While the second year students continued working on their collaborative theatre project, we were given the task to create a theatre timeline. We researched the early beginning of theatre from the Greeks and Romans to Modern and Eclectic theatre. The project helped me connect my previous knowledge about theatre history and lead me to see the evolution of the art form.
Ah Ha Moments
One of the things I learned was the early history musical theatre. I had initially thought that the concept of musical theatre grew throughout the 1900's, and was popularized by Broadway. Though that is true, that is only a part of it. Incorporating songs and music acting has been an idea from Greek theatre, when they would have a chorus. Furthermore, I was surprised to know that American Musical Theatre was inspired by international theatrical movements such as the French Operatta.
Another realization that I had throughout this mini project, was the conflict between realism and expressionism. Realism, which then evolved to naturalism, was a movement that focused on topics within the real world. The content would often reflect current issues, thus being able to relate to a wider audience. In contrast, expressionism was born as a reaction to realism. Expressionism was dreamlike and portrayed imaginary topics, rejecting reality. I thought it was interesting for a theater movement to be created in opposition to another, instead of building and growing.
This was the overall Ah Ha moment for me. Finally seeing the connections and influences of theater within and out of each other. As I researched specific time period and put them together with what my peers had found, I started to find their relations. I was able to see the beginning and the evolution of theatre, seeing as new creations are created as a reaction.
I hope to continue looking at theatre this way, looking for connections, new ideas, past, present and future.