Theatre Theory

• Theatre theory is an idea to which brings new perspective, approach, or understanding of theatre and its connection to:

  • • society

    • the human condition

    • religion

• Theatre theorists are those individuals who create, discover, publish, establish, or interpret theatre theories. 

• Theatre theories can be based on/rooted in:

  • • self (the actor) in how to perform

    • sense of true self (the actor) on a psychological level

    • combination of sense of true self and performance

    • how theatre should be understood

    • the relationship between audience, theatre performed, and/or the actor

    • the relationship between society and theatre as a whole

The Complete Stanislavsky Toolkit (revised edition) by Bella Merlin

Breaks down the 3 fundamental texts for discovery, exploration, understanding, and application

Post It & Annotating Reading

While reading and discussion in class, you will be using post it notes (paper or electronic) to help you keep track of the main points of his theory, and will be part of your journal. For annotating what you are reading, use the symbols below to help organize and to make reference of your thoughts. Your use of the journal will graded at the end.

? is used for any questions or areas/ideas of confusion 

√  is used for any areas/ideas you agree with and/or like

"a downward arrow" is used for any areas/ideas you disagree with and/or dislike

"a star" is used for anything that really stands out 

Timeline 

Please have these sections of the book read before or with the lectures)

• Introduction to Stanislavsky - Jan. 5-7

• Chapter 1: Acting-Training - Jan. 10 - 14

• Chapter 2: Rehearsal Process - Jan. 19

• (don't read ahead) Chapter 4: Overview and Exercises in the Theory  - Jan. 19

• Review - Jan. 21

• Test Parts 1, 2, & 3 - Jan. 26

• Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare: Jan. 26 - Feb. 11

  • Performances & Reflection: Feb. 18

Graded Summatives 

• Tests

• Performance

• Reflection on Performance (paper or electronic)

• Journals (paper or electronic)