Theatre as human action : an introduction to theatre arts
Unlike other introductory theatre textbooks that are often written for theatre majors and assume a considerable amount of previous knowledge, this text is designed for the general education student in college - one who may not be familiar with very many plays and has only seen a limited number of theatre productions. Because it can be difficult to make references to works that students are already familiar with, this text focuses on just four plays: the tragedy Macbeth, the American classic Our Town, the landmark African American drama A Raisin in the Sun, and the contemporary rock musical Rent. At the beginning of the text, each play is described with plot synopses (and suggested video versions), and then these four representative works are referred to throughout the book. By using these four model plays, this textbook aims to inform the student about theatre arts, stimulate interest in the art form, lead to critical thinking about theatre, and prepare the student to be a more informed and critical theatregoer. The textbook looks at both the theoretical and practical aspects of theatre arts, from the nature of theatre and drama to how it reflects society to explaining the processes that playwrights, actors, designers, directors, producers, and critics go through. Finally, the textbook addresses students as contemporary theatregoers and offers ways in which to better view a theatre production, to discuss it critically, and to do a written evaluation of a theatre event
Drama
xii, 257 pages : illustrations ; 26 cm
9780810856868, 0810856867
60557305
1. The theatre
2. The play
3. The playwright
4. The play performers : the actors
5. The play makers : the director and the producer
6. The play builders : the designers
7. The playgoers : the audience and the critic