Rutgers Theater Appreciation Midterm

The Director's View of Text

*"The Worshipful Director"* *"The Heretical Director"*

HOW TO SEE A PLAY: THE BASICS

*-Arrive 30 minutes before start of show* *-Don't forget your tickets!* *-Theater is a social event* *Dress accordingly* *Don't wear clothes you'd wear to paint the house in or flip-flops* *Outdoor theater might be an exception* If it's an *opening night performance*, you might be *required to wear an evening gown or a tuxedo* *-TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONES!!!* If you check your phone at intermission, TURN IT OFF WHEN YOU GO BACK TO YOUR SEAT! You disturb other audience members The actors on stage can see your phone You might get a call during the show TURN THEM OFF!!!

Preliminary work. Explain

*-The play or musical itself* Take a little time to familiarize yourself with the play, by either reading it or reading reviews and articles about it. Have a general idea of what you are about to see. Don't assume you know what the play's about from the title. *-The program or playbill you receive when you go to your seat* Look for "Director's Notes" Look for indications of time and place that the play will take place within Get familiar with the character names and sometimes their relationship with each other Find out if there's an intermission *-The physical surroundings within the theater* Setting the mood of the show The theater itself might be ornately designed The set, if visible, can give a sense of time, place & social class Lighting may establish mood Sound/Music - Bach says something different than Country music Actors doing things on stage or in audience before start of show

What is "taken in" when watching a play?

*-The visual and aural spectacle* Lighting Sound/Music Costumes Acting *-LANGUAGE OF THE PLAY* Shakespeare? David Mamet? Are the actors speaking in a dialect? *-CHARACTERS* Who do you identify with the most? Who do you identify with the least? *-PLOT* Does it keep you engaged? Is it plausible or absurd? WHAT ARE THE REACTIONS OF THE AUDIENCE?

List what is analyzed at a performance

*-Watching while participating:* Participating in the performance Engaging in the action Empathizing with the characters "Standing back" to observe how effects are achieved *-Story and Character* How are they intertwined? Do you identify with the story? Do you identify with any of the characters? *-Idea*- specific choices made by the actors & designers An actor's appearance A looming set piece or stark set design

STYLE

*Abstraction* - how weird is the production? Set Design Costume Design Lighting and Sound Design

CONVENTIONS vs Common Sense

*An agreement between ARTIST AND AUDIENCE to do things a certain way for the good of all* Examples Time can pass between acts of a play In scenic design - when a setting is in a room of a house, a door in that house leads to another part of the house and not backstage.

Shared traits of arts(List what is signified as):

*Art is ARTIFICIAL* - an artist makes art, it doesn't just happen *Art stands ALONE* - does not need a practical purpose in life *Art is SELF-AWARE* - artists know in a general way they're trying to do something *Art PRODUCES a kind of response* - an aesthetic response, an appreciation of beauty that goes beyond merely intellectual or entertainment

POLAR ATTITUDES

*Beliefs held by a character* that are in *direct opposition* to the world in which they live -This opposition creates CONFLICT -Conflict creates DRAMATIC ACTION

2. Interpreting the play

*Determining potentials and challenges*

*"The Heretical Director"*

*Director-centered* Director is equal to the playwright Believes the author's script is only the starting point 2 possible results May lead to innovative and exciting productions People may find production offensive or meaningless

GIVEN CIRCUMSTANCES

*Everything that delineates* or defines the *special world of the play*

PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS

*Explaining why you "liked it" or why you were "bored"*

BROADWAY: IS IT EXPENSIVE????

*It costs a lot to produce!* •Musical - $8-$13 million•Play - $3-$7 million •Ticket prices•Hamilton - $12.5 million to produce •Average ticket - $248 •Top Ticket - $847 •Weekly gross - $2.6 million •To Kill a Mockingbird - $7.5 million to produce •Average ticket - $118 •Top ticket - $423 •Weekly gross - $1.3 million

WHAT KIND OF CONTRACTS CAN REGIONAL THEATERS FALL UNDER?

*LORT* -*League of Resident Theatres* •5 categories: A+, A, B, C, D based on weekly box office gross *SPT* - *Small Professional Theatre* •Commercial or non-profit theaters smaller than 350 seats outside of NY or Chicago •Salaries mostly determined by number of performances

Theater moves at its own pace through time. EXPLAIN

*No rewind or fast forward like a movie or TV show* Can't set it aside and pick it up later like a book or downloaded movie

Theater as ___________ and as ___.

*PERFORMANCE* *ART*

*Differences* among performances

*PURPOSE:* Church services so that people can worship Sports so that someone can win Politics to inform or rally a group of people *RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN AUDIENCE AND PERFORMERS* Sports fans or spectators interact with each other They also indirectly interact with players by screaming and cheering These could also happen in a campaign rally, but probably not in a play or some church services *ORGANIZING PRINCIPALS* Church services follow a schedule determined by custom, symbolism and doctrine Sporting events determined by schedule, record, playoffs Political events determined by voting schedules, important dates, unexpected national issues

What are the *shared traits* of performances

*People that do something* (performers, actors) *Something done* (a speech, ritual, or play) *Watchers* (spectators, audiences) *Performance space* (stadium, church, theater) *Time* (beginning and ending)

headshots

*Professional pictures taken of you for the purpose of identification.* They are the primary tool for actors to promote themselves They should represent you. A photo session can cost anywhere from $100 - $700

WHAT ARE OTHER EXAMPLES THAT DEPICTIONS THEATER/PERFORMANCE.

*RELIGION:* *Religious services and weddings* Predetermined sequence of events Predetermined sequence of words Certain types of "costumes" are worn SPORTS: *Predetermined sequence of events* Audience watches Time constraints to be observed "Costumes" are worn POLITICS: *Politicians speak from a stage.* An audience watches and listens. Dressing up to create an image of the politician.In essence, a costume.

lIST the Differences between arts

*Relationship with time and space* -Sculptures, Paintings, Architecture •Exists in space •You walk around it, look at it from different sides and angleso -Music, Theater, Books •Takes time to move from start to finish *Audience* oSolitary - sculpture, paintings, books oGroups - operas, dance, theater

First Rehearsal

*TABLE WORK* Begins with a meet & greet Director speaks Design presentations First read-through of the play with full cast After read-through, start "table work"

Bowdlerizing

*The censorship and/or removal of material from a text that is considered vulgar, improper or offensive.* •This can include: Sexual content Racial content CursingReligion/Politics OtherExample: "South Park: The Fractured But Whole"

Director's Control

*The degree of control the director has over a production depends on the situation* •Broadway Production Overall artistic vision may rest with the producer rather than the director Routine details of rehearsal and performance would fall to the stage manager *A director needs to have many abilities•They need organizational skills* •The ability to make decisions and be a problem solver (i.e. budget and time) •Need sensitive interpersonal skills •Must have stamina and concentration

ENVIRONMENTAL STAGE

*Theater done in or at specific (USUALLY OUTDOOR) spaces* •No traditional stage •The audience can be anywhere and can sometimes physically move with the actors from scene to scene •New York Classical Theater •A production can take over an entire building •Sleep No More•A play can take place in a car

Theater is lifelike, but it is not life EXPLAIN

*Theater is artificial* - it is created by artists *Can be used as metaphors:* o"All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players"- Shakespeare o"This world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel"- Horace Walpole, 4th Earl of Orford

Theater is *immediate and ephemeral*, WHY?

*Theater is live, now!* Theater is also *fleeting* You will *NEVER* see the same performance twice (NEVER EXACTLY THE SAME AS BEFORE, PERHAPS CLOSE BUT NOT 100%)

During the show there is an unwritten agreement between actors and audience. What is it? Elaborate

*You can respond or react however you feel like* Laughing at characters who are crying or a nervous laugh Clapping when a character you like stands up for themselves

stage manager

*maintains the shape and integrity* of the SHOW

Casting Director

*sends out a notice stating the project* their casting and what types of people they're looking for

Interpretation

*the actors and designers* all *understand the play* in the same way

BROADWAY

*•Highest level of American Theater* •Distinguished stars •Elaborate sets and costumes *•Sophisticated musicals and plays* •Defined by how many seats it has - 500+ •There are currently 41 Broadway theaters •Only theaters eligible for Tony Awards (except for the Regional Theater award)

REGIONAL THEATERS

*•Usually not-for-profit*

Previous action

-Any action mentioned in the play's dialogue that reveals any incident or action that took place BEFORE the current action of the play. -This is also known as EXPOSITION

AMATEUR THEATER: LIST THE TYPES

-EDUCATIONAL THEATER -COMMUNITY THEATER -CHILDREN'S THEATER

The Agent

-They can get you into the "big" auditions -negotiates the contract, if you get the part

What are the 6 types of environmental facts

1). Geographical Location - where the play takes place 2). Time - Date, year, season, time of day 3). Economical Environment - The character's relationship to wealth or poverty and their class in the play's society 4). Social Environment - The character's moral values and social beliefs 5). Political Environment - The character's relationship with the government they live under 6). Religious Environment - Religious beliefs, if any

There are 3 kinds of Given Circumstances

1). PREVIOUS ACTION 2) ENVIRONMENTAL FACTS - 6 types 3)POLAR ATTITUDES

A Play from start to finish: EXPLAIN THE PROCESS

1)Playwright - writes the play 2)Producer - willing to produce the play 3)Director - hired by Producer to direct the play 4)Designers - chosen by Director, approved by Producer 5)Actors - auditions are held and play is cast by Director 6)Designers - begin building sets and costumes 7)Rehearsals begin 8)Tech rehearsals begin 9)Preview performances begin 10)Opening night 11)Closing night and strike

What are the 6 parts of the play?

1)Plot- the order of incidents in the play 2)Character- how do they fit into the plot? 3)Idea- the meaning of the play 4)Language- ie. Shakespeare vs. a contemporary play 5)Music- rhythms in non-musical language or the music in musicals 6)Spectacle- design aspects

7 steps that all directors follow, but may not all follow in the same order

1. Selecting the play 2. Interpreting the play 3. Creating the Production 4.Developing a Ground Plan 5. Casting and Coaching Actors 6. Staging the Production 7.Planning, Coordinating, Rehearsing & Polishing

People go to the theater for many reasons:

1. Theater has *Immediacy, Relevance, and Engagement* 2.Theater is *SOCIAL* 3.It's a *good place* to be a part of a *great event* 4.Theater *pleases the senses* through: -The spectacle of its visual display such as:-Scenery-Costumes-Lighting -The sensation of sound:-Language-Music-Special Effects 5.*Engages the Imagination* with its stories and characters.Offers experiences we don't often have:- Exotic yet familiar- Good vs. Evil- Funny and sad 6.Theater appeals intellectually by engaging audiences with relevant issues.

OPEN NIGHT

1ST NIGHT OF CRITIQUES

THE WHOLE PROCESS OF SETTING UP A PLAY TAKES ABOUT HOW LONG?

2-4 MONTHS

4. Developing a Ground Plan

A "map" of the playing area

Theater has actors. Describe an actor's purpose

A person who *impersonates someone* other than themselves They also *perform live* in front of a live audience.

Theater = WHAT???

Actor(s) + Audience + Space

Presentation

All the *elements that the audience will see and hear* •Text •Actors •Scenery •Props •Costumes •Lighting •Sound

Equity Actor Audition

Auditioning WITH AN AGENT

Where to find work?:

Backstage Magazine Online Services

The Director

Came into being in the late 19th century *Is considered the dominant figure in a theatrical production*

Other cities market for actors

Chicago, IL Atlanta, GA Vancouver & Toronto, Canada - "Hollywood North"

1. Selecting the play

Community and educational theaters often have directors pick the play Directors might find themselves matched to a play by a commercial producer Directors can study the script before accepting the position

Who is in the audition room?

Director Casting Director Artistic Director of Theater Associate Casting Director Director's Assistant Reader or readers

7. Planning, Coordinating, Rehearsing & Polishing

Director goes through same rehearsal process as actors do, from first rehearsal to opening night

3.Creating the production

Finding a springboard Working with designers

1ST PREVIEW

First time performing in front of an audience

PROSCENIUM STAGE

Identified by having a *"proscenium arch"* •The action of the *play FITS WITHIN A FRAME* •Rigging system behind arch and possibly trap flooring •Wings •Most have an area that extends a few feet in front of arch •Sightlines can sometimes be bad PLACE EX.: *Del E. Webb Performing Arts Center- Wickenburg, AZ*

20 years ago( Acting business)

If you wanted to pursue a career in the acting business you had to los angeles Theater(Broadway)--> New York - Chicago is NY didn't work

non-equity auditions

In the room Usually the director and/or casting director in the room A reader is in the room if SIDES are used

Websites & Social Media

Instagram and Facebook

Technical Rehearsals

It's when all of the *technical and artistic elements of a production come together*on stage without an audience.

Theater IS NOT.......

NOT confined to "just the arts."

2 Major Markets for Actors

New York Los Angeles

Auditions

Non-equity actors *The goal for a non-Equity actor is to become an Equity actor. * To become an Equity actor, one can either:

Acting business in NYC means:

Once you find a place to live, you'll need "survival job" Waiter/waitressTemp employeeTeachingAny job that pays the bills, but still gives you the flexibility to go to auditions You'll need to get headshots taken and pull your acting resume together

*"The Worshipful Director"*

Playwright-centered Believes nothing should stand in the way of the script as written Will often stage a production: Without cuts to the script Male roles played by males No attention to diversity in casting The given circumstances will be meticulously followed Sets Costumes Props, etc. Plays under copyright Licenses for plays have a clause that productions present the play "as written" Roles must be cast in the gender the playwright intended

5.Casting and Coaching Actors

Producer or director puts out a casting notice

JOB INTERVIEW

SIMILAR TO A PERFORMANCE

Resume

Shows the director what experience you have and what you're capable of doing includes: - personal experience -acting experience -education -special skills

DESCRIBE HOW STUDENTS AND TEACHERS CAN BE REFERENCED AS PERFORMANCE

Students is the audience Teachers are the performers

6. Staging the Production

The process of putting the play on it

Theater is an _____, not just a ________ •Theater can happen anywhere

Theater is an *ACTION*, not just a *LOCATION*

Theater is immediate and ephemeral. Why is it so important?

Theater is here and now and *will never be repeated exactly the same way*

elaborate more on the performance space theaters use

Usually has *artificial settings* *Unlike film* where the camera can take you around the world *Can't do car chases!*

The Nature of Directing

When the *director came into being*, they took over the tasks normally done by several people *unifies and binds all elements of a production together into a cohesive whole*, in both interpretation and presentation

Performance

an activity where some *people do something while other people watch.* This happens in everyday life.

Equity Actor Auditions

auditioning WITHOUT AN AGENT The Callback

2 primary headshots

dramatic comedic 3rd would be for facial hair

Los Angeles is still primarily

film/tv

Theater is Art and there are Many different kinds of art: What are they?

oPoetry oPainting oSculpture oMusic oDance oTheater

BLOCKING

the *stage movements* created by a *collaboration between the actor and the director*

STRIKE

the taking down of the set or removal of set pieces or props in rehearsal

NYC is still primarily

theater

Chicago is thriving with

with both theater and film/tv.

BLACK BOX THEATER

•*Audience can be placed anywhere* •*The stage CAN BE PLACED WHEREVER YOU WANT in any configuration* •Often painted black to give the theater a neutral space to start with •The Levin Theater here at *Rutgers* is a black box theater

TKTS Booths

•*Half-priced tickets for Broadway shows on the day of the performance* •Producers use this to fill seats for performances that are not sold out

AMATEUR THEATER: COMMUNITY THEATER

•*In towns where there's no professional or educational theater*, they *introduce new audiences to live theater* •Very little pay, if at all •Rely on volunteers •A mix of amateur and professional actors and designers

OFF BROADWAY

•*NAMED because of the actual theater's location, on a street just off of Broadway* •Defined by number of seats - 100 to 499 •Cost to produce - $1 - $2 million dollars on average •Some shows "transfer" to Broadway •Rent - New York Theater Workshop 1993 & 1996 •Avenue Q - Vineyard Theatre 2003 •Hamilton - The Public Theater 2015

TheatER or TheatRE?

•*No real difference really.* •They can be interchangeable. •Some consider the craft to be theatRE and the actual space to be theatER.

AMATEUR THEATER: EDUCATIONAL THEATER

•*Rutgers Mason Gross Theater Dept. is an example* •First theater degree in 1914 at Carnegie Institute of Technology •*More than 2,000 programs in the U.S.* •Whole range of plays offered

ARENA STAGE

•*Stage is surrounded on all sides by the audience(SQUARE SHAPED)* •Also called "Theater in the Round" •Entrances are through audience •Scene changes are done either in blackout or in full view of the audience •Can sometimes have trap flooring

OFF OF BROADWAY ORIGINS

•*Started in late 1950's as a place for experimental, anti-commercial theater* •Defined by 99 seats or less •Cost to produce - $1,000 - $50,000+ •Performed in various spaces •Coffee houses •Cellars •Churches, etc.

THRUST STAGE

•Audience on *3 sides of stage* •No arch •Actors can enter from the aisles •Actors can enter from the vomitories (or voms) that come from beneath the audience

AMATEUR THEATER: CHILDREN'S THEATER

•Created to *produce plays geared toward young audiences* to instill a love of theater •Can vary in content •Creative retellings of fairy tales, myths, and legends •Plays that discuss social issues like •Drugs •Divorce •Sexual abuse •Bubbalonian Encounter

Stop Clause

•Enables theater owners to *evict a show if grosses fall below an agreed upon level* for 2 consecutive weeks. •Beetlejuice

WHAT ARE THE 5 MAJOR BENEFITS THAT REGIONAL THEATERS OFFER?

•Provide a place where *new and classic plays can coexist* •Developing *new audiences for live theater* •*Training ground* for theater artists •Help to *stretch an actor's craft* •Provide *more jobs*

Broadway Tours

•Seldom *use original stars* •Helps *recoup losses from Broadway flops* •Brings Broadway to people that might not ever see it

Theater = Actor(s) + Audience + Space •Without ________, you would be in rehearsal •Without _____, it would be a radio performance •Without ______, it would be a group of people in a room.

•Without AUDIENCE, you would be in rehearsal •Without SPACE, it would be a radio performance •Without ACTORS, it would be a group of people in a room.