Chapter 1

Performance-an activity in which some people do something while other people watch Art- activity done for its own ends; separable from life and practicality, but it can also be practical or aesthetic

Theatre as Performance Doers Something is done Watchers (audience) Performance sites Movement through time (beginning and end)

Immediate and Ephemeral Relationship between doer and watcher is immediate; happens in real time (not in movie time); we have a sense of the now Ephemeral—it is fleeting and nonrecoverable – There will never be another moment just like this – When the performance is gone it entirely gone

Traits that cause differences Purpose-why is the performance done – (church, games, fight) Relationship between doer and watcher – How and what interaction is taking place Organizing principles – Why a beginning and an end Self-awareness – Degree of involvement and why they are involved

Theatre as Art-shared traits It is artificial- – it is made Stands alone- – does not need a practical or real-life purpose Self-aware – Artist knows what he or she is trying to do Produces response – Aesthetic response-the appreciation of beauty beyond being intellectual or entertaining

Theatre as Art: Differences Relationship with time and space- Principles of organization-color, story, sound Idea of audience-individual or group Mode of presentation-live

Theatre’s Relationship with other Arts Containment or merging of several art forms (set, costume, dance) Use of genre—ballet, musical, opera

Performing Art Theatre uses and actor to be the performer The actor takes on the persona “I” of another individual Actors need to fully impersonate and be fully present in performing Create characters-virtual people Theatre is virtual and it is more intense and concentrated that the real world

Use of real performance space and artificial setting Proceeds through time at its own pace Theatre is a process, not a thing Theatre is lifelike, but not life