Theater: A Comprehensive Look at the Performing Arts
Theater: A Literary and Performing Art
Theater is a literary genre, whether in prose or verse, usually in dialogue, intended to be performed. The performing arts encompass everything related to writing the play, performance, costumes, scenery, and production. In general, the term “drama” refers to a story that chronicles the life events of a series of characters.
The Evolution of Theater Throughout History
Throughout history, theater has developed its activity on three levels: as a popular entertainment of poor organization, as an important public activity, and as an art for the elite.
Essential Elements of Theatrical Representation
A representation consists of only two essential elements: actor/actress and audience. It may involve mimicry or the use of verbal language. Characters do not have to be human beings; puppets or marionettes were highly valued throughout history, along with other scenic resources. Representation can be enhanced through costumes, makeup, sets, accessories, lighting, music, and special effects. These elements are used to help create an illusion of places, times, and different characters, or to emphasize a special quality of the representation and distinguish it from everyday experience.
Musical Theater: A Blend of Music and Drama
Musical theater features vocal or instrumental music that is part of a show. It may serve merely as background music, like most movie soundtracks, or be the main focus, as in opera, operetta, zarzuela, or musicals.
In the twentieth century, the accompanying music, or incidental music, which is used for stage works, is usually recorded or produced by means of electronic equipment.
The Role of Lighting in Theater
For centuries, light was evoked in theater only with words. However, since the Renaissance, stage lighting has continued to evolve. Today, with the use of computers, lighting designers can program and control the performance space in different ways, including brightness, position, color, and movement.
Theater Production: Organizing and Presenting Performances
Theater production refers to the various means by which any form of theater is organized and presented. The term applies to theater productions, drama, and music, but also includes opera, dance, circus and carnivals, mime, vaudeville, puppetry, horseback riding, and other forms. All are primarily visual, performed live, and governed by a set of rules, such as the script, sets, sound installation, and choreography, which determine the language and actions of the performers.
Classifying Theater Based on Production Formulas
Theater can be classified according to the different formulas used in production. Commercial theater attracts a large audience and is produced with the intention of making a profit. It is based on entertainment, and artistic and literary values are secondary considerations. It has always been inherently conservative and not very receptive to experimentation. Known as art theater or experimental theater, the noncommercial purpose of theater is to present more serious works, including literary, political, and avant-garde art.
The Development of Theatrical Spaces
Many early theatrical formulas were developed on the streets, in open spaces, in market places, in churches, or in buildings built for theatrical use. In all these areas, the sense of stage and auditorium were built from the actions carried out by the performers and by the natural conditions of the space.
Stage Direction: Designing the Overall Show
Stage direction refers to the overall design of the show: the style of performance, motion design, lighting, costumes, music, atmosphere, and scenery. Theater has been incorporating its own technical design elements from each era.