        Challenging the conventional separation between performer and spectator.
        
        focused on the performative and visual aspects of theatre rather than a structured narrative.
      - Key Figures of Postmodern Theatre
        
        Caryl Churchill
        
        Caryl Churchill (born September 3, 1938, London, England) is a British playwright whose work frequently deals with feminist issues, abuses of power, and sexual politics.
        During her tenure as resident dramatist at London’s Royal Court Theatre, Churchill wrote Objections to Sex and Violence (1974), which, though not well-reviewed. Cloud 9 (1979), a farce about sexual politics, was successful in the United States as well as in Britain, winning an Obie Award in 1982 for playwriting. The next year she won another Obie with Top Girls (1982), which deals with women losing their humanity in order to attain power in a male-dominated environment. Softcops (produced 1984), a surreal play set in 19th-century France, about government attempts to depoliticize illegal acts, was produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company.
        
        Robert Wilson
        
        Robert Wilson (born Oct. 4, 1941, Waco, Texas, U.S.) is an American playwright, director, and producer who is known for his avant-garde theatre works.
        He produced Japanese Noh plays, standard operas such as The Magic Flute and Salome, and 12-hour-long theatre pieces. Among his best-known works were The Life and Times of Joseph Stalin (1974); Einstein on the Beach (1976), on which he collaborated with composer Philip Glass; Death, Destruction, and Detroit (1979); and The Civil Wars (1983).
    - - As an art form, theatre is composed of humans who perform a certain narrative of conflict and resolution through the use of audiovisual manipulations in a transformed space that is shared by an audience in real-time. In this sense, theatre is the same across the globe
        
        Innovations in Global Theater
        
        These innovations have the potential to redefine the future of theater festivals, making them even more immersive, engaging, and relevant.
        
        AR/VR
        
        Virtual reality and augmented reality are making waves in the entertainment industry. Imagine being transported into the world of the play, interacting with the characters, and to some extent, influencing the story.
        
        Green Theater
        
        We might see plays with themes centered around environmental issues, use of recycled materials for sets and costumes, and even carbon-neutral festivals.
        
        Global Simulcasts
        
        In the future, you might not need to travel to other countries to experience their famous festivals. With the help of technology, performances could be simulcast globally, allowing you to enjoy them from the comfort of your home.
- - - - The Chester Mystery Plays: These plays were performed in Chester, England, and were a cycle of 25 plays that covered the fall of Lucifer to the Last Judgment.
      - The N-Town Plays: Also known as the Ludus Coventriae, these plays were performed in East Anglia, England. The N-Town Plays consisted of a cycle of 42 plays that included biblical stories and episodes from the lives of saints.
      - The Wakefield Mystery Plays: Also known as the Towneley Plays, these were performed in Wakefield, England. The Wakefield Mystery Plays consisted of a cycle of 32 plays that depicted biblical stories from the creation to the resurrection of Christ.
    - - Morality Plays- type of medieval drama that emerged in the late Middle Ages and were distinct from the religious themes of liturgical drama.
        
        The Play of Adam: A medieval drama that reenacts the biblical story of Adam and Eve's fall from grace in the Garden of Eden. This play was often performed as part of liturgical cycles, particularly during the season of Lent, to educate the audience about the consequences of sin and the need for redemption.
        
        The play of the Prodigal Son: a dramatization of the biblical parable from the Gospel of Luke. It combines elements of morality and liturgical drama to highlight themes such as repentance, forgiveness, and a father's unconditional love. The play conveys moral lessons about redemption, humility, and divine mercy, bridging the gap between religious and ethical instruction.
        
        The Play of the Sacrament: It is a medieval drama that blends elements of liturgical ritual with a moral lesson. It was performed as part of the Feast of Corpus Christi, a Christian festival celebrating the Eucharist. The play dramatizes the miracle of the Eucharist and emphasizes the significance of the sacrament in Christian belief.
  - - - Boeing-Boeing by Marc Camoletti: a classic French farce adapted into English. The plot centers on Bernard, a bachelor engaged to three flight attendants from different countries. The comedy arises when their flight schedules change, causing their visits to overlap. Bernard scrambles to prevent them from meeting each other, leading to a series of frantic and humorous situations.
      - Lend Me a Tenor by Ken Ludwig: a farce play set in a hotel suite during a high-stakes opera performance. The play follows the chaos that ensues when a famous tenor goes missing, leading to a series of mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and comedic mishaps as the characters try to salvage the show.
      - Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring: a dark comedy farce that revolves around the Brewster family, particularly the elderly aunts who poison lonely old men as an act of charity. The play mixes elements of murder, mistaken identities, and absurd humor to create a comedic yet macabre story that keeps the audience entertained.
    - - Pantomime: Pantomime, or "panto," is a form of comedic theater that often incorporates elements of folk tradition, fairy tales, and audience interaction. Pantomimes are popular in the United Kingdom during the holiday season and feature exaggerated characters, slapstick humor, and musical numbers.
      - Morris Dance: Morris dance is a traditional English folk dance that often includes elements of drama and storytelling. Dancers, often adorned in bells and colorful costumes, perform intricate choreography accompanied by music. Morris dance plays may incorporate themes of seasonal change, fertility rituals, or historical events, and they are commonly performed during festivals and celebrations.
      - Passion Plays: While passion plays are often associated with religious contexts, there are secular versions that focus on historical or cultural narratives rather than religious themes. These plays, which can be found in various cultures around the world, depict dramatic events such as battles, love stories, or legendary feats through theatrical performances that engage and entertain audiences.
- - - - ELIZABETH THEATER
        
        • The first permanent public theater in England was built in It was called the Theatre.
        
        The design of it and other theaters was inspired by the Greek and Roman amphitheaters.
        
        • Famous Playwrights from the English Renaissance
        
        Christopher Marlowe
        
        Thomas Kyd
        
        Ben Jonson
        
        William Shakespeare
        
        • Types of plays popular during this time period:
        
        Comedies
        
        Tragedies
        
        History Plays
        
        • Only men and boys were allowed on stage.
        
        Young boys whose voices had not changed played women’s roles, it would have been considered indecent for a woman to appear on stage.
        
        • Development of English Renaissance Theatre - During Bubonic Plague, regulations restricted travel—had to have a license. Entertainers also needed licenses. English noblemen would buy licenses for their group of actors (acting troupe or company) – this protected them from harsh laws. The nobleman was their patron, and they performed to please him.
        Sometime acting companies/troupes would perform in courtyards of inns and taverns (inn-yards)
        
        • When Elizabeth I came to the throne in 1558, she had to deal with this. Eventually government banned religious theater Licensing Acts of 1559 – allowed for theater under governmental control.
        
        • Sometimes referred to as the Elizabethan Age or “the Golden Age” of England. Queen Elizabeth I ruled from 1558 to (Henry VIII; Bloody Mary)
        
        Elizabethan Theatre, sometimes called English Renaissance theater, refers to that style of performance plays which blossomed during the reign of Elizabeth I of England (r. 1558-1603).
        
        • The Globe Theatre.
        
        built in 1599 on the banks of the Thames River in Southwark, London (built from pieces of The Theatre)
        
        Shakespeare was part owner; many of his plays were performed here. His acting company was the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (and then the King’s Men).
        
        • The Globe Theatre
        
        Burned to ground in 1613; rebuilt but then destroyed in 1644.
        
        A brand new Globe was built in 1997, close to the original location.
        
        Especially during the rule of Elizabeth I, England was a great nation. Elizabeth I helped to make theater popular and appreciated in England
        Theatre was England’s greatest contribution to the Renaissance. Theatre continued to evolve in England until Oliver Cromwell came along.
        
        • There were 9 public theaters:
        The Rose
        The Fortune
        The Globe
        The Theatre
        The Swan
        The Hope
        The Curtain
        
        2 others
        
        The theaters were built outside London City limits; flag announced play.
        
        • Private theater are:
        For the wealthy and nobitlity Indoors, candlelight, expensive
        By invitation only organized by the Master of Revels
        Resembled proscenium stages in Italy
        Often performed court masques
      - • Shakespeare updated the simplistic, two-dimensional writing style of pre-Renaissance drama. He focused on creating human characters with psychological complexity. Hamlet is perhaps the most famous example of this.
      - • The upheaval in social hierarchy allowed Shakespeare to explore the complexity and humanity of every character, regardless of their social position.
      - • Shakespeare was born toward the end of the broader Europe-wide Renaissance period, just as it was peaking in England. He was one of the first playwrights to bring the Renaissance’s core values to the theater.
      - • Shakespeare utilized his knowledge of Greek and Roman classics when writing his plays. Before the Renaissance, these texts had been suppressed by the Catholic Church.
      - Queen Elizabeth I forced conversions and drove practicing Catholics underground with her imposition of the Recusancy Acts. These laws required citizens to attend worship in Anglican churches. If discovered, Catholics faced stiff penalties or even death.
      - Shakespeare was very much a product of the radical cultural shifts that were occurring in Elizabethan England during his lifetime.
        When Shakespeare was working in the theater, the Renaissance movement in the arts was peaking in England. The new openness and humanism are reflected in Shakespeare’s plays.
      - Despite these laws, Shakespeare did not appear to be afraid to write about Catholicism nor to present Catholic characters in a favorable light.
        Catholic characters included Friar Francis ( "Much Ado About Nothing"), Friar Laurence ("Romeo and Juliet"), and even Hamlet himself.
      - • At the very least, Shakespeare’s writing indicates a thorough knowledge of Catholic rituals. Regardless of what he may have been doing secretly, he maintained a public persona as an Anglican.
    - - The Commedia dell’Arte was a traveling troupe of players that would put on humorous improv-based productions throughout Italy in the 16th century. It was the birth of Improvisation as a performance art and theater students have celebrated this fun and creative form.
        
        Performances took place on temporary stages, often in the streets. The better troupes performed in palaces and became internationally famous. The performances would have music, dance, witty dialogue, and all kinds of silliness. Each player would have stock characters, stock situations, and memorized speeches. A stock character refers to a fictional character based on a common social stereotype.
        
        Clearly inspired by two ancient Roman writers of comedy: Plautus and Terence.
        
        Commedia dell’arte is usually composed of 10-12 actors per troupe (male and female). They should be:
        
        Quick and witty
        
        Acrobatic, or at least able to do physical comedy
        
        Actors are given a scenario.
        They improvise the dialogue
        
        Slapstick comedy
        
        Pratfall, Double-take. Spit-take
        
        Exaggerated action and violence
        
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- - - - Ancient Greek Theatre: Began in 5th century B.C. Athens.
        
        Dramatic Productions: Primarily tragedies.
        
        Elements: Blend of legends, myths, dance, music, poetry.
        
        Performances: Often at religious festivals.
        
        Festivities: Included orgiastic rites honoring Dionysus.
        
        Dionysus: God of Fertility and wine.
        
        Worship: Ecstatic, involving fertility symbols, poetry, wine.
        
        Influence: Emergence of Greek Comedy plays.
      - Greek tragedy: Flourished in ancient Greece from late 6th century BCE.
        
        Performance: Open-air theaters at religious festivals; led to Greek comedy.
        
        Origins: Debate between connection to lyrical performance of epic poetry and rituals associated with worship of Dionysus.
        
        Early format: One actor in costume and mask, often impersonating a god.
        
        Dionysus: Connected to rituals, became known as god of theater; link to drinking rites and loss of control of emotions.
        
        Prominent playwrights: Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides; works remained influential for centuries.
        
        Comedy
        
        Ancient Greek Comedy, including the works of playwrights like Menander, enjoyed widespread popularity influence throughout ancient Greece.
        
        These comedic plays often targeted politicians, philosophers, and artists, offering humorous aand critiques of their behaviors and ideas.
        
        Beyond entertainment, the plays provided a valuable glimpse into Greek society, offering indirect commentary on its norms, values, and societal concerns.
        
        Key Playwrights
        
        Sophocles -- Sophocles of Kolōnos, a renowned Greek tragedian, was one of the three great Greek tragedians, alongside Aeschylus and Euripides.
        
        Euripides, a prominent Greek tragedian, is celebrated for his mastery in creating emotionally powerful situations and a human passion, particularly the compelling force of love, especially in women.
        
        Aristophanes - - Aristophanes' legacy is defined by the sharp wit of his dialogue, his generally light-hearted yet occasionally biting satire, and his masterful use of parody. Among his approximately 40 plays, 11 have survived to modern times, including renowned works like "The Clouds," "The Wasps," "The Birds," "Lysistrata," and "The Frogs."
        
        Impersonating God in Greek Mask
  - - - Roman plays drew from multiple influences, all filtered through a distinctly Roman lens. From the Etruscans they adopted many shorter play styles, as well as a habit of incorporating acrobats, dancers, and other kinds of circus-like performances into their productions. From the Greeks, the Romans adopted more formal theatrical forms, as well as many themes.
      - The Romans expanded beyond theater as a dramatic entertainment form, developing and perfecting various other forms of entertainment,
        
        Chariot racing
        
        Equestrian performances
        
        Acrobatics
        
        Wrestling
        
        Prizefighting
        
        Gladiator contests
      - Roman Playwrights
        
        PLAUTUS
        
        Titus Maccius Plautus, better known simply as Plautus (actually a nickname meaning 'flatfoot'), was, between c. 205 and 184 BCE, a Roman writer of comedy plays, specifically the fabulae palliatae, which had a Greek-themed storyline. His plays are the earliest complete surviving works from Latin theatre and they are noted for adding even more outrageous comedy to traditional comic plays. Plautus is also celebrated as a developer of characterisation and a master of verbal acrobatics. Finally, the plays are a rich and valuable source of information regarding contemporary Roman society.
        
        Twenty complete plays by Plautus survive along with around 100 lines of Vidularia (The Suitcase) and fragments from several others. This body of work was first attributed to Plautus by the 1st century BCE Roman scholar Varro
        
        Early works:
        
        Cistellaria (The Casket Comedy)
        
        Miles Gloriosus (The Swaggering Soldier)
        
        Stichus (200 BCE)
        
        Pseudolus (191 BCE)
        
        Later works:
        
        Bacchides (The Bacchis Sisters)
        
        Casina
        
        Persa (The Persian)
        
        Trinummus (Threepence)
        
        Truculentus (The Ferocious Fellow
        
        Lucius Annaeus Seneca (Seneca the Younger, l. 4 BCE - 65 CE) was a Roman author, playwright, orator, and most importantly a tutor and advisor to the Roman emperor Nero (r. 54-68 CE). Influenced by Stoic philosophy, he wrote several philosophical treatises and 124 letters on moral issues, the Epistulae Morales (Moral Epistles).
        
        SENECA
        
        Most of his treatises were written as ethical dialogs often to his good friend Lucilius.
        
        Epistulae Morales (Moral * Epistles)
        
        De Vita Beata
        
        De Beneficiis
        
        De Tranquillitate Animi
        
        De Brevitate Vitae
        
        De Consolatione ad Polybium