Theatre
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Kentes
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/* Theatrical Philosophy */
{{two other uses|the field of [[performing arts]]|the structure theatre is performed in|theatre (structure)|other uses}}
[[Image:New York State Theater by David Shankbone.jpg|thumb|300px|right|[[New York State Theater]], [[Lincoln Center]]]]
{{Performing arts}}
'''Theatre''' (or '''theater''', see [[American and British English spelling differences#-re, -er|spelling differences]]) is the branch of the [[performing arts]] defined by [[Bernard Beckerman]] as what "occurs when one or more [[actor|persons]], isolated in time and/or [[Theater (structure)|space]], present themselves to [[Audience|another or others]]."<ref>Bernard Beckerman, head of Hofstra University's department of drama, in his book, ''Dynamics of Drama''</ref> By this broad definition, theatre has existed since the dawn of man, as a result of human tendency for story telling. Since its inception, theatre has come to take on many forms, often utilizing elements such as speech, gesture, music, dance, and spectacle, combining the other performing arts, often as well as the visual arts, into a single artistic form.
The word derives from the [[Ancient Greek]] ''theatron'' (''θέατρον''), meaning "the seeing place".
==History==
{{main|History of theatre}}
The earliest recorded theatrical event dates back to 2000 BC with the [[passion plays]] of [[Ancient Egypt]]. This story of the god [[Osiris]] was performed annually at festivals throughout the civilization, marking the known beginning of a long relationship between theatre and religion.
The [[Ancient Greeks]] were the first to begin to formalize theatre as an art, developing strict definitions of [[tragedy]] and [[comedy]] as well as other forms, including [[satyr plays]]. Like the passion plays of Ancient Egypt, Greek plays made use of mythological characters. The Greeks were also the first to develop the concepts of dramatic criticism, acting as a career, and theatre architecture.
Western theatre continued to develop under the [[Roman Empire]], in [[Britain in the Middle Ages|medieval England]], and continued to thrive, taking on many forms in Spain, Italy, France, and Russia in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. A uniquely American theatre developed along with the colonization of North America.
The history of Eastern theatre is traced back to 1000 BC with the [[Sanskrit drama]] of [[India]]. Japanese forms of [[Kabuki]], [[Noh]], and [[Kyogen]] date back to the 17th centuries. Other Eastern forms were developed throughout China, [[Korea]], and [[Southeast Asia]].
== Types==
[[Image:Teatr Letni w Szczecinie 1 (Piotr Kuczynski).jpg|thumb|left|Summer Theatre in [[Szczecin]], [[Poland]].]]
Modern Western theatre is dominated by [[realism]], including [[drama]] and [[comedy]]. Another popular Western form is [[musical theater]]. Classical forms of theatre, including Greek and Roman drama, classic English drama including [[Shakespeare]] and [[Marlowe]], French theater including [[Molière]] and [[commedia dell'arte]], are still performed today. In addition, performances of classic Eastern forms such as [[Noh]] and [[Kabuki]] can be found in the West, although with less frequency.
===Drama===
[[Image:Sudeykin Theater.jpg|thumb|[[Serge Sudeikin]]'s poster for the Bat Theatre (1922).]]
[[Drama]] (literally translated as ''action,'' from a verbal root meaning "To do") is the branch of theatre in which speech, either from written text ([[Play (theatre)|plays]]), or [[improvisation|improvised]] is paramount. And the companion word ''drama'' is also Greek, ''dran'' meaning ''to do''. One of the earliest known forms of theatre, the ''[[Theatre of ancient Greece]]'', created the definition of a theatre: an audience in a half-circle watching an elevated stage where actors use [[theatrical property|prop]]s staging plays. [[Musical theatre]] is a form of theatre combining [[music]], [[song]]s, [[dance]] routines, and spoken [[dialogue]]. However, theatre is more than just what one sees on [[stage (theatre)|stage]]. Theatre involves an entire world behind the scenes that creates the costumes, sets, and lighting to make the overall effect interesting.
===Comedy===
Coming from the Greek word ''[[komos]]'' which means celebration, revel, or merrymaking, comedy often focuses on a problem that leads to some form of catastrophe which in the end has a happy and joyful outcome.
Designed to make the audience laugh, comedy often includes archetypal characters and precisely timed banter.
===Musical theatre===
Since the beginning of known theatre, music and theatre have always had a close, intertwined relationship. Modern musical theatre emerged from the variety shows and "follies" of the early 20th century and includes a combination of dialogue, song and dance, and spectacle. Broadway musicals of the 21st century include lavish costumes and sets supported by million dollar budgets.
==Theatrical Philosophy==
[[Image:Teatro Amazonas.jpg|thumb|right|Amazonas Theatre in [[Manaus]], [[Brazil]].]]
There are a variety of philosophies, artistic processes, and theatrical approaches to creating plays and drama. Some are connected to political or spiritual ideologies, and some are based on purely "artistic" concerns. Some processes focus on a story, some on theatre as event, and some on theatre as catalyst for social change. According to [[Aristotle]]'s seminal theatrical critique ''[[Poetics (Aristotle)|Poetics]]'', there are six elements necessary for theatre: Plot, Character, Idea, Language, Music, and Spectacle. The 17th century Spanish writer [[Lope de Vega]] wrote that for theatre one needs "three boards, two actors, and one passion". Others notable for their contribution to theatrical philosophy are [[Konstantin Stanislavski]], [[Antonin Artaud]], [[Bertolt Brecht]], [[Orson Welles]], [[Peter Brook]], and [[Jerzy Grotowski]].
Some{{weasel-inline}} theatre theorists argue that actors should study all of the commonly-taught acting methods to perfect their craft (though many others disagree), such as the [[Meisner technique|Meisner]], [[Stanislavsky System|Stanislavsky]], [[Method acting|Strasberg]], and [[Presentational acting|Hagen]] acting methods. However, the majority of modern western theater is derived from Stanislavski's "system" in one form or another.
== Theatre Organization and Administration==
There are many modern theater movements which go about producing theater in a variety of ways.
===Amateur v. Professional===
Theaters run the gamut from amateur to professional. In community theaters, as well as in educational theater, actors are typically not paid. Fringe theatre productions are typically paid, but minimally so. Broadway productions are known for their large budgets. The spectrum of amateur to professional is as follows:
* [[Educational Theater]]
* [[Community theatre]]
* [[Dinner theatre]]
* [[Fringe theatre]]
* [[Summer stock theatre]]
* [[Regional theatre]]
* [[Off-Off-Broadway]]
* [[Off-Broadway]] and [[Off West End]]
* [[Broadway theatre]] and [[West End theatre]]
===Repertory Companies===
While most modern theater companies rehearse one piece of theater at a time, perform that piece for a set "run", retire the piece, and begin rehearsing a new show, [[repertory]] companies rehearse multiple shows at one time. These companies are able to perform these various pieces upon request and often perform works for years before retiring them. Most dance companies operate on this repertory system.
===Producing v. Presenting===
In order to put on a piece of theater, both a [[theater company]] and a [[theater (structure)|theater venue]] are needed. When a theater company is the sole company in residence at a theater venue, this theater (and it's corresponding theater company) are called a '''resident theater''' or a '''producing theater''', because the venue produces its own work. Other theater companies, as well as dance companies, do not have their own theater venue. These companies will therefore either perform at '''rental theaters''' or at '''presenting theaters'''. Both rental and presenting theaters have no full time resident companies. They do, however, sometimes have one (or multiple) part time resident companies, in addition to other independent partner companies who arrange to use the space when available. A rental theater allows the independent companies to seek out the space, while a presenting theater seeks out the independent companies to support their work by presenting them on their stage.
[[Found Theatre]] is an exception to this rule, putting on pieces of theater without a theater venue. These performances can take place outside or inside, in a non-traditional performance space, and include [[street theater]], and [[site specific theatre]].
A [[touring theater|touring company]] is an independent theater or dance company that travels, often internationally, being presented at a different theater in each city.
===Theaters for Specific Genres===
Because there is such a range of genres within theater, there is a wide range of needs for different types of performances. For this reason, theater venues often specialize in a particular genre. This includes [[List of theaters for dance|dance theaters]] and [[opera house]]s. [[Concert hall]]s are venues designed specifically for music performances, although they often hold dance performances, as well, and are only labeled "theaters" by a broad definition of the word.
===For Profit v. Not for Profit===
The majority of theater venues and companies are [[non-profit organization]]s. However, some large theaters, especially on Broadway operate for profit.
===Union v. Non-Union===
There are many theater unions including [[Actors Equity Association]] (for actors and stage managers), the [[Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers]] (SSDC), and the [[International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees]] (IATSE, for designers and technicians). Many theaters require that their staff be members of these organizations.
== Notable theatre festivals ==
* [http://www.blythfestival.com/ Blyth Festival] - [[Blyth, Ontario]], Canada.
* [http://www.festivaldeteatro.com.br/english/ Curitiba Theatre Festival] - Brazil.
* [[Edinburgh International Festival]].
* [http://www.festivaldeteatro.com.co/FITB.html Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro de Bogotá].
* [http://www.festivalderua.com/arte.html Festival Internacional de Artistas de Rua da Bahia] - [[Brazil]]. (Street artists).
* [http://www.galwayartsfestival.com Galway Arts Festival (Galway Ireland)].
* [http://www.goldenmask.ru/eng/index.shtml Golden Mask Festival] (Russia).
* [[Natyanjali]] Classical Indian musical theatre festival in the Hindu temples of [[South India]].
* [http://www.osfashland.org/index.aspx/ Oregon Shakespeare Festival] - [[Ashland, Oregon]].
* [[Pacific Playwrights Festival]] at [[South Coast Repertory]] ([[Costa Mesa, California]]).
* [http://www.project06.com Project06 (Galway Ireland)].
* [http://www.shawfest.com/ Shaw Festival] - [[Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario]], Canada.
* [http://www.stratfordfestival.ca/ Stratford Shakespeare Festival] - [[Stratford, Ontario|Stratford, Ontario, Canada]].
* [http://www.wtfestival.org/ Williamstown Theatre Festival] - Williamstown, Massachusetts
== Awards in theatre ==
* [[Back Stage West Garland Awards]] (USA)
* [[Drama Desk Award]] ([[United States|USA]])
* Dora Award ([[Canada]])
* [[Elliot Norton Awards]] ([[Boston|Boston, MA]], USA)
* [[European Theatre Award]] ([[Europe]])
* [[Evening Standard Awards]] ([[United Kingdom]])
* [[Golden Mask Award]] ([[Russia]])
* [[Green Room Award]] (Australia)
* [[Hans-Reinhart-Ring]] ([[Switzerland]])
* [[Helpmann Award]] (Australia)
* Jessie Award (Canada)
* [[Joseph Jefferson Award]] (USA)
* [[Laurence Olivier Awards]] (United Kingdom)
* [[London Critics' Circle Theatre Awards]] (United Kingdom)
* [[Lucille Lortel Award]] (USA)
* [[Manchester Evening News]] Annual Drama Awards (United Kingdom)
* [[Matilda Award]] (Australia)
* [[Musical Awards Gala]] (Netherlands)
* [[Naledi Theatre Awards]] (South Africa)
* [[New York Innovative Theatre Awards]] (USA)
* [[Masks (award)|Masks]] ([[Quebec]], [[Canada]])
* [[Molière Award]] ([[France]])
* [[Obie Award]] (USA)
* [[Ovation Awards]] (USA)
* [[Sangeet Natak Akademi|Sangeet Natak Academy Award]] (India)
* Sterling Award (Canada)
* [[Theatre Pasta Theatre Awards]] (USA)[http://www.theatrepastaawards.com Official Website]
* [[Tony Award]] (USA)
==Technical theatre==
{{main|Stagecraft}}
The most recognisable figures in theatre are the [[Theatre director|director]]s, [[playwright]]s, and [[actor]]s, but theatre is a highly collaborative endeavour. Plays are usually produced by a [[production team]] that commonly includes a [[set designer|scenic or set designer]], [[lighting designer]], [[costume designer]], [[sound design]]er, [[dramaturg]], [[Stage management|stage manager]], [[props mistress]] or [[props master]] and [[production manager]]. The artistic staff is assisted by [[technical theatre]] personnel who handle creation and execution of the production.
== See also ==
{{commons}}
* [[Theater (structure)]]
* [[:Category:Theatre by country|Theatre by country]]
* [[:Category:Theatres by country|Theatres by country]]
* [[2008 in theater]]
* [[List of theatre personnel|Jobs in theater]]
* [[List of playwrights]]
* [[List of theatre directors]]
* [[Culinary theatre]]
* [[Movie theater|Movie theatre]]
* [[Reader's theatre]]
* [[Theatre consultant]]
* [[Theatre for development]]
* [[Theatre technique]]
* [[Theory#List of notable theories|Theatre theory]]
* [[Theatrical style]]
</table>
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
{{Wiktionarypar|actor|actress|player}}
<!-- Please do not add links to individual theatre companies, festivals, or the like. All links should be relevant to the
subject of theatre in general. Also, the no-commercial-links policy includes any links to ticket shops. -->
* [http://theater.nytimes.com/pages/theater/index.html New York Times Theater section] Theater reviews.
* [http://www.bl.uk/projects/theatrearchive/homepage.html Theatre Archive Project (UK)] British Library & University of Sheffield.
* [http://theatre.wikia.com Theatre Wikia] - An editable database dedicated to all aspects of theatre.
* [http://www.bris.ac.uk/theatrecollection/ University of Bristol Theatre Collection]
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