Each society develops numerous Each society develops numerous “conventions” “conventions” (enthymemes)(enthymemes) viewed as viewed as rituals that define social relationships. And rituals that define social relationships. And it seeks the validation of these rituals it seeks the validation of these rituals through religion, morality, law and social through religion, morality, law and social behavior. behavior.

The The role/functionrole/function of Theatre in society of Theatre in society has fluctuated over timehas fluctuated over time

Examples:Examples: Theatre as religious activityTheatre as religious activity Theatre as traveling performanceTheatre as traveling performance Theatre as entertainmentTheatre as entertainment

The The valuevalue and and respectabilityrespectability of Theatre of Theatre has been a matter of debatehas been a matter of debate

Examples:Examples: Theatre forbidden/banned as a form of lyingTheatre forbidden/banned as a form of lying Theatre as a truthful reflection of human behaviorTheatre as a truthful reflection of human behavior

Chapter 1:Chapter 1: The Nature of TheatreThe Nature of Theatre

Origins in Origins in ritualritual practices practices

Theatre as a form is at least Theatre as a form is at least 25002500 years old years old

Relationship between ritual and theatre exist on Relationship between ritual and theatre exist on an entertainment efficacy Continuuman entertainment efficacy Continuum

Efficacy Efficacy -------------------------------------------------- EntertainmentEntertainment

(Entertainment Turkey whirling dirbish, tibetian (Entertainment Turkey whirling dirbish, tibetian songs, sometimes co-oped by popular culture.)songs, sometimes co-oped by popular culture.)

Origins of TheatreOrigins of Theatre

1.1. Story TellingStory Telling

2.2. Dance Dance

3.3. Religious RitualReligious Ritual

Where did theatre come from?1.1. Theatre from WorshipTheatre from Worship

1.1. Group would observe forces in nature that control Group would observe forces in nature that control sources of food and well being. Group attributes sources of food and well being. Group attributes desirable or undesirable feelings towards supernatural desirable or undesirable feelings towards supernatural forces / occurrences. forces / occurrences.

2.2. Group seeks to win favoritism of forces through Group seeks to win favoritism of forces through repeated actions, ceremonies, and rituals. In time, they repeated actions, ceremonies, and rituals. In time, they become refined and formalized. In time ritual become refined and formalized. In time ritual celebrations become more secular and open to the celebrations become more secular and open to the general public. general public.

2. Theatre from dance and pantomime. 2. Theatre from dance and pantomime. Dancing around the kill to celebrate. The dance of Dancing around the kill to celebrate. The dance of the bee to communicate in the hive. That’s insect, the bee to communicate in the hive. That’s insect, but humans have the gift for fantasy and but humans have the gift for fantasy and imagination. imagination.

3. Originated in the telling of Myths3. Originated in the telling of Myths

Parallels between the practice of Cultural rituals and Parallels between the practice of Cultural rituals and theatre production. theatre production.

1.1. Special location or Place Theatre vs. ChurchSpecial location or Place Theatre vs. Church2.2. Doer Vs. participantsDoer Vs. participants3.3. Watchers Vs. witnessesWatchers Vs. witnesses4.4. Costumes or special garb out of normCostumes or special garb out of norm5.5. Mask and makeupMask and makeup6.6. Notion of identity, transition, change and sacrificeNotion of identity, transition, change and sacrifice7.7. Catharsis – an emotional purgingCatharsis – an emotional purging8.8. Use of symbol or abstraction of realityUse of symbol or abstraction of reality9.9. Song, DanceSong, Dance10.10. Language, Separation from Normal every day Language, Separation from Normal every day 11.11. TimeTime

1. What is the role/function of Theatre in your society today?

2. How does live Theatre performance differ from mediated performance forms such as film and television?

3. Do you consider Theatre to be a form of lying or a reflection of truth? Why?

4. Can you think of any other rituals that are theatrical in nature? Send me a link, or a pic of one for extra credit!

What do YOU think?