1. Modern American Theatre
OUR TOWN
Modern American Theatre

2. Thornton Wilder—playwright
Born in Wisconsin in 1897; educated at Oberlin College and Yale University
Began writing career after college—novels, short stories, plays
Won Pulitzer Prize in 1927 for his novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey (2nd novel)
After reading Spoon River Anthology, wanted to create a play that exposed the buried secrets, hypocrisy, and oppressive nature of small town life
Publishes Our Town in 1938: Wins second Pulitzer Prize

3. Our Town discuss the following
How would you describe Copley/Fairlawn (the cities, not the high school) to someone who has never been here?
What are the benefits of growing up in a smaller town/suburb vs. city?
What are some of the drawbacks of growing up in a small town?

4. Our Town Opened on Broadway in 1938 Revolutionary production concept
Alienation Effect: first pioneered in Germany by Bertold Brecht, was a reaction to the realism movement in theatre
Makes the audience very aware of the artifice of theatre, the idea being that the audience will shift their focus to character and dialogue, rather than the scenery
How does Our Town do this?
Stage Manager is a character in the play—weird
Stage Manager breaks the fourth wall and directly addresses the audience
Functions as a modern day Greek Chorus
Minimal set and props—most action is pantomimed

5. Our Town
Play accepts the hypocrisy and social injustices of small town life
Uses it to teach us the life lesson that the world contains both vice and virtue (in both the big city and the small towns)
Play tracks day to day activities of small town life
Uses the triumphs and tragedies to praise humanity—Wilder might not like small town life, but he does like humanity
Play attempts to point out the value and importance of even the smallest daily activities

6. Our Town
Themes
We must be aware that this is our only life and many of us let it pass to quickly, worried about what will happen next. We need to learn to savor the moments, even the small ones.
Motifs: Importance of companionship and family, and caring for one’s neighbors (Simon Stimson)

7. Symbolism Discuss with your table groups what these symbols might mean
Time capsule in the bank (and the items in the capsule)
Howie Newsome and the Crowell boys
Emily’s song: “Blest Be the Tie that Binds”
Mrs. Gibbs Highboy