Viewpoints | Theatre2000 | Florida International University, Modesto A. Maidique Campus

Q1. Viewpoints | Choose a Design Medium 

Watch the following three videos. Using your personal experience and what the experts in the videos say, make a case for which design element makes the most significant contribution to the creation of the “world” of the play. Back up your opinions and observations using examples from the videos you chose to watch. 

Wicked Scenery: Design Concept – 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytFSehs2Rxw&feature=youtu.be 

Indiana Jones Sound Design Featurette Part 1 –  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWDSFihqyH8&feature=youtu.be 

Practical Technical Theater Demo: Lighting Design –  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3K8UXfvrgg&feature=youtu.be 

Q2. Viewpoints | The Modern Theatre – Passing the Torch 

The ideas of Copernicus, Galileo, Darwin, Freud, Marx and Einstein (among others!) along with the influences of the Industrial Revolution, Photography, atomic warfare, and global warming have spawned a Modern Theatre dominated by “realism.” But reading Chapter 8 reveals that realism is just another style of theatre. Every “new” style of theatre is a reaction to improve the status quo and serves a specific set of purposes, from pure entertainment, to promoting propaganda. Watch the four video clips to learn more about realism and Theatre of the Absurd. The clip of Laurel and Hardy provides an example of the kind of meaningless and repetitive activity that influenced the creation of Waiting for Godot. Think back on the many plays and styles of theatre you’ve read about in this class, and the plays and productions you’ve seen this semester. Using examples from those experiences, make a case for the production and/or production style that is most pertinent to today’s world and your own personal vision of what theatre should be for your generation. Should forward thinking theatre artists concentrate more on entertaining or enlightening? The more complete your answer, the better your grade.

 Realism in Theater – https://youtu.be/FHMQEsiaMZI 

What is THEATRE OF THE ABSURD? What does THEATRE OF THE ABSURD mean? THEATRE OF THE ABSURD meaning – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbFG7K9Ql0s&feature=youtu.be 

Laurel and Hardy “Tit for Tat” (1935) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQXoJPlwzOQ 

“Waiting for Godot” Explained with Philosophy | Philosophy Tube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsxkEs6G-9s&feature=youtu.be 

Q3. Viewpoints | Theatre East and West 

Read Chapter 7 and watch the video clips in this unit. Discuss your understanding of the similarities and the differences of the three Theatrical traditions represented. Make note of the training and behavior of actors, the types of stories enacted, the productions values, the cultural values, the symbology and the effects the productions have on audiences. Back up your opinions and observations with examples from the text and/or the videos. 

Kabuki –  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlTQUzPZU8Y&feature=youtu.be 

The World of Commedia dell’Arte – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_0TAXWt8hY&feature=youtu.be 

Kathakali Dance Drama of Kerala – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHt4bzq1uOM&feature=youtu.be 

Make -up for Kathakali – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIZYF1piRG8&feature=youtu.be 

Kalyanasougandhikam in Kathakali Part 1, Invis Multimedia, DVD – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49lTzt1cZgI&feature=youtu.be