1. Theatre: Its Origins and Its History1
Theatre: Its Origins and Its History
(© Charles & Josette Lenars/Corbis)

2. Common Theories on Theatre’s Origin
Little evidence so must rely on theory
Evolved from theatre and performance in life
Ritual Theory
Aristotle’s Theory
Great Man Theory
Dance Theory
Story Telling Theory

3. Performance
Performative elements, both dramatic and theatrical are present in all societies

4. Performance in everyday life
Often with theatrical elements

5. Performance Qualities
Time
Place
Participants
Structure
Clothing
Movement
Function/Purpose

6. Ceremonies

7. Rituals

8. Sports

9. Music and Dance

10. Political Performance
Political decision based on performance
Often theatrical

12. Child’s Play- creative and imitative
Imitative and Creative

13. The link to theatre
Although there are elements of theatre and performance in life, it does not indicated a link to a formal art form that we call theatre.

14. Ritual Theory Ceremonies and Rituals are closely related to theatre
Theatrical Aspects of Ceremonies and Rituals
The Abydos Ritual in Ancient Egypt
Indigenous Ritual in Latin America

15. Ritual Theory
Society becomes aware of forces that control food supply or well being
Attributes occurrences to supernatural or magical forces
Look for ways to win favor or influence these forces

16. Ritual Theory
Draws a connection between certain actions performed by the group or shaman and a desired result
Efficaciousness
Group repeats, refines and formalizes these actions into fixed rituals
Myths or stories grow around the ritual
Myths performed
Costumes and mask

17. Ritual Theory
At some point, the society changes and its relationship with the ritual changes.
Move away from ritual but preserve the myths as part of oral tradition
Continue the performance aspect without the ritualistic concerns
Performed activity is refined according to aesthetics and entertainment values
Theatre is created

18. Problems with ritual theory
Cultural Darwinism - Assumes all societies evolve in the same way, from simple to complex
Assumed superiority/Eurocentric
Ritual and theatre may have been coexisting modes to develop conventions
Ex. Wedding rituals define new relationships and conventional associated behavior
Ex. Theatre can show this and enforce conventions

19. Aristotle’s Theory
Aristotle – Memesis
Child’s imitative play

20. Aristotle’s Theory Poetics 355 BCE Theatre evolved from dithyrambs
Tragedy – “goat song”
Tragedy from the authors of the dithyrambs, comedy from the authors of phallic songs. Comodos

21. Great Man Theory
Theatre was created by a revolutionary intervention of a gifted human being.
Someone purposely organized available elements into a new form
Dance, music, singing, storytelling, rituals
No records or accounts of the person responsible

22. Thespis
First Actor
First Tragic playwright
First touring company

23. Storytelling Theory
Storytellers impersonated the various characters using voice and movement, perhaps costume
People were added to play other characters
Does not explain the evolution of the chorus

24. Dance Theory Through dance, performers imitated animals or humans
Sound and words were eventually added.
Orchestra=the dancing place
Does not explain the chorus

25. Which theory Anthropologist generally favor the ritual theory
Artists prefer the great man theory
Actors or those who believe drama started with the actor, favor the storytelling or dance theory.
To explain the chorus, either the dance theory or Aristotle’s theory

26. Theatre in different cultures
Not all cultures have theatre (they have performance)
Not all cultures allow theatre
Theatre in the West
Mimesis
(© Richard T. Nowitz/Corbis)

27. Prohibition of Theatre

28. Methexis and mimesis Theatre in Africa/others
Methexis: Group Sharing,
“audience participation”
Western Theatre=separation Of audience and performer
European tradition-mimesis, presented to spectators

29. Theatre and methexis
“Participatory” Theatre

30. How Historians Reconstruct the Elements of Theatre
A Playing Space
The Audience
The Performers
Visual Elements
Texts
Coordination of the Elements
Social Requirements
(© Jack Kurtz/The Image Works)
© 2012, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

31. The Study of Theatre History
Traditional Chronological Narratives
Recent Historical Approaches
Revisionist Historians
Feminist Historians
Deconstructionists
Multicultural Historians
Gay and Lesbian Theatre Historians
(© Geraint Lewis)
© 2012, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

32. The Study of Theatre History (continued)
Semioticians and Iconographic Historians
Marxist and Class-Oriented Historians
Performance Studies and Theatre History
© 2012, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

33. Revisionist Historians
History is retold from the point of view of the elite
Orwell Article

34. History is written by the winners

35. Deconstructionists Aka postmodernists.
Question the traditional manner in which history is reconstructed.
The past cannot be retold in an objective and completely true manner
People in power decide what is historic, who is empowered by a version of history

36. Feminist Historians

37. Gay and Lesbian Historians

38. Studying Theatre Why Study Theatre History?
If theatre is a reflection of its society, then theatre history gives us insights to societies fo the past; how they saw themselves, wished to have been seen at the time or how they were directed to see depending if their theatre was art or entertainment.

39. How Do Scholars Study Theatre History?
Difficulty of research
Live Art
Primary and Secondary Sources
Practice as research

40. Theatre in History: Points to Remember
Focus is on the high points
There were other great writers and theatre activity that we do not focus on.
This class covers only a small portion of what actually happened in history
Scope of course
Too much is unknown
Who determines what is “outstanding” theatre?
Anthology selection
We have different tastes today that in the past.

41. Points to remember
Outstanding actors – we rely on people who were there, but by today’s standards they many not be considered great due to changing tastes.
Intended Audience –
Historical, social, cultural and political context
For the classes or the masses?
In different periods and cultures, different aspects of theatre are appreciated
Today?

42. What’s next? Complete any required work on Etudes Finish reading Ch1
Start reading Ch 2
Read Norton section on Greek theatre
Watch or read Oedipus