Intended to illuminate the importance of theatre and performance in daily life by engaging students with dramatic material, A Short Guide to Writing about Theatre is a succinct introduction to the skills required to write knowledgeably and critically about the theatre. A succinct introduction to the skills required to write knowledgeably and critically about the theatre. KEY TOPICS: Illuminates the importance of theatre and performance in daily life with dramatic material, Addresses the practical elements of review, analysis, criticism, and research, Incorporates a blend of professional and student essays as models of successful writing, Thorough writing instruction, Comprehensive glossary, Covers criticism and genre writing. MARKET: Intro to Theatre, Writing across the disciplines.
Robert Weimann redefines the relationship between writing and performance, or "playing," in Shakespeare's theater. Through close reading and careful analysis Weimann offers a reconsideration and redefinition of Elizabethan performance and production practices. The study reviews the most recent methodologies of textual scholarship, the new history of the Elizabethan theater, performance theory, and film and video interpretation, and offers a new approach to understanding Shakespeare. Weimann examines a range of plays as well as other contemporary works. A major part of the study explores the duality between playing and writing.
Intended for the inexperienced drama student as well as serving as a useful review for the experienced student, this book sets forth its principles briefly and with a modest amount of illustrative material. The author's suggestions should enhance classroom discussion and participation when used alone or in combination with individual dramas or works from anthologies. Topics addressed are: the nature and elements of drama, traditional plays, help in overcoming the initial difficulties in the reading of a play, and understanding the play in both its exposition and its drama. Originally published by Macmillan in 1966.
Palmer clearly states that his purpose is to explain 1the ways of critics to theatre practitioners, the ways of theatre to inexperienced reviewers, and the dynamic convergence of theatre and critic to anyone interested in theatre.' . . . The work is a well-written `primer' for writers and it will be useful primarily to performers who object to unfavorable `criticsm' without understanding the nature and purpose of reviewing. Accessible to general readers and undergraduates. Choice Palmer begins with an examination of the theatrical review as a medium for informing and entertaining theatregoers, documenting events of artistic of community importance, and supporting theatre through critical evaluation and publicity. He next comments on how journalistic pressures affect reviewers. Citing brief examples from hundreds of reviews, the author devotes a chapter to each of the elements that needs to be covered in a review, including performers, script, direction, music, and choreography, together with stage and lighting design and other physical aspects of the production. The final chapter develops criteria for assessing the strengths and weaknesses of a theatrical review, based on aesthetic standards, the cultural tastes of theatregoers, and the interests of the community. Palmer's experience as both a theatre professional and a journalist gives him an intimate understanding of the antagonism that often develops between reviewers and those who feel themselves to be the target of irresponsible criticism. His book provides a clear perspective on theatrical matters and guidelines that will help to improve standards of reviewing and create an appreciation of the essential relationship between the theatre and its critics.
This book, which was originally published in 1976, is an interpretation of the thought of the major neo-classical dramatic critics in Italy, France and England during the period 1560-1770. Commentary is based in every case on a careful reading of original texts (by, for instance, Scaliger, Castelvetro, Corneille, D' Aubignac, Dryden, Johnson, Diderot, Mercier), which have been translated by the authors where necessary and are liberally quoted, and leads to the conclusion that neo-classicism found its natural fulfilment in nineteenth-century naturalism. Far from being academic, artificial, doctrinaire or rigid - pejorative terms usually applied to them - the neo-classical critics were asking fundamental questions about the nature of drama. The book attempts to 'place' a selection of early European dramatic criticism in a fresh context. It brings together a good deal of information not available elsewhere and presents it in a form which non-specialist readers will find easy to assimilate and which specialists will find stimulating as a sophisticated critical interpretation of neo-classicism.ill find stimulating as a sophisticated critical interpretation of neo-classicism.ill find stimulating as a sophisticated critical interpretation of neo-classicism.ill find stimulating as a sophisticated critical interpretation of neo-classicism.
Perfect for the student assigned to review a local production, this supplement offers students a convenient place to record their evaluation. Useful tips and suggestions of things to consider when evaluating a production are included.
In this encompassing and accessible introduction to dramaturgy, Felicia Hardison Londré promotes the dramaturgical essay as both an art form and as a method for improving creative writing skills.
There is a growing interest in 'dramaturgy' as a critical concept and as a practical process. Outlining different perspectives this book introduces both concept and practice in an accessible and engaging style. Using case studies and suggesting areas of further study, the authors provide an insight into contemporary debates and new directions
Dramaturgy, in its many forms, is a fundamental and indispensable element of contemporary theatre. In its earliest definition, the word itself means a comprehensive theory of "play making." Although it initially grew out of theatre, contemporary dramaturgy has made enormous advances in recent years, and it now permeates all kinds of narrative forms and structures: from opera to performance art; from dance and multimedia to filmmaking and robotics.
Call Number: Ebook OR Performing Arts Library - Stacks ; PN2053.C428 2010
ISBN: 9780809329526
Publication Date: 2010-03-16
Ghost Light: An Introductory Handbook for Dramaturgy offers useful and entertaining answers to the confounding questions: "What, exactly, is dramaturgy, and what does a dramaturg do?" According to Michael Mark Chemers, dramaturgs are the scientists of the theater world--their primary responsibility is to query the creative possibilities in every step of the production process, from play selection to costume design, and then research the various options and find ways to transform that knowledge into useful ideas.
"A theatre which is able to speak to each spectator in a different and penetrating language is not a fantastic idea, nor a utopia. This is the theatre for which many of us, directors and leaders of groups, trained for a long time....." - from the Introduction On Directing is Eugenio Barba's unprecedented account of his own life and work. This is a major retrospective of Barba's working methods, his practical techniques, and the life experiences which fed directly into his theatre-making. On Directing is an inspirational resource. It is a dramaturgy of dramaturgies, and a professional autobiography, from one of the most significant and influential directors and theorists working today. It provides unique insights into a philosophy and practice of directing for the beginning student, the experienced practitioner, and everyone in between.
A guide for writers at all phases of their careers - from those who have never written for the stage to those who want to grow beyond their current productions - The Playwright's Handbook helps you craft a script into a successful theatrical work and get it produced. Written by Frank Pike, an award-winning playwright, and Thomas G. Dunn, founder of the prestigious Minneapolis Playwrights Center, this guide contains the expertise of professionals actively working in the theater. Their positive, up-to-date advice is reality based, effective, and tells you up front how to make money with your talent.
This is a practical introduction to the basic principles, structures and processes of writing plays. Beginning with simple concepts and exercises, this book gradually builds in complexity, until the reader is writing his or her one act play. Writing plays is unique because feedback, alternative approaches and discussion spur creativity. This book encourages this and thereby encourages the reader to write. The reader will discover how stage plays differ from screenplays, novels and television. The book also describes how autobiographical materials are transformed into playable parts, and how characters are moved by action. `Playwriting: The first workshop' gives readers the necessary background to begin working on their first play.
From "story" and "tension" right down to how to get a character from one side of the stage to the other, Hatcher, an award-winning playwright, conveys his expertise and love of the theater in an intelligent, engaging style.-- fourteen essential elements found in every good play, with examples from historical and contemporary theater-- a step-by-step walk through the classic play Hedda Gabler, showing good playwriting elements in action-- interviews with playwrights Marsha Norman, Jose Rivera and Lee Blessing offer practical advice and personal insight on distinct approaches to the craft-- a wide range of exercises increase the readers' mastery of the elements of playwriting
Seth Barrish is the renowned actor, director and acting coach behind The Barrow Group, a theatre company and acting school based in New York City. His book An Actor's Companion: Tools for the Working Actor is simple, direct and useful. The book contains a collection of exercises, tips, tools and tricks are all designed to be used on the job. If you're an actor, whether you're a seasoned professional or in the middle of training, this book is for you. 'There is a muscularity, not to mention wisdom and truth, to Seth's techniques. He is a wonderful teacher, and I know that having him as my first guide is one of the luckiest things to have happened to me in my career and life.' Anne Hathaway, from her foreword
The Methuen Drama Dictionary of the Theatre is an essential reference tool and companion for anyone interested in the theatre and theatre-going. Containing over 2500 entries it covers the international spectrum of theatre with particular emphasis on the UK and USA. With biographical information on playwrights, actors and directors, entries on theatres and theatre companies, explanation of technical terms and theatrical genres, and synopses of major plays, this is an authoritative, trustworthy and comprehensive compendium. Included are: synopses of 500 major plays biographical entries on hundreds of playwrights, actors, directors and producers definitions of nearly 200 genres and movements entries on over 100 key characters from plays information about more than 250 theatres and companies Unlike similar products, The Methuen Drama Dictionary of the Theatre avoids a dry, technical approach with its sprinkling of anecdotal asides and fascinating trivia, such as how Michael Gambon gave his name to a corner of a racing track following an incident on BBC's Top Gear programme, and under 'advice to actors' the sage words of Alec Guinness: 'First wipe your nose and check your flies', and the equally wise guidance from the master of his art, Noël Coward: 'Just know your lines and don't bump into the furniture.' As a companion to everything from the main stage to the fringes of theatrical fact and folklore, this will prove an irresistible book to all fans of the theatre.
How does an actor bring a script to life? The actor must know how to read a script, break it down, and mine all of its clues in order to make the most effective choices. The Anatomy of a Choice: An Actor's Guide to Text Analysis offers the actor a concrete method for approaching a script. This guide details a simple process to discover and define a character's scene and super-objective, obstacle, beats, and tactics. It includes practical information on how to build a character, how best to use rehearsal time, and what to do when nothing is working.
Supporting comprehensive literature reviews, this resource combines cross-searchable, seminal bibliographies in music and performing arts, with full-text from hundreds of journals. Both source bibliographies, International Index to Music periodicals and International Index to Performing Arts, take a global approach to their inclusion criteria. Topics range from musicology to the blues, and from theatre to broadcast arts. With approximately two million records, this resource is continuously updated to reflect news scholarship.
An online collection of many reference books covering a wide variety of subjects, with entries covering such subjects as medicine, art, technology, law and more.
Credo Reference is an online collection of many reference books covering a wide variety of subjects, with entries covering such subjects as medicine, art, technology, law and more, all aggregated and integrated in a robust search engine.
This award-winning digital library has been created as a response to the need for a high-quality online research tool for drama and literature students, professors, and teachers. It is the only resource to combine exclusively available playtext content and scholarly publications with filmed live performances, film adaptations, and audio plays.
The New Play Exchange ® (NPX) is the world's largest digital library of scripts by living writers. The NPX, a National New Play Network program, is flipping the script on the ways in which new work is shared and discovered. National New Play Network (NNPN) is an alliance of professional theaters that collaborate in innovative ways to develop, produce, and extend the life of new plays.
Covers off-off Broadway theater in all five boroughs of New York City, and occasionally Off-Broadway and Broadway theater. OffOffOnline.com serves as a platform to review, recognize, support and promote new and emerging theater.
Provides records of productions from the beginnings of New York theatre until today. Details include facts about pertinent people (producers, directors, actors, etc.) and interesting production statistics. Also includes lists of songs featured in shows.
On each episode of “A Musical Theatre Podcast,” Jeff welcomes a special guest to explore one musical from theatre history. Together they get to the heart of the show’s cultural and emotional impact by looking at its creators, context, and storytelling.
Broadway to Main Street is the crossroads where the greatest songs of the Broadway stage meet popular culture in America. You can listen to this week's show or SEARCH through the archives of over 500 different episodes celebrating the timeless tunes and traditions of the American Musical Theater.
Matt Koplik is the most opinionated, foul-mouthed, and passionate theatre geek with access to a mic. Every week, Matt and a guest explore Broadway history by diving into the careers of the artists who shaped it.
A lively and opinionated cultural history of the Broadway Musical that tells the extraordinary story of how Immigrants, Jews, Queers, African-Americans and other outcasts invented the Broadway Musical, and how they changed America in the process.
What The Musical, a podcast for musical theatre nerds and newbies. Join Chelsey and Tara as they discuss musicals and all their glorious facets--the technical, the dramatic, the problematic, and the beloved songs we never want to hear again.
Broadway Backstory is a documentary style podcast from TodayTix and Theater People that explores how a show develops from an idea to a full Broadway production. We get the behind the scenes story directly from the people who lived it - the conceivers, actors, directors, and producers.
Explore the New York Public Library's diverse collections, including digitized photographs, manuscripts, maps, and more. Start exploring by using the search bar below or browse through the collections.
The Museum of the City of New York has a variety of digital collections focusing on theatre including: Broadway Productions, the Sophie Tucker Collection, and Yiddish Theatre.
The Museum’s collection of more than 23 million objects, images, and documents records the evolution of Chicago. The collection reflects our commitment to share Chicago stories by serving as a hub of scholarship and learning, inspiration, and civic engagement.
Throughout its history, the Newberry has collected a variety of materials relating to the performing arts, including dance treatises, theater programs, broadsides, as well as the papers of dancers, journalists, and performing arts critics.
THS strives to preserve the architectural, social, and cultural past of American theatres. The THS archival collection contains information on over 18,000 theatres across the country with holdings dating back to the late 1800s. Made up of photographic prints, operational records, blueprints, photo negatives and slides, programs, books, artifacts, newspaper clippings, artwork, and magazines, the collection represents the largest public collection of material documenting movie theatre architecture in America.