Briefly describe and discuss the principle “isms” of the anti-realistic theatre.

Paper Formats

Please use standard college style and form for these papers: double-spaced, non-italic legible font of at least 12 pt. size. Grammar, punctuation, spelling and usage must be appropriate for a university level essay. This is formal writing— slang, gratuitous profanity and text-message vocabulary are not welcome, thank you.

Choose THREE of the essay topics below from chapters 9-16, and submit a 12 page paper (4 pages minimum per essay question) in the online drop box. Be sure to copy the question itself as a header for each essay.

Essay Directions:

Ch. 9
Briefly describe and discuss the principle “isms” of the anti-realistic theatre. Find a YouTube clip from a play that comes from one of these styles, e.g. Beckett or Ionesco, and comment upon the manner in which this “ism” is evident in the clip.

Ch. 10
Rent or stream the video or film versions/adaptations of two of the following stage musicals: The Producers, Camelot, Into the Woods or Mamma Mia and comment on the structure, characters and theme of each work using the material in this chapter to give your analysis substance and depth. (A live recording of the 1982 Broadway revival of Camelot, starring Richard Harris, is available in 3 parts on YouTube—see link.)

Ch. 11
Briefly recap the major artists/works who were discussed or profiled in this chapter on the modern theatre. How are these artists/works different from those of the “not modern” eras you have studied so far? Can you offer a checklist of attributes or qualities of the “modern” era in theatre? Which of the named artists or works captured your interest the most? Why? Which aspect/artist were you least interested in, and why?

Ch. 12
There are two approaches to the work of the actor: the external and the internal. Comment on each of these ways of working and cite some advocates of each side of the issue. Is either side right (or wrong)? Does the real truth lie somewhere in the middle ground? Rent a film/video in which Patrick Stewart or Meryl Streep plays a prominent role, and analyze in detail their “acting” using the information you have gleaned from this chapter. (Alternatively, attend a live professional play and describe/analyze the performance of one of the leading actors.)

Ch. 13
How have contemporary playwrights such as Tony Kushner, David Henry Hwang, Neil LaBute, and Suzan-Lori Parks written works with gravity and pertinence to today’s issues? Find a YouTube clip or rent a video (such as Angels in America) of a play by any of these playwrights and comment in detail upon the language and style of the piece. (Include a link to the clip in your essay.)

Ch. 14
Describe the duties and importance of the principal members of the technical production team. How does each member contribute to a play’s overall success? Designers of costumes and scenery also work on feature films—the scenic designer in a film is often called the “Art Director.” Select a feature film that you have seen recently or attend a professional stage production and analyze the work of the costume designer or the scenic designer. Be sure to identify this designer, and if possible do some research and include information about their training and other work in the essay.

Ch. 15
What was happening in Western society that influenced Saxe-Meiningen, Antoine, Stanislavsky, and others to begin “directing” at about the same time? What are the principal tasks of a modern stage director? Watch the YouTube clip about The Lion King (available on the links tab) and comment on the role of Julie Taymor in bringing her vision to the stage. Research Ms. Taymor and tell of her other work and experiences in the arts.

Ch. 16
Do we need critics? What purpose do they serve? Reflect on why we should (or should not) have critics. Log on to the New York Times website (link) and read a current stage review. Analyze and comment upon the review using the information about criticism from ch. 16 to frame your analysis.