Chapter 2

Theatre as a metaphor for daily life Melodramatic Highly theatrical Prima donna Play-acting

Theatre is an activity that we use to describe how we live

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TV shows reflect comic traditions, techniques, characters, and structures developed in theatre Daytime soap operas Nighttime situation comedies Hospital and police shows Variety shows News documentaries

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Theatrical genres and specific plays have been appropriated by film Dreamgirls Hairspray Mamma Mia!

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Most film genres borrow from past theatrical traditions Harry Potter Batman

Early theatrical audiences were often obsessed with theatrical stars

Many film stars began their careers in theatre

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Rock stars often use theatrical comparisons to defend their work Lady Gaga

Rock stars create theatrical characters by using: Costumes Props Makeup

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Rock stars often act in films and in theatre Elvis Presley The Beatles Madonna Mark Wahlberg Ice T Tupac Shakur Eminem

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Concerts are highly theatrical events Music videos are theatrical

Narratives of videos are visual and dramatic

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Rock is used as the score for musicals Mamma Mia! Lennon All Shook Up Good Vibrations Jersey Boys Jukebox Journey

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Amusement parks present staged productions based on films

Rides incorporate theatricality ET Raiders of the Lost Ark Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror

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Restaurants with theatricalized environments Rainforest Café

Shopping centers and specialty stores with theatricalized environments Niketown American Girl

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Museums with stage presentations and exhibits that function like stage settings

Dinner theatres Sports events function like theatre spaces

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Many of the storylines in digital entertainment present a theatrical plotline

Theatrical role-playing websites

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Differences between Theatre-Related Activities and Theatre Itself Recorded performances lack performer-

audience interaction Musical performances, half-time shows, etc.

are live performances but make no pretense of dramatic production

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How the Audience Participates

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Diversity of Audiences Makeup of Audiences: Past and Present Where We See Theatre Audiences Today: Multicultural and Diverse

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Preparing for Criticism Criteria for Criticism

What is the playwright or production attempting to do?

How well has it been done? Is it worth doing?

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Decline of Critics’ and Reviewers’ Influence

The Audience Member’s Independent Judgment

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