Introduction to performance What is THEATRE? Introduction to performance

What is theatre? Defining theatre… Think!-Pair!-Share! Turn to your shoulder partner and come up with a working definition: What is theatre?

Theatre is… Live performance art- in the present moment Collaborative! All roles are important It requires the work of many people No small parts! Synthesis of many arts Ephemeral, meaning that no performance can ever be totally duplicated or captured… “you had to be there!”

Where did it come from? Storytelling Myth, ritual and ceremonies: power, pleasure & duty The Ancient Greeks Storytelling power, pleasure & duty

3 Requirements for Live Theatre: Performers Performance Space Audience

But what makes a play? A play is much more than just the actors. Take a minute and BRAINSTORM in your notes about WHO and WHAT go into making a production!

3 Main Branches and the elements of theatre covered by that branch Performance: Technical: Management: Actors Set Publicity Dancers Lights Marketing Singers, etc. Make-up, etc. House, etc.

Performer Any individual who appears in front of the audience

Performance Jobs: Stage Actor/Actress Film Actor/Actress Dancers Singers Mimes Jugglers Instrumentalists Circus Acrobat

Other Jobs in Performance: Director Conductor Vocal Director Choreographer

Tools of the Actor Voice Body Imagination/Mind Pair up with your shoulder partner after we view this short video. Take down a bulleted list of ideas and be ready to talk about how the performer in the clip use all three tools of the actor!

Voice, body & imagination…with technology!

Playwright Writes the play Creates a story for others to perform and produce on stage

Ensemble A group of actors working together cooperatively and responsibly to help themselves and each other to achieve the group goal There are NO small parts!

Wrap-up! Turn to your shoulder partner and tell him/her about your favorite scene in a film. Discuss: What less obvious performance jobs (light, make-up, sound, etc.) went into the creation of that scene? How does the primary performer in the scene use the three tools of the actor to create a great performance?