Chapter 1--The Audience: Its Role and Imagination
The Relationship Between Performer and Audience
Theater as a Group Experience
The Separate Roles of Performers and Spectators
The Imagination of the Audience
The Imaginary Worlds of Theater
Chapter 2--Background and Expectations of the Audience
Background of Individual Spectators
Background of the Period
Background Information on the Play or Playwright
Expectations: The Variety of Experiences in Modern Theater
Chapter 3--The Critic and the Audience
Theatrical Criticism
Getting Started in Theater: Mel Gussow, Critic
The Audience's Relationship to Criticism: Two Issues
Chapter 4--Stage Spaces
Creating the Environment
Theater Spaces
Special Requirements of Theater Environments
Play Synopsis: A Raisin in the Sun Play Synopsis: Fefu and Her Friends Play Synopsis: King Oedipus
PART 2--The Performers and the Director
Chapter 5--Acting: Offstage and in the Past
"Acting" in Everyday Life
Acting in Life versus Acting Onstage
Photo Essay: Audra McDonald
Stage Acting: A Historical Perspective
Chapter 6--Stage Acting Today
The Acting Experience
Challenges of Acting Today
Judging Performances
Chapter 7--The Director and the Producer
The Theater Director
Getting Started in Theater: Zelda Fichandler, Director
The Producer or Manager
Completing the Picture: Playwright, Director, and Producer
Play Synopsis: Death of a Salesman Play Synopsis: The Three Sisters
PART 3--The Play: Types of Theater
Chapter 8--The Text: Subject, Purpose, and Perspective
Subject
Focus and Emphasis
Purpose
Viewpoint
Chapter 9--Tragedy and Other Serious Drama
Tragedy
Heroic Drama
Bourgeois or Domestic Drama
Melodrama
Getting Started in Theater: Emily Mann, Playwright-Director
Chapter 10--Comedy and Tragicomedy
Comedy
Tragicomedy
Theater of the Absurd
Chapter 11--Musical Theater
Background
A Brief History of the American Musical
Chapter 12--Theater of Diversity
African American Theater
Getting Started in Theater: August Wilson, Playwright
Asian American Theater
Hispanic Theater
Native American Theater
Feminist Theater
Gay and Lesbian Theater
Performance Art
Fringe Theater Festivals
Postmodernism and Culturally Diverse Theater
Play Synopsis: M. Butterfly Play Synopsis: The Way of the World Play Synopsis: Fences
PART 4-Dramatic Characters and Dramatic Structure
Chapter 13--Dramatic Characters
Types of Characters
Using Dramatic Characters Effectively: Juxtaposition and Interaction
Chapter 14--Conventions of Dramatic Structure
Essentials of Dramatic Structure
Structural Conventions: The Rules of the Game
Creating a Dramatic Structure
Chapter 15--Dramatic Structure: Climactic, Episodic, and Other Forms
Climactic Structure
Episodic Structure
Combinations of Climactic and Episodic Form
Ritual and Pattern as Dramatic Structure
Serial Structure
Experimental and Avant-Garde Theater
Getting Started in Theater: Richard Foreman, Director, Playwright, and Designer
Structure in Musical Theater
Play Synopsis: Waiting for Godot Play Synopsis: Ghosts Play Synopsis: A Streetcar Named Desire
Part 5--The Designers: Environment, Visual Elements, and Sound
Chapter 16--Scenery
A Brief History of Stage Design
"Stage Sets" in Everyday Life
Scenery for the Stage
Objectives of Scene Design
Aesthetic Aspects of Scene Design
Scene Design and Popular Entertainment
Practical Aspects of Scene Design
Getting Started in Theater: Robin Wagner, Scene Designer
The Process of Scene Design
Photo Essay: The Designer Prepares a Production
Chapter 17--Stage Costumes
Costumes in Everyday Life
Costumes for the Stage
Getting Started in Theater: Jess Goldstein, Costume Designer
Other Elements
Coordination of the Whole
Chapter 18--Lighting and Sound
Stage Lighting
Getting Started in Theater: Peggy Eisenhauer, Lighting Designer
Sound in the Theater
Play Synopsis: Mother Courage and Her Children
Epilogue: Integrating the Elements and Predicting the Future
The Audience: Integrating the Elements
The Overall Effect: What Does Theater "Mean"?
The Modern
Theater: Different Purposes, Different Experiences
The Future: What Lies Ahead?
At the end of each chapter:
Summary
Exploring Theater on the Web
Appendix A--Technical Terms
Appendix B--Major Theatrical Forms and Movements
Appendix C--Historical Outline
Wilson 9e TOC
(136.0K)
2004