THINK Theatre

Description

THINK Theatre , with its global focus, prepares students for our interconnected world. It examines ancient performance traditions, intercultural, multicultural, experimental and familiar forms. The book balances theory and practice and explores how artistic vision intersects with social, political, and economic realities to create theatre everywhere.  Its series of boxed texts–Hidden History, Global Traditions and Innovations, and Artists in Perspective–provide interesting insights into contemporary theatrical phenomena.  Technology boxes challenge students to think critically about the importance of live performance in an era dominated by  electronic media. 

 

THINK Theatre engages today’s students through its stylish visual program, more than 200 exciting photos, and lively narrative. Throughout recorded history human beings have used performance to tell their stories and explore the meaning of their existence.  This ancient art form is explored here in a contemporary, innovative, and inexpensive text.

Debuting in its first edition, THINK Theatre engages contemporary readers through its stylish visual program, lively narrative, and side-by-side coverage of multicultural and alternative theatres with more familiar and well known performances. THINK Theatre shows readers how the intersection of artistic vision, talent, and passion intersect with social, political and economic reality to create theatre everywhere, in all its forms and variety.

·        Designed for today’s students, THINK Theatre features a clean, open, full- color, engaging visual design with dynamic photos and figures.

·        Value-Priced.  THINK Theatre retails for less than half the costs of most introductory Theatre  textbooks.

·        Hidden History focus on important historical events and trends relevant to the chapter topic and include real-life applications of the concepts presented. (ex. p. 7)

·        Artists in Perspective highlight the life and work on some of the most influential and innovative names in theatre history.  (ex. p. 12)

·        Artists in Their Own Words boxes present playwrights, actors, directors and designers talking about their craft, so students see real-life applications of the concepts they’re learning about. (ex. p. 35)

·        Global Traditions and Innovations are a discussion of the multifaceted nature of theatre as it is encountered and practiced throughout the world. (ex. p. 13)

·        THINK boxes appear throughout each chapter and pose critical thinking questions about the preceding section. (ex. p. 17)

·        Think Technology boxes focus on how technology enhances and transforms the theatrical experience for people involved in creating theatre and for audiences. (ex. p. 18)

·        End-of-chapter material features a bulleted list summary to help students quickly and efficiently review key topics. (ex. p. 19)

Chapter 1: Theatre: A Global Experience

CO Essay: Navigating the World of the Theatre

Theatre as a Reflection of Culture

Universals of the Theatre

Tradition and Innovation

Why Theatre Today?

Chapter 2: The Audience Response

CO Essay: Partners in Performance

The Audience and the Actor: The Invisible Bond

The Audience Is a Community

Audience Members Construct Meaning as Individuals

Conventions of Audience Response

Political Theatre: Moving the Audience to Action

Meeting Theatre’s Challenges

The Critical Response

The Many Faces of the Critic

Chapter 3: Understanding Plays

CO Essay: Storytelling and Cultural Tradition

The Western Play Tradition

Story and Plot

Dramatic Structure

Dramatic Characters

Dramatic Language

Form and Innovation

Chapter 4: The European Written Tradition and Its Genres

CO Essay: Genre and Cultural Context

Genre and Theatrical Convention

Tragedy

Other European Genres

Comedy

Tragicomedy

Melodrama

Genre Today

Chapter 5: Performance Traditions: Legacy and Renewal

CO Essay: Performance Traditions: Living Cultural Heritage

Indian Sanskirt Theatre

Mime and the Commedia dell’Arte Tradition

Japanese Traditions

Kyogen

Kabuki

Chinese Opera

Carnival Tradition

Puppet Traditions around the Globe

Chapter 6: Alternative Paths to Performance

CO Essay: Other Authors, Other Texts, Other Forms

Creating through Improvisation

The Performance Ensemble and Collaborative Creation

Mime and Movement Theatre

Variety Entertainment

Storytelling

Documentary Theatre

Opera and Operetta

The American Musical

The Theatre of Images

Chapter 7: The Actor: Theatre’s Living Presence

Co Essay: The Thrill of Simulation

To Act Is Human

The Universal Qualities of Acting in the Theatre

What Does an Actor Do?

The Actor’s Dual Consciousness

Acting Reflects Culture

The Development of Actor Training

The Acting Profession Today

Acting in Performance Traditions

Chapter 8: The Director: The Invisible Presence

CO Essay: Where is the Director?

Directors Mold the Theatrical Experience

Directing, a Recent Art

The Director as Interpreter of a Dramatic Text

High-Concept Directing

The Director as Acting Guru

The Director as Auteur

The Director’s Personal Qualities

Chapter 9: Theatre Spaces and Environments: The Silent Character

CO Essay: Title to Come in Copyedit

Space and Theatrical Conventions Evolve Together

The Boundaries of Theatre Spaces

Cultural Meanings of Theatre Spaces

Traditional Theatre Spaces and Environments

Created and Found Spaces

Chapter 10: Approaches to Design

CO Essay: Title to Come in Copyedit

Costume, Makeup, and Masks in Performance Traditions

Sets, Lighting, and Sound Design in Performance Traditions

Western Stage Design Before the Interpretive Model

Contemporary Western Stage Design

Chapter 11: Setting the Stage

CO Essay: Designing the Characters’ World

Goals of Set Design

The Set Designer’s Process: Collaboration, Discussion, Evolution

Principles of Composition

The Visual Elements of Set Design

The Set Designer’s Materials

Chapter 12: Dressing the Character

CO Essay: The Magic of Costumes

The Goals of Costume Design

The Costume Designer’s Process

Principles of Composition

Visual Elements of Costume Design

The Costume Designer’s Materials

Fabric, Ornaments, and Accessories

Hairstyles and Wigs

Makeup and Masks

Chapter 13: Lighting and Sound Design

CO Essay: Technology and Art in Partnership

Stage Lighting

The Lighting Designer’s Process

The Visual Elements of Lighting Design

Sound Design

The Sound Designer’s Process

Chapter 14: Making Theatre Happen

CO Essay: The Necessity of Theatre

Where Theatre Happens

Commercial and Not-for-Profit Theatre in the United States

Producing Theatre

Behind the Scenes: The Unsung Heroes of the Theatre

Methods of Collaboration