Drama Theatre Performance: Postmodernism and Theatre Performance

The set used for Vernon God Little was highly symbolic and simplistic; when we walked into the theatre we could visually see that there were flowers, cards and memorable items attached on the audiences seats above our heads, which already created a sombre atmosphere around the theatre.

Postmodernism is a term which is highly contested in the sociological world, where it is used to indicate a significant detachment from modernism. It is easier to give the uses of the term; ‘to give a name to the present historical period, to name a specific style in arts and architecture and to name a point of rupture or disjuncture in epistemology’ (Buchanan, 2010). For this,

In Scott McCloud’s “Understanding Comics,” he defines art as both “any human activity that doesn’t grow out of EITHER of our species two basic instincts: survival and reproduction” (164), and “the way we assert our identities as individuals and break out of the narrow roles nature cast us in” (166). Although McCloud was discussing graphic novels in his work, I think that these quotes and his argument apply to any type of visual rhetoric. As a former theatre minor at Marquette, I have had the opportunity to be privy to this argument in the form of theatre. Watching a play unfold onstage has an effect on the participating audience, largely due to the intricacies of each scene. While a good play must start out

Postmodernism in a nutshell. When was it created? How did it fail or did it? Is there redemption in postmodernism?

Throughout theatre history performances have changed to become more than the mere spectacles for audience to go and mindlessly observe, there have been many different factors effecting this change either through environmental, political or economic circumstances which has resulted in theatre becoming more meaningful whilst providing a wide range of genres. However in this essay I will be discussing the importance of feminism in modern theatre through the beginning and height of modernism, and how waves of feminism have influenced theatre today.

The Mayor of Los Angeles has challenged students to create a model of a city or public place comparable to a cell. He believes that basing the designs on a cell will help this place run smoother because cells have worked so well in humans and other living organisms. Cells are made up of organelles which each has a particular function in helping the cell thrive. Cities, schools and other public places also have parts that have individual functions, although these parts only resemble a cell when you dig deeper. My partner and I decided to create a model of a theatre called “The Thriving Theatre” using this theory.

To fully appreciate the differences and similarities between Postmodernism and Modernism, it is required to understand exactly what they are. Modernism is the term we give to the accumulated creations and activities of designers in the early 20th century, who had the theory that traditional forms of literature, religion, social organization, and most of all, art and architecture, had become outdated in the new social, political, and economic environment of a fully industrialised world. One of the main characteristics of Modernism is self-consciousness, which typically caused exstensive experimentations of form and function. The creative process of generating work was also explored, forming new techniques in design. Modernism rejected all ideology of realism and prefers to reference and parody works of the past. Postmodernism, on the other hand, is a radical rejection of Modernist design. Taking place in the late 20th century, it is a movement in art, criticism, and architecture that disputes the majority of modernist tendencies. The Postmodernist analysis of society and culture lead to the expansion of critical theory and advanced the works of architecture, literature, and design. This entire re-evaluation of the western value system of popular culture, love, marriage, economy, that took place from the 1950s and 60s, leading to the peak of the Social Revolution in 1968, is commonly referred as Postmodernity which influenced postmodern thought, as opposed to the term

The participatory theatre for children does not only entertain children with the fantasy world but the aim of this theatre is providing high quality arts projects for young audience and open the door for children to be more cooperative and social development from involving the performance. Fortunately, children have huge enthusiasm to response the performance that it is different from adult character who do not want to be expose in the stage so this benefits can reduces space of theatre that will provides opportunity of children can have deeper understanding. This essay will explore the four main elements which activate the success of participatory children’s

All art, specifically theatre, is created to understand human existence. It is a search for how and why we feel and do the things we do. It’s scavenging for why things happen and the relationships we have to others. It looks for the truth and the calm in the whirlwind that is life.

The company name which our group chose was Vivid Theatre. I chose this because it reflects how we were a professional theatre company, and I wanted our performance to be vivid, and engaging. This is why our group chose this name for our company.

The most mysterious aspect of theater is found in the sliver of space hidden between the dimensions of the world created onstage and the one awaiting its members after the final curtain call. Despite seldom being seen by the audience, this hideaway witnesses the most magical feats. Set pieces being maneuvered as if playing lifesize versions of tetris, actors taking their final moments before entering into a different human body, and casts molding their energy with one another to become whole. Every minute action taking place backstage is in preparation for the masterpiece about to begin. My life thus far has taken place backstage. Every play that I have been a part of, organization I have volunteered for and opportunity I have taken has prepared and shaped the stage which will soon begin to unfold.

Theatre in the Community Britain in 1979 was a place of great change and division. Although the country had united in the election of Margaret Thatcher as the first Conservative woman Prime minister by the early 1980’s one could say that the country was spiralling into a state of decline. This was largely due to the disarray of the previous Labour government and the implementation of the Conservative government’s robust style of economic management. All spheres of social and cultural life were to be judged on their economic terms and values. This is particularly true within the Arts.

Lyotard, Jean François. The Postmodern Explained to Children: Correspondence "Answering the Question: What Is the Postmodern?", 1982-1985. Sydney: Power Publications, 1992.

In my next few semesters, I would actively volunteer for organizations, if possible, I hope it would be drama box, to hone not only my “jokering” and actor-facilitation skills but also the history behind what exactly is forum theatre. Boal had challenged the practice of the use of the theatre as a tool for social control, and suggests a new way of conceptualizing theatre, its function and its forms. He talks about the innate human desire to act and perform and the need to democratize the theatre (Durden & Nduhura, 2015). Though Boal suggest that it is human nature to have the desire to act and the need to speak up, the play have to be charged up enough for the audience to feel the need to intervene and could overcome their reluctance to remain in their seat. This means that I have a lot of home work to do before I can start directing my own

The Theorist that I have chosen is Robert Wilson, who is an American avante garde theatre practitioner from Waco, Texas. Wilson has also been a sound and lighting designer. I chose this theorist because I was interested by the fact that he grew up with an auditory processing diagnosis (Koniasberg) which is also a diagnosis that I have. Wilson is well known for his collaboration with other artists such as Philip Glass on Einstein on the Beach as well as Lady Gaga. Wilson often pushes the boundaries of theatre. In other words, “His works are noted for their austere style, very slow movement, and often extreme scale in space or in time” (Duffie) Furthermore, “His work is particularly distinguished by its unusual combinations of dance, movement, light, sculpture, music and words” (Goethe Institute) Wilsons work continues to show a high level of diversity and contrast. Wilson does not like traditional theatre, because when he visited shows on Broadway in New York during his time there, he never enjoyed any of the performances that he watched. Wilson work has certainly been significant in changing the perception and forms in which theatre can be performed