TAR 103 Study Guide - Spring 2018, Comprehensive Midterm Notes - Philosophy, Nazism, Mimesis
12 Oct 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
TAR 103
MIDTERM EXAM
STUDY GUIDE
Fall 2018
Lesson One: Finding a Definition of Theatre
Objectives:
To investigate and consider the qualities and standard definitions of art and theatre
To formulate an understanding and common definition of art and theatre
To satisfy all assignment schedules, discussion threads, and submission deadlines
Study Questions:
What is Theatre? What are your ideas about theatre? Is it
spelled theatre or theater?
What does the word mean? What does theatre do?
Where do we find theatre? How is the word theater used in
areas outside of the arts? Who is theatre for?
What concepts does the dictionary definition associate with
theatre as it relates to performing arts? (such as stage, drama
etc.)
What about other uses of the word? What is meant by
theatre of war? Or theater of operations?
Additional Ideas
Theatre is a physical space. It is a place; it is the stage, the house the building
Theatre is drama. It is the narrative, the story, the conflict, the characters, and the
exploration of human experience
Theatre is the people. (Audiences, Playwrights, Composers, Producers, Directors,
Designers, artists, poets, dancers, singers, architects, technicians, craftsperson, and many
more)
It is rehearsed and involves a sharing of skills, interpretations, and talents that are
combined and ultimately shared with audiences. Theatre is collaborative from its origin to
performance)
Theatre is art. Theatre is entertainment. Theatre is performed- it is a performing art AND
a performance. Theatre is a performed art.
Art and Entertainment
Art: The imitation of something natural or imagined.
Theatre that considered itself as an art tends to reflect societal and human flaws, examining
larger truths of our culture
Theatre that considered itself as entertainment tends to examine societal and human
foibles, celebrating larger truths of our culture.
Theatre as art tends to sometimes provide an uncomfortable reflection (mirror) of our
world or ourselves, Theatre as art challenges audiences to think harder, look deeper,
confront uncomfortable truths, or come to a higher understanding; some effort is required
by the audience; it can be exhilarating, enlightening, exhausting, uncomfortable, life-
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changing. The audience is required to look at life in a different way through what has been
focused version of reality; an expression of ideas intended to explore the characteristics of
the human condition.
Theatre as entertainment is a diversion. It is chosen for its own sake: pleasure.
Theatrical entertainment is usually centered on fictional action and events played out by
actors; it is an escape from reality, it is not usually challenging to the ideas and/or comfort
zone of the audience majority; there is humor poignancy, an exploration of good and evil;
we laugh; feel good about ourselves; we feel thrilled-perhaps a bit scared; it pleases us.
Can a theatrical performance be art and entertainment? How or why not?
Representational (art and theatre) vs. Presentational (art and theatre)
Representational work is closest to realism. It represents nature as closely as
possible and achieves its effect through the viewer’s recognition of familiar
subjects, objects, sounds, shapes, and images.
This portrait of a woman, by Leonardo Da Vinci is representational art. Its
subject and references on the canvas are highly recognizable to the viewer and
the overall effect is realism.
Presentational work is abstracted reality. It also seeks to imitate reality but with
a reduced or minimal amount of recognizable references. Presentational art
often depends on the provocative use of imaginatively juxtaposed sounds,
shapes, words, images, objects, and subject.
This portrait of a woman is an imitation of reality, but is not referenced as
realism. There is an abstracted use of shapes, color, and qualities and the
viewer’s imagination is required to interpret the subject.
Ideas on Imagination and Expression
Imagination: The act or power of forming a mental image of something not present to the
senses or never before perceived in reality.
Performance: The work as it is received by an audience. Rehearsal, preparation, planning,
conceptualizing is accomplished prior to audience collaboration or viewing.
Creating and Experiencing (Receiving) the Significance of Art
We can hold a conversation about the form and function of art to understand the work better.
Formal and functional values of art are distinguished in this way:
FORM: the significance of the final presentation or performance is defined in terms of its
excellence of structure, design, and composition. The formal values of art allow us to
examine and comment on the conventions of the medium. These are the “rules” followed
or broken by the creator of the artistic expression.
FUNCTION: the significance is defined in terms of what it terms of what it will generate in
terms of art, entertainment, inspiration, instruction, or profit.
What is a performed art? What are the performing arts? Is theatre a performing art? Is theatre
also a visual art? Why or why not?
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
To investigate and consider the qualities and standard definitions of art and theatre. To formulate an understanding and common definition of art and theatre. To satisfy all assignment schedules, discussion threads, and submission deadlines. What concepts does the dictionary definition associate with theatre as it relates to performing arts? (such as stage, drama etc. ) It is a place; it is the stage, the house the building. It is the narrative, the story, the conflict, the characters, and the exploration of human experience. Theatre is the people. (audiences, playwrights, composers, producers, directors, Designers, artists, poets, dancers, singers, architects, technicians, craftsperson, and many more) It is rehearsed and involves a sharing of skills, interpretations, and talents that are combined and ultimately shared with audiences. Theatre is collaborative from its origin to performance) Theatre is performed- it is a performing art and a performance. Art: the imitation of something natural or imagined.
