History Of Theatre In The 18Th 19Th

History Of Theatre In The 18Th, 19Th, And 20Th Centuries Essay, Research Paper

Impact

The history of theatre in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries is one of the increasing commercialization of the art, accompanied by technological innovations, the introduction of serious critical review, expansion of the subject matters portrayed to include ordinary people, and an emphasis on more natural forms of acting. Theatre, which had been dominated by the church for centuries, and then by the tastes of monarchs for more than 200 years, became accessible to merchants, industrialists, and the less privileged and then the masses.

I feel that technology has a huge effect on the way people see the theatre. Technology has also had a huge effect on how people work in the theatre. When I talk of technology I mean television, computers, and the Internet. These three are great improvements to the theatre, and can also be a great hurt. Ever sense these things have come into play, the world of the theatre has not been the same. I feel there have been many other things that have impacted the theatre but not many has changed the way people get involved with the theatre like these.

Starting with the effects television has had on the theatre, they’ve been giant. Before television people would go out and see plays for entertainment, but now they sit at home. The theatre was the thing to do back in the day; it showed prestige and money. People would get all dressed up and go to the theatre and watch great works of art. The theatre could have been anything from plays to operas to the ballet. As the years went by starting in the late 50’s to early 60’s the theatre attendance started to fall do to the television. Getting a television in almost every home was huge to the theatre. This was the start of a drop in interest of the live arts and more to the pictures and the sounds

coming out of the little box in front of them. People know about the radio and some theatre was broadcasted over the airwaves but getting to see these broadcasts was amazing.

Today’s effects of television on the theatre are big in good and bad ways. The good thing television can do for the theatre is advertise and show clips from the play. People also like to hear what other people think and there are shows on television that will do that. Television can also show the plays in full, which can be good and or bad. The way it could be good is seeing the play on television could make someone want to see it live, than again once someone sees it they may never want to see it again. Another thing that goes along with television is a VCR if someone wants to see something bad enough they can go rent it or tape it for every time they want to see it in the future. Now there are even channels that are dedicated to showing only stuff from the stage.

This channel is called the Theatre Channel. The Theatre Channel is the first cable television network devoted to broadcasting theatre performances from national and international theatres. This channel’s objective is to bring the exciting world of theatre to everyone who purchases this channel. The Theatre Channels goal is to provide an original forum and venue for the theatre community as well as a medium through which a larger segment of the population can afford the opportunity to experience and enjoy quality theatre. I’m guessing this channel only comes on satellite or direct TV. This channel shows stuff like opera, one act plays theatre festivals, and children’s theatre.

Computers have also played a huge part in the theatre world. Computers can be used in image acquisition and manipulation, on 3D computer modeling of architectural and archaeological structures, and on applications of hypertext and hypermedia to teaching and writing history. Computers can also be used to look at costumes and make-up. Computers can be used to create playbills, scripts, and posters. Playbills can be made faster and with better designs and different types of writing. Where before they were made by hand and drawn, any mistakes must stay and be dealt with. Now on computers mistakes can be fixed and repaired with no problems. Scripts can be typed out almost mistake free and bolded or fixed to where only the lines of one person can be read. Posters can be made faster and done in many different styles. Posters don’t have to be done by hand (even though they may look better) a computer can do them. Computers changed they way people work on and off stage.

IBM was the first corporation to pursue research into how computers might be used in theatre production and research. With the help of IBM in 1979 Professors Jack Wolcott and Richard Devin received the first of many grants at the School of Drama. Professor Devin was responsible for introducing the computer into lighting design, drafting and general shop operations. Devin was also one of the first lighting designers in the US to use a lab-top during technical rehearsals to assist in the lighting of a production. Dr. Wolcott initiated several research projects with student to learn how the computer could be used as a research and teaching/learning tool in theatre history.

Let’s start talking about the Internet, the Internet is a great help to the world of theatre. Without the Internet I could have never got this done in the time I did. This is a source of knowledge, wonder, and excitement for ever