What Is Theater? Crash Course Theater #1

Summary

Crash Course Theater's inaugural episode introduces viewers to the world of theater with Mike Rugnetta as the host. He explores the definition of theater, its origins, and various theories behind its emergence, such as the connection to religious rituals, the evolution from myths, and the human 'mimetic impulse' to imitate. The episode also touches on the debate over the spelling of 'theater' versus 'theatre' and emphasizes the importance of theater in understanding human emotions and history.

Takeaways

• 🎭 The script introduces the concept of theater, encompassing various forms and spaces where performances take place, including non-traditional venues.
• 📜 Theater is not just a physical building but also refers to the performances, literature, and documentation associated with plays, including closet dramas and non-verbal scripts.
• 👤 The traditional definition of theater involves at least one actor and one audience member, but the script challenges this by mentioning performances by robots, animals, and puppets.
• 🤔 The script raises the question of what constitutes theater, with John Cage suggesting that theater is an omnipresent art form that can be facilitated by various means.
• 🎭 The script defines 'theater' more narrowly as a deliberate performance by live actors intended for a live audience, typically using scripted language.
• 📝 The debate over the spelling 'theatre' vs 'theater' is addressed, with the script opting for 'theater' for consistency, despite both being acceptable.
• 🌐 The origin of theater is not universally agreed upon, with the script presenting various theories, starting with the connection between theater and religious ritual.
• 📚 Rituals are described as a means of mediating between the human and supernatural realms, often re-enacting significant events, which is similar to what theater does.
• 🎭 The Cambridge Ritualists, including James Frazer, are mentioned for their theory that theater evolved from religious rituals, with a focus on the 'scientific' approach to theater's origins.
• 🤹‍♂️ Another theory presented is that of functionalism, suggesting that myths and theater serve to explain and rationalize the world, with theater being a way to understand ourselves.
• 🎭 The script also touches on other theories of theater's origins, such as the influence of clown figures, the ludic impulse, and Aristotle's 'mimetic impulse', which is the innate human desire to imitate and pretend.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the Crash Course Theater series?

The series focuses on exploring the history of theater, how to understand and analyze it, and it will cover various types of plays and performances.

Who is Dionysus and why is he significant in the context of this series?

Dionysus is the Greek god of theater and wine, and he is introduced as a symbol of the theatrical tradition that the series will explore.

What is the etymological meaning of the word 'theater'?

The word 'theater' traces back to its Greek origins and literally means 'the seeing place', emphasizing the aspect of witnessing performances.

Can theater be performed in non-traditional spaces?

Yes, theater can be performed in a variety of spaces including parks, parking lots, sidewalks, or private homes, not limited to traditional theater buildings.

What is a 'closet drama' in the context of theater?

A closet drama refers to a play that is not written to be performed, but is still considered part of the theater literature and documentation.

What is the basic requirement for a performance to be considered as theater?

The basic requirement for theater is the presence of at least one actor and at least one audience member.

What are some alternative forms of actors in theater?

Besides human actors, theater can also involve robots, laptops with voice synthesizers, animals, and puppets as performers.

What does the composer John Cage suggest about the nature of theater?

John Cage suggests that theater takes place all the time wherever one is, and that the art of theater simply facilitates recognizing this fact.

What is the difference between the spellings 'theater' and 'theatre'?

Both spellings are correct, with 'theatre' being more common outside the US. The spelling choice can sometimes reflect a distinction between the building ('theater') and the art form ('theatre').

What is the Ritualism theory and how does it relate to the origins of theater?

The Ritualism theory posits that theater evolved from religious rituals, which were performed to mediate between the human and supernatural worlds, and over time these rituals became more sophisticated and transformed into theater.

What is the Cambridge Ritualists' approach to understanding theater's origins?

The Cambridge Ritualists, including James Frazer, took an anthropological approach, studying 'primitive' societies to understand how their rituals might have evolved into theater.

What are some criticisms of the Cambridge Ritualists' theory of theater's origins?

Critics argue that the Cambridge Ritualists made many non-scientific guesses based on limited knowledge of the societies they studied and operated under the assumption of Euro-centrism and positivism, believing all societies evolve toward Western civilization.

What is the functionalist theory of myth and how does it differ from the ritualist perspective?

The functionalist theory suggests that myths serve an etiological function, explaining the world and justifying the existing order. Unlike the ritualists, functionalists do not assume that all societies create the same myths or evolve in the same way.

How does the 'mimetic impulse' theory contribute to the understanding of theater?

The 'mimetic impulse' theory, linked to Aristotle, suggests that humans have an innate desire to imitate and pretend, which is refined and codified into theater as a form of expression and learning.

Why does theater matter according to Percy Bysshe Shelley?

Percy Bysshe Shelley believed that theater matters because it serves the highest moral purpose of teaching the human heart about itself through its sympathies and antipathies.