The Critic and the Audience Stage Spaces

Transcription

1 The Critic and the Audience Stage Spaces

2 A critic someone who observes theatre and then analyzes and comments on it. Serves as a knowledgeable and highly sensitive audience member Criticize to find fault or to understand and appraise Critic should have a broad understanding of theatre and all its elements.

3 Critical questions: What is being attempted? Have the intentions been achieved? Was the attempt worthwhile?

4 Descriptive criticism attempts to describe as clearly and accurately as possible what is happening in the play or a performance Prescriptive criticism not only describes what has been done but also offers advice or comments about how it should be done.

5 Master Class is receiving a splendid realization in Main Street Theater's current production. This is a tricky work to pull off, because it demands a star performance of boundless range, presence and passion someone capable of behaving maddeningly without making you mad at her. The role is an actor's banquet and Celeste Roberts not only rises to, but transcends the occasion, pouncing on the opportunity like a tigress feasting on a succulent lamb.

6 McNally cunningly structures the play as one of Callas' master classes at Juilliard. Though her singing voice is gone by this time, she is still eager to share all she has learned. But oh! Her way of sharing. She goads, interrupts, humiliates, browbeats and otherwise tests the three young aspirants with whom McNally shows her interacting. True enough, it's a tough business, not for the thin-skinned. The interaction with the students is crucial especially Callas' confrontation with soprano Sharon, the most gifted and ultimately bravest of the trio. Reacting to a cruel putdown, Sharon lets Callas have it: I don't like you. You can't sing anymore, and you're envious of anyone younger who still can. You want us all to sing as you did, recklessly, so we'll lose our voices in 10 years, as you did.

7 Reviewer usually works for a news organization and reports on the events. Restricted time or space Critic greater detail in describing and analyzing the event. Scholarly magazines or journals

8 Dramaturg dramatic advisor Reading new plays Work with playwrights on development of new works Conducting research on previous productions Preparing reports on the history of plays Researching criticism and interpretations of plays Writing articles for programs Creating educational materials

9 Why do we need them? Analysis vs. Over analysis

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11 Proscenium or picture frame Proscenium Arch Fourth Wall House/ auditorium/seating is raked Main floor is the orchestra Balcony seating Fly loft Use counterweight system in the Wings

12 Arena Stage theatre in the round More intimate Audience is closer Scenery cannot be elaborate Less expensive to produce

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14 Thrust three quarter seating Based on Greek stage Skene - stage house Backstage area Orchestra area (playing space) Platform stage/ trestle stage/ wagon stage Curtain at back for entrances and exits Area underneath the stage closed off for devils to appear Courtyard stage 16 th century England (Spain corrales)

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16 Thrust stage (cont.) Globe and Rose theatre (Elizabethan theatre) Indoors and outdoors some covered seating Groundlings Inner above and Inner below No one is more than 60 feet from the stage Stage begins to retreat and becomes more of a proscenium Japanese (No) theatre

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19 Created and Found Spaces Non theatre spaces Warehouses Restaurants Barns or Hangar Audience may be seated in our around the entire space

20 Adapted spaces Company finds a place to fit the play Street theatre 1. plays from standard repertoire in the street 2. neighborhood theatre deals with aspirations and problems of specific population 3. guerrilla theatre aggressive political to persuade audiences Theatre is brought to people who might not otherwise see it.

21 Multifocus Environments More than one playing area More like everyday life (activity all around you) Action can happen simultaneously

22 All Purpose theatre: Black Box Can be adapted to many set-ups Flexible

23 The space in which a production is produced influences the production. (Starlight Express) Choice of production influences the space used.

24 In theatre we have both Critics and Reviewers A Dramaturg works for a theatre and researches for a production. Many stage spaces for theatre Space will influence the production Production may influence the space used for a production.