Introduction to Theatre

Me!

What is Performance?

Defining Performance

Performance = ACTION/DOING

-But-

There is a difference between “doing” and

“showing doing”

Defining Performance

Characteristics of Performances

Actor

Action

Audience

Arena

Arrangement

How may performances differ?

Objectives

Organization

Consciousness

Differences between mediated

and live performances

$$$

Camera

Focus

Actors

Ephemerality

Audience

Live Performances Vary WIDELY

e.g. Yoruba Ritual

Yoruba Ritual Archive

http://www.international.ucla.edu/africa/yra/

Click on “Next” at the bottom of the first two pages,

then click on the image in the middle of the top row

for a video of “Yemoja.”

The Wedding Singer

Broadway Production

2005 Tony Awards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLORqtel1Kw

Yoruba Ritual vs. The Wedding

Singer

Richard Schechner’s

Continuum of Live Performance

play games sports pop perf. daily life ritual

ent. arts

Activity

Identify a ritual in your life and break the

ritual down into the characteristics of

performance (actor, action, audience,

arena, arrangement).

Functions of Performance

A. entertain

B. make something that is

beautiful (aesthetics)

C. mark or change identity

D. make or foster community

E. heal

F. teach

G. connect with the “sacred”