User:Lizziebennet22/sandbox

Revisions to the history of theatre article:
-Adding a section on American Theatre

-Brief

-cited

-summary

-I am still in the process of evaluating historical sources to add this small section.

-In the process of taking one page of notes on multiple sources

Help from Class:
I would like additional perspectives to make sure that my content flows nicely and that it is under the umbrella of the lead. Also, making sure that there are no grammatical or spelling errors. Additionally, the style of the article is British English... I'm not sure if my article is in that style but I did my best, but I would still like input on that. Thank you :)

Original Article Lead:
The history of theatre charts the development of theatre over the past 2,500 years. While performative elements are present in every society, it is customary to acknowledge a distinction between theatre as an art form and entertainment and theatrical or performative elements in other activities. The history of theatre is primarily concerned with the origin and subsequent development of the theatre as an autonomous activity. Since classical Athens in the 6th century BC, vibrant traditions of theatre have flourished in cultures across the world.[1]

History of theatre From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

1752 to 1895:
Throughout most of history, English belles lettres and theatre have been separated, but these two art forms are interconnected. However if they do not learn how to work hand in hand it can be detrimental to the art form. The prose of English literature and the stories it tells needs to be performed and theatre has that capacity. From the start American theatre has been unique and diverse, reflecting society as America chased after its National identity. The very first play performed, in 1752 in Williamsburg Virginia, was Shakespeare's "The Merchant in Venice." Due to a strong Christian society theatre was banned from 1774-1789. This societal standard was due to the Bible being sacred and any other diversions (entertainment) were seen as inappropriate, frivolous (without purpose), and sensual (pleasurable). During the ban, theatre often hid by titling itself as moral lectures. Theatre took a brief pause because of the revolutionary war, but quickly resumed after the war ended in 1781. Theatre began to spread west, and often towns had theatres before they had sidewalks or sewers. There were several leading professional theatre companies early on, but one of the most influential was in Philadelphia (1794-1815); however, the company had shaky roots because of the ban on theatre. As the country expanded so did theatre; following the war of 1812 theatre headed west. Many of the new theatres were community run, but in New Orleans a professional theatre had been started by the french in 1791. Several troupes broke off and established a theatre in Cincinnati Ohio. The first official west theatre came in 1815 when Samuel Drake (1769-1854) took his professional theatre company from Albany to Pittsburgh to the Ohio River and Kentucky. Along with this circuit he would sometimes take the troupe to Lexington, Louisville, and Frankfort. At times, he would lead the troupe to Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, and Missouri. While there were circuit riding troupes, more permanent theatre communities out west often sat on rivers so there would be easy boat access. During this time period very few theatres were above the Ohio River, and in fact Chicago did not have a permanent theatre until 1833. Because of the turbulent times in America and the economic crisis happening due to wars, theatre during its most expansive time, experienced bankruptcy and change of management. Also most early American theatre had great European influence because many of the actors had been English born and trained. Between 1800-1850 neoclassical philosophy almost completely passed away under romanticism which was a great influence of 19th century American theatre that idolized the "noble savage." Due to new psychological discoveries and acting methods, eventually romanticism would give birth to realism. This trend toward realism occurred between 1870-1895.

1895 to 1945:
In this era of theatre, the moral hero shifts to the modern man who is a product of his environment. This major shift is due in part to the civil war because America was now stained with its own blood, having lost its innocence.

1945 to 1990:
During this period of theatre, Hollywood emerged and threatened American theatre. However theatre during this time didn't decline but in fact was renowned and noticed worldwide.