Q4-G9-Arts-Lesson-1

Lover Theater Festival

• Event: Please join us for the Theater Festival

• Participants: DJ PNGTREE & JIMMY LI

• Activity: Wine tasting & pairings

• Date: July 15, 2019

Picture Analysis

• Task: Analyze the pictures provided at the beginning of the document.

• Prompt: Reflect on what the images could represent or mean.

Quarter 4. Grade 9 Arts

• Subject: Theatrical Forms from Different Art Periods.

Different Art Periods Overview

• Significance of varying theatrical forms across historical timelines.

A. Ancient Theater (700 B.C.E – 410 B.C.E.)

A.1: Ancient Greek Theater

• Began: Around 700 B.C.

• Theatrical Forms or Genres:

  1. Tragedy

  2. Comedy

  3. Satyr

A.2: Roman Theater

• Timeline: Emerged in the 3rd century B.C.

• Theatrical Forms or Genres:

  1. Tragedy

  2. Comedy

A.3: Tragedy

• Characteristics:

  • Focus on serious events; often featuring the main character's downfall.

  • Highly esteemed in ancient Greece.

  • Limited to three actors on stage at once.

  • Chorus of up to 15 members provided commentary and aided in scene transitions.

A.4: Thepsis

• Significance:

  • Earliest recorded actor in a tragedy.

  • Introduced mask use in performances.

  • Known as the “Father of Tragedy.”

  • The term “Thespian” derived from his name, used for actors.

A.5: Comedy

• Definition:

  • A theatrical form presenting society humorously.

  • Reflects societal wickedness and immorality to encourage behavior change.

B. Medieval Theater (500 C.E. - 1400)

B.1: Transition and Early Medieval Theater

• Forms:

  1. Mime and Pantomime

  2. Liturgical dramas - dramatized biblical events (e.g., Mystere de Adam).

B.2: High & Late Medieval Period

• Forms:3. “Feast of Fools” - festival where clerics ridicule superiors.4. Mystery Plays - formally developed plays using vernacular and featuring all-male local actors.5. Morality Plays - Examples include “The Castle of Perseverance” and “Everyman.”

C. Renaissance Theater (1400 – 1600)

C.1: Emergence of Commedia dell ‘arte

• Origin: Italy.

• Characteristics:

  • Heavy reliance on improvisation.

  • Recognizable characters with distinct personalities.

  • Reliance on "Lazzi," or comedic routines, for story progression.

  • Minimal requirements for scenery and props, emphasizing acting skills.

C.2: Various Genres

• Types:

  1. History Plays

  2. Tragedy (e.g., Revenge plays)

  3. Comedy, including City comedies

  4. Pastoral plays, Morality plays, Tragicomedy, Masque

C.3: Companies of Players

• Importance: Foundation for professional acting troupes on the Elizabethan stage.

D. Baroque Theater (1600 – 1750)

D.1: Shifting Theatrical Tastes

• Shift from traditional tragedy to lighter forms, such as tragicomedy.

• Emergence of genres like Restoration comedies and sentimental comedies reflecting cultural values.

D.2: Innovation in Playwriting

• Playwrights, such as Corneille, explored new dramatic forms, challenging norms.

• Sentimental comedies offered realistic narratives.

D.3: Technological Advancements

• Introduction of ropes and pulleys revolutionized stage settings with special effects.

• These developments led to complex productions.

D.4: New Genres and Emergence of Opera

• Opera becomes significant in this theatrical era.

E. Neoclassical Theater (1800 – 1900)

E.1: Dominance of Neoclassicism

• Adherence to classical unities in storytelling (time, place, action).

• Focus on decorum and audience etiquette.

• Lavish stage productions.

E.2: German Contributions

• Focus on historical accuracy in costumes and settings.

• Advances in theater architecture.

• Rise of German Romanticism as a form.

E.3: New Movements

• Realism: Emphasizes realistic depictions of life through naturalism.

• Symbolism: Focus on internal feelings represented symbolically.

F. Romantic Theater (1800 – 2000)

F.1: Dominance of Melodrama and Opera

• Melodrama and opera were widely popular theatrical forms.

F.2: Rise of Experimental Theater

• Rejection of traditional conventions; exploration of innovative themes.

• Prominent feature: Breaking the 'fourth wall' where actors engage directly with the audience.

F.3: Impact of Hollywood

• Despite Hollywood's rise as an entertainment hub, theater maintained its significance.

F.4: Continued Global Recognition

• Theater's continual evolution and vibrant presence on the world stage.

Summary

• Tragedy and comedy are foundational pillars of theater.

• Evolution of forms influenced by social, political, and technological changes.

• Continuous adaptation ensures theater remains a platform for creative exploration.