Concise History of Theatre, A

Focuses on the cultural significance of theatre This streamlined, engaging text helps students understand the events, places and people that have influenced the history of theatre. Learning Goals Upon completing this book, readers will be able to: Identify the major time periods and geographic areas associated with the history of theatre Distinguish relevant characteristics of theatre in diverse times and places. Describe the underlying cultural, economic, and political environments as they affected theatre in different times and places. Associate major participants who made theatre within their historical and regional context.

Table of Contents:
In this Section: 1) Brief Table of Contents 2) Full Table of Contents 1) Brief Table of Contents Introduction: The Theatre of Many Times and Places Chapter 1: Greek Theatre Chapter 2: Roman Theatre 240 BCE - 550 CE Chapter 3: Early Theatre of Asia 200 BCE - 1800 CE Chapter 4: The European Middle Ages Chapter 5: The Italian Renaissance Chapter 6: The Golden Ages of England and Spain Chapter 7: Neoclassicism: Triumph and Decline in France and England Chapter 8: Melodrama and The Rise of Commercialism 1750 - 1900 Chapter 9: Romanticism and Realism 1750 — 1900 Chapter 10: Theatre in Africa Chapter 11: Reactions to Commercialism and Realism 1900-1950 Chapter 12: Musical Theatre Chapter 13: Eclecticism: U.S. Theatre from 1950 Chapter 14: European Theatre after 1950 Chapter 15: Theatre in Asia from 1800 Chapter 16: Globalization of Theatre 2) Full Table of Contents Introduction: The Theatre of Many Times and Places The Past in the Present Theatre: A Definition Language And Its Problems Theatre-Like Activities Historical Evidence, Emphasis, and Omissions Organization Chapter 1: Greek Theatre Objectives Context Theories of the Origins of Theatre Traits of Greek Theatre Plays and Playwrights Theatre Buildings and Practices The Hellenistic Period The Shift to Rome Chapter 1 at a Glance Key Terms Captions The Play’s the Thing: Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, 427 BCE The Story of the Play How We Know: Paintings on Greek Vases How We Know: Menander and The Grouch Chapter 2: Roman Theatre 240 BCE - 550 CE Objectives Context Roman Festivals and Theatre of the Republic Tragedy and Comedy, Mostly Comedy Three Important Texts Theatre Buildings, Scenery, Costumes, and Masks Paratheatrical Entertainments Christian Opposition to Theatre The Breakup of the Empire The Eastern (Byzantine) Empire and Theatre Chapter 2 at a Glance Key Terms Captions The Play’s the Thing: Plautus’s The Menaechmi The Story of the Play How We Know: Theatre in an Ordinary Roman Town Chapter 3: Early Theatre of Asia 200 BCE - 1800 CE Objectives Context India China Japan Summary Chapter 3 at a Glance Key Terms Captions The Play's the Thing: Shakuntala The Story of the Play The Play's the Thing: Li Xingdao's Chalk Circle The Story of the Play How We Know: Shakuntala’s First Translation The Play's the Thing: The Peony Pavilion The Story of the Play Chapter 4: The European Middle Ages Objectives Context Early Medieval Drama and Theatre: 476 to 1200 Production inside the Church Later Medieval Culture and Theatre, c. 1200—1550 Religious Drama outside the Church Staging Religious Plays outside the Church Secular Drama The End of Medieval Religious Theatre: The Transformation of Medieval Secular Theatre Summary Chapter 4 at a Glance Key Terms Captions How We Know: Bishop Ethelwold’s Stage Directions for the Quem Quaeritis Trope The Play’s the Thing: The Second Shepherds' Play, Anonymous The Story of the Play How We Know: Pageant Wagons The Play’s the Thing: Everyman, Anonymous, c. 1490 The Story of the Play How We Know: Oberammergau Passion Play Chapter 5: The Italian Renaissance Objectives Context Theory: Neoclassicism Practice: Italian Renaissance Drama Illusionism Renaissance Theatre Structures Stage Settings for Illusionistic Theatre Contradiction in Mainstream Theatre An Alternative Theatre: Commedia dell’Arte Italy: Eclipse Chapter 5 at a Glance Key Terms Captions How We Know: Commedia Scenarios Act One, Flavio's Good Fortune Chapter 6: The Golden Ages of England and Spain Objectives Context England and the Golden Age Court Masques and New Conventions: Inigo Jones The Closing of English Theatres Spain in the Golden Age Summary Chapter 6 at a Glance Key Terms Captions The Play’s The Thing: Calderon de la Barca’s Life is a Dream, 1635 The Story of the Play How We Know: The Swan Drawing How We Know: Philip Henslowe’s Inventory How We Know: Three Public Theatres Chapter 7: Neoclassicism: Triumph and Decline in France and England Objectives Context French Theatre through Its Golden Age English Restoration Theatre (1660—c. 1750) The Rise of Sentimentalism: 1700–1750 Chapter 7 at a Glance Key Terms Captions How We Know: A Forgotten Theatre Recovered The Play’s the Thing: Jean Racine’s Phèdre (Phaedra), 1677 The Story of the Play The Play’s the Thing: Molière’s Tartuffe, 1669 The Story of the Play Chapter 8: Melodrama and The Rise of Commercialism 1750 - 1900 Objectives Context Theatre Becomes Commercial Theatre in Four Countries, circa 1700 to c 1850 Commercial Theatre Develops Actors, Managers From Actor-Managers to Producers Drama in the Commercial Theatre Melodrama in the Commercial Theatre Comedy in the Commercial Theatre Reactions to the Commercial Theatre Chapter 8 at a Glance Key Terms How We Know: Early Theatre Photography Captions The Play’s the Thing: Augustin Daly’s Under the Gaslight, 1867 The Story of the Play Chapter 9: Romanticism and Realism 1750 — 1900 Objectives Context Romanticism in the Theatre Romanticism in Germany, England, and France Romanticism Dwindles An Aftershock: Richard Wagner, a Romantic Artist, Flourishing 1842 to 1882 Reform After Romanticism: Realism and Naturalism, from circa 1850 Important Leaders of Realism and Naturalism Plays and Playwrights of Realism Summary Chapter 9 at a Glance Key Terms Captions The Play’s the Thing: Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, 1879 The Story of the Play Chapter 10: Theatre in Africa Objectives Context Theatre in Northern Africa Theatre in Sub-Saharan Africa Summary Key Terms Captions Play’s the Thing: Wole Soyinka, Death and the Kings Horseman, 1976 Story of the Play How We Know: Theatre in Ancient Egypt Chapter 11: Reactions to Commercialism and Realism 1900-1950 Objectives Context Revolts Against Realism and Commercialism Two Influential Theorists Against Commercialism and Realism Important US Theatre Groups The Art Theatre Movement Playwrights, Sometimes Commercial, Sometimes Realistic Theatre under Occupation and Totalitarianism Commercial Theatre Declines Summary Chapter 11 at a Glance Key Terms Captions The Play’s the Thing: Antonin Artaud’s Jet of Blood, 1924 Story of the Play: Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey into Night, produced 1956 The Story of the Play Chapter 12: Musical Theatre Objectives Context The American Musical Emerges Song Forms Musicals Since 1950 Summary Chapter 12 at a Glance Key Terms Captions The Play’s the Thing: Girl Crazy, 1930 The Story of the Musical How We Know: Preserving Musicals Chapter 13: Eclecticism: U.S. Theatre from 1950 Objectives Context Theatre Becomes Eclectic: an Overview Professional Theatre Plays Since 1950 The Political Avant-Garde in Theatre The Artistic Avant-Garde in Theatre The Avant-garde Fades Identity Theatre Emerges Absurdism, Performance Art, and Postmodernism Theatrical Responses to 9/11 and New Wars The Cultural Displacement of Theatre The Play’s the Thing: Tyler Perry and the Chitlin’ Circuit How We Know: Theatre on Film and Tape Archive Key Terms Captions The Play’s the Thing: August Wilson’s Century of African American Life The Play’s the Thing: Tennessee Williams’s A Streetcar Named Desire, 1947 The Story of the Play The Play's the Thing: Paula Vogel's The Baltimore Waltz, 1992 The Story of the Play Chapter 14: European Theatre after 1950 Objectives Context Germany Great Britian France Italy Poland European Theatre After World War II Had Wide Impact Summary Key Terms Captions The Play’s the Thing: Caryl Churchill's Top Girls, 1982 The Story of the Play Chapter 15: Theatre in Asia from 1800 Objectives Context India Chinese Theater after 1790 Later Japanese Theatre Summary Key Terms Captions The Play’s the Thing: Tragore’s The Post Office, 1924 Chapter 16: Globalization of Theatre Objectives Context Musicals in Asia Other International Musical Successes Techniques and Styles Non-European Theatre in Western Countries Global Shakespeare Belarus Free Theatre Is Globalization Theatre’s Destiny? Summary Key Terms Captions

About the Author :
Jim Patterson is a co-author of Stage Money: The Business of Professional Theater, Theater Careers: A Realistic Guide, Theatre in the Secondary School Classroom, and the seventh, eighth, and ninth editions of The Enjoyment of Theatre. He also wrote Stage Directing: The First Experiences. Jim Patterson spent three decades teaching at the University of South Carolina, where he headed the MFA directing program, served as Director of Undergraduate Studies, and directed the department’s summer theatre program. Now a Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Jim has been recognized for his work by the South Carolina Theatre Association and the South Carolina Speech Communication Association. He has directed over 140 stage productions plus numerous training films. He is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. Tim Donahue is co-author of Stage Money: The Business of the Professional Theater, Theater Careers: A Realistic Guide, and the ninth edition of The Enjoyment of Theatre. He holds an M.B.A. from the University of South Carolina, where he retired from the Department of Theatre and Dance as the director of marketing and development after nearly ten years.