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Modern Theater Movements Explained

This document defines and briefly describes 16 theater and performance-related terms: Alienation, Biomechanics, Constructivism, Dada, Epic theater, Expressionism, Futurism, Naturalism, Stanislavski system, Surrealism, Symbolism, Theater of cruelty, Theatricalism, Unit set, and two starred terms. It provides a concise explanation of each term and the movements or theories they relate to in theater and performance.

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Aje Berbs
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55 views2 pages

Modern Theater Movements Explained

This document defines and briefly describes 16 theater and performance-related terms: Alienation, Biomechanics, Constructivism, Dada, Epic theater, Expressionism, Futurism, Naturalism, Stanislavski system, Surrealism, Symbolism, Theater of cruelty, Theatricalism, Unit set, and two starred terms. It provides a concise explanation of each term and the movements or theories they relate to in theater and performance.

Uploaded by

Aje Berbs
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Alienation

Bertholt Brecht's theory that, in his epic theater, audiences'


emotional involvement should be minimized to increase their
intellectual involvement with the political message.

Biomechanics
Meyerhold's theory that a performer's body should be
machinelike and that emotion could be represented externally.

Constructivism
Post-World War I scene-design movement in which sets-
frequently composed of ramps, platforms, and levels- were
nonrealistic and were intended to provide greater opportunities
for physical action.

Dada
Movement in art between the world wars, based on presenting
the irrational and attacking traditional artistic values.

Epic theater
Form of episodic drama associated with Bertholt Brecht and
aimed at the intellect rather than the emotions.

Expressionism
Movement in Germany at about the time of World War I,
characterized by an attempt to dramatize subjective states
through distortion; striking, often grotesque images; and lyric,
unrealistic dialogue.

Futurism
Art movement, begun in Italy about 1909, which idealized
mechanization and machinery.

Naturalism
Special form of realism developed in Europe in the late
nineteenth century; it was not carefully plotted or constructed
but was meant to present a "slice of life."

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Stanislavski system
Constantin Stanislavski's techniques and theories about acting,
which promote a naturalistic style stressing (among other
things) "inner truth" as opposed to conventional theatricality.

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Surrealism
Departure from realism that attempted to present dramatically
the working of the subconscious.

Symbolism
Movement of the late nineteenth century and early twentieth
century which sought to express inner truth rather than
represent life realistically.

Theater of cruelty
Antonin Artaud's visionary concept of a theater based on magic
and ritual which would liberate deep, violent, and erotic
impulses.

Theatricalism
Exposing the elements of theater so that the audience members
are aware that they are watching theater.

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Unit set
Single setting which can represent a variety of locales with the
simple addition of properties or scenic elements.

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