Modern Theater

Oh the Drama! Modern drama, like modern painting and other forms of modern art, developed not in the twentieth century, but during the 19 th century Modern drama, like modern painting and other forms of modern art, developed not in the twentieth century, but during the 19 th century Modern theater was born out of a widespread reaction against the subject matters, forms, and methods of staging that had prevailed in many 18 th century and early 19 th plays. Modern theater was born out of a widespread reaction against the subject matters, forms, and methods of staging that had prevailed in many 18 th century and early 19 th plays.

Largely plays from this era are missing the romantic melodrama or neoclassical tragedy. Largely plays from this era are missing the romantic melodrama or neoclassical tragedy. Rather a new form of theater was coming about. Rather a new form of theater was coming about.

Realism “Reality” in turn became a watchword among early modern dramatists, actors, directors, and set designers. “Reality” in turn became a watchword among early modern dramatists, actors, directors, and set designers. Realism in its most literal sense developed out of a desire to bring the stage into greater conformity with the surface details or ordinary human experience. Realism in its most literal sense developed out of a desire to bring the stage into greater conformity with the surface details or ordinary human experience.

The illusion of 3D To create the illusion of a three- dimensional interior, nineteenth century set designers devised a set compose of flats arranged to form connected walls enclosing three sides of the stage with the fourth wall removed so that the audience could look into a stage room that spatially seemed just like a real one. The realistic illusion of this stage design is known as Box Set To create the illusion of a three- dimensional interior, nineteenth century set designers devised a set compose of flats arranged to form connected walls enclosing three sides of the stage with the fourth wall removed so that the audience could look into a stage room that spatially seemed just like a real one. The realistic illusion of this stage design is known as Box Set

New advances: With box sets came movable windows and doors With box sets came movable windows and doors

Interior walls of the set were decorated and hung with fixtures Interior walls of the set were decorated and hung with fixtures

Lighting changed with the advent of gaslights as well as oil lights which could show the illusion of sunlight or moonlight Lighting changed with the advent of gaslights as well as oil lights which could show the illusion of sunlight or moonlight

False thickness: which made the sets appear to have more depth then they may really have. False thickness: which made the sets appear to have more depth then they may really have.

Theater still follows the same story structure

Stage terminology Blocking - Blocking is the movement that the director gives the actors. The director blocks the play or tells the actors where to move when he is directing. Blocking - Blocking is the movement that the director gives the actors. The director blocks the play or tells the actors where to move when he is directing. Upstage – Toward or on the rear part of the stage Upstage – Toward or on the rear part of the stage Downstage – The Portion of the acting area nearest the audience Downstage – The Portion of the acting area nearest the audience Stage Left – The part of the stage on the actor’s left as the actor faces the audience Stage Left – The part of the stage on the actor’s left as the actor faces the audience Stage Right – The part of the stage on the actor’s right as the actor faces the audience. Stage Right – The part of the stage on the actor’s right as the actor faces the audience.