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Professor Boyd Wolz Introduction to Theatre 25 May 2024

Theatre Styles

https://www.classtools.net/Venn/202405-RomanandGreekTheatreMedievalEuropeTheatreAsianTheatreiaegaR link to our Venn diagram comparing theatre

Greek Tragedy Overview:

Greek Tragedy is a theater style that began between 550 BC and 220 BC. The style consists of themes such as tragedy, comedy, and satyr plays. The main focus included ideas of human demise, humor, or both joined with a chorus.

Costumes: The actors portraying the characters were always men, wearing masks of different emotions. The mask is designed for the actor to focus on this emotion while allowing one actor to play multiple roles.

Satyrs chorus: The chorus guided the audience. They would perform in ways such as singing, dancing, and commentary.

Influence: The majority of Greek Tragedy was drawn from the gods and morality. These often included elements for the main character to face in human nature of man vs man or man vs divided being.

Occupancy: These plays were held in outdoor theaters. These often included the theaters to be in an orchestra space on the side of a hill with a backdrop. The audience sat in a half-circle-tiered area.

Indian Theatre Theatre, as well as other arts, is based on the traditions and history of a civilization. Indian theatre is not exempt from this characteristic, so its dramas are based on Sanskrit. Sanskrit was the language of the noble classes. Between fifty and sixty plays in this language can be put into implemented circles. These works are considered among the best of their culture.

The Natyasastra is a document that describes the characteristics, elements, and meaning of Indian art. The rasa or flavor is a quality that enables viewers to surrender to a dramatic situation in search of a spiritual breakthrough or divine, metaphysical transcendence. Each acting troupe had a leader; the sudtradhara was the one who directed all the others and was the leading actor. Both men and women acted, but the men took on the leading roles.

The stage "was ninety-six feet long and forty-eight feet wide, divided equally into stage and auditorium, and its seating capacity was probably between 200 and 500" (Wilson, 2021, pg. 299). The stage was divided by a curtain. It is believed that they did not use scenery, but records suggest the costumes were remarkably elaborate. Among the famous works, we have The Little Clay Cart and Shakuntala.

Notable playwrights include Asvaghosa, Bhasa, and Kalidasa. The tradition in Sanskrit disappeared after the invasion of the Arabs, which also took with it characteristic aspects of classical art.

Japanese Bunraku Puppet Theater Bunraku is a traditional form of Japanese puppet theatre using rhythmic chanting and traditional music to tell the story. Bunraku Puppet Theater became popular in Japan in the 1600s. In Bunraku, the puppets are actual full-body puppets and the puppeteers are in full view on stage, however, they’re usually dressed entirely in black in order to blend in with the background and bring attention to the puppets. For the puppets representing important characters, There are usually 3 puppeteers directing the puppets movements. 1 for directing the legs, one for the left arm, and one master puppet handler, directing the head and right arm, who is often dressed in a beautiful costume, with the other handlers dressed in black, assumed to be invisible.

The puppets used today are about ⅔ life size but were originally smaller during older times of its first surge in popularity.

As for the origin of Bunraku, during medieval times, one widespread form of entertainment was the art of the chanter who traveled the countryside with a biwa, or large lute, and sang/told stories about wars, tales of romantic heroes, and heroines. Later on between 1570 and 1600, the samisen, an instrument similar to a banjo gained more popularity of use than the biwa for chanters, and by 1600, it became popular to pair these chanter’s music and stories to visual displays of what occurs in the story. Puppeteer companies would silently illustrate the chanters' stories and songs as they told them. The development and eventual fusion of these arts culminated in the birth of Bunraku which became a widely beloved and classic art form still consumed and enjoyed today.

Popular Entertainment in Rome

Theater throughout history has served as entertainment for the population, often with educational teachings, this has brought people from all social conditions, without the need for educational, social, or cultural training, in fact from the examples of Roman culture developed television programs, movies, concerts, races and many other things in different countries. To hold these events, the Romans built special buildings, with dimensions large enough to hold a considerable number of people. For example, the Circus Maximus in Rome was built in 600 BC. For chariot races, this stadium held more than 60,000 spectators.

They themselves also developed popular entertainment more related to theater. For example, Roman mime included dances, gymnastics, juggling, and songs, and they also worked with comedy. This is a clear example of how Roman theater exists in the world to ensure that other cultures can enrich their theater and have quality entertainment.

~{ Discussion Space }~ 1. What are the key differences between the theatre styles you have studied?

Madeline Blanchard: Many Theatre styles differ greatly around the world. For example European/Greek theatre styles tend to be far more literal in interpretation and presentation, whereas in many Asian Theatre styles, they're characterized more by symbolism and non-verbal communication like dramatic body movements and dancing, however they also had a lot of music and dialogue mixed in, and certain iterations of Asian theatre are sometimes are referred to as "total Theatre" because it combines the arts of Music, acting, speaking, singing, dancing, and art/design as critical elements of these styles.

Michelle Barros: Apart from the specificities that my colleagues have correctly given, I believe that mainly the differences lie in the very essence of each type of theater. As we have talked about these weeks and in this document, each type of theater is differentiated by its culture and tradition.

Izabelle Harker: The main difference I found was between European and Asian theatre. Mainly the theme of human nature. While European theatre style Greek Tragedy held plays such as "Hippolytus" by Euripides. This play holds the theme of human nature and a cursed. Mean while, some performances in Chinese focused on talents such as juggling, skits, and more comedic approaches.

Jimmy Uribe: The difference that there could be is related to the areas, for example the Greek theater remained linked to the Greek religion, they could hold celebrations in honor of their gods and through theater they expressed it, while the Romans began to organize popular entertainment that had They were also well received, although they were not based on educational teachings, they simply wanted people to be distracted in some way.

Koby Carroll: Greek theater focused on themes like fate and the gods, using masks and choruses in outdoor settings. European theater evolved over time, covering religious stories to human dramas, with diverse styles from medieval to Shakespearean stages. Asian theater, including Indian, Chinese, and Japanese traditions, features culturally rich stories and highly stylized performances with elaborate costumes and specific movements.

2. How are the theatre styles you have studied influenced by the cultures in which they originated?

Madeline Blanchard:They're highly influenced by culture, religion, local legends, and the current political climate. Theatre in many locations began as a religious ordeals, telling religious stories or as a performance/show of a religious ceremony. For example, in medieval Europe, most people couldn't read, and therefore could not learn the bible, however, to remedy this, they put on many christian plays retelling biblical events such as Noah's ark or stories of Christ in the new testament.

Michelle Barros: Art, including theater, is a mirror that reflects the culture of a civilization. If we want to understand a culture, we must study its art. For me, it is a relationship between art and culture in which both are enriched simultaneously. That is, art feeds culture and culture feeds art.

Izabelle Harker: Different styles from Asian and European such as Greek, Noh, and Kabuki are drawn from they culture they are in. Asian culture is quite different from European and vice versus but the hold the similarity of using these to shape themes, performances, and aesthetic based on society and religion.

Jimmy Uribe: How are the theatre styles you have studied influenced by the cultures in which they originated? Theatrical styles have a lot to do with cultures since according to what they have experienced, learned, studied, they will be represented in the theater, so you will always see differences in the theaters and this may be due to the cultures of each country.

Koby Carroll: Theater styles are deeply influenced by the cultures they come from, reflecting their unique values, beliefs, and social norms. Greek theater centered on themes like fate and gods due to its religious roots, European theater evolved with shifting social and political landscapes, and Asian theater, including Indian, Chinese, and Japanese forms, integrates cultural myths, rituals, and aesthetics into highly stylized performances.

3. How are the origins of Asian theatres similar to the origins of Western theater?

Madeline Blanchard: Both Asian and Western Theatre debuted as a result of religious and personal expression. Asian Theatres are a little more obscure on the specifics of it's origins, but it is likely that it came about in the midst of great philosophical and religious breakthroughs. Western theatre also came about as there were more philosophical and literary breakthroughs, however Greek Theatre was brought about because of religious observance during festivals honoring Dionysus, the God of wine, fertility and revelry.

Michelle Barros: Both Asian and Western theater arose from the need for expression, or in the author's words, any civilization presents "the universal tendency toward theater" (Wilson, 2012, pg. 294)

Izabelle Harker: They are similar due to their evolution and religion. These provide different versions of story telling and cultural for their communities.

Jimmy Uribe

Koby Carroll: The origins of Asian and Western theaters are similar in that both emerged from religious and ritualistic practices, serving as a means to communicate cultural myths and spiritual beliefs. Both traditions began as integral parts of religious festivals and ceremonies, eventually evolving into more structured forms of artistic expression that reflected their respective societies' values and narratives.

4. Asian theatre is often called total theatre because it combines drama, music, and dance. What are some examples of total theatre in today's Western theatre?

Madeline Blanchard:Some examples of total theatre would include your average Broadway musical because they are completely covered with professional and stunning music, profound dialogue, and tons of dancers, artistic backgrounds, lights, and beautiful costumes. Even your local High school takes part in total theatre when they are putting on a musical. They get students to sing, dance, speak and create sets, backgrounds and costumes. These include the little mermaid, The lion king, Hamilton, and many more.

Michelle Barros: One of the examples of a total theater in Western cultures can be Broadway shows and Light of the Nations (presented by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).

Izabelle Harker: Examples of Western theatre in the modern age are musicals like "Hamilton" and "Phantom of the Opera." These hold elements of drama, music, and dance to make a musical.

Jimmy Uribe:

Koby Carroll: The lion king, Hamilton, and cirque du soleil are some examples.

5. What are the potential benefits of studying different theatre styles, and how does this study apply to your everyday life?

Madeline Blanchard: The benefits of studying different theatre styles or anything new or out of your usual norm are the same! By learning about different theatre styles, it expands our paradigms, and elevates our understanding and openness to what the world can teach us. If I hadn't studied the theatre styles and then watched a kabuki play with no prior knowledge of what it is or is about, then I might think that it's weird or that they aren't performing properly, but since I now know what kabuki is, then I'm more open and have more understanding that while it's different to what I'm used to, that doesn't make it any less valuable, and it is a lovely tradition that has lived through many ages.

Michelle Barros: According to GESTAL theory, the whole is more than the sum of its parts. Being able to know in detail the characteristics of the different types of theater enrich our lives, regardless of our daily occupations. Furthermore, this allows us to know the culture and idiosyncrasies of each town, civilization, country and nation.

Izabelle Harker: This applies to my everyday life by giving insights of the past and even current day cultures. I can view the creativity behind each type of theatre and deepen my prospective on theatre.

Jimmy Uribe

Koby Carroll: Studying visual and theater styles enhances creativity, critical thinking, and cultural awareness, enriching personal expression and empathy. These skills can improve communication, problem-solving, and collaboration in everyday life, making interactions more effective and meaningful.