Origins Of Theatre
Theatre has had a tremendous impact on cultures all around the world, from ancient times to current. The earliest known theatrical event took place in ancient Egypt, around 2000 B.C.E. and their passion plays. Since then, theatre has evolved and changed into what we see in today's theatres. Theatre shows the way people view the world and society, how they see humanity and how they see themselves placed in society and in the world. It shows the viewpoints of people as well as affects and changes viewpoints of individuals and society as a whole. Theatre today is analyzed and studied in order to keep the tradition and pass it’s teachings onto further generations. Despite the tremendous praise theatre is given in the modern world, theatre has been criticized by many, one such being the famous ancient greek philosopher, Plato. Plato believed that theatre was lying to the people as it was imitation actions as well as being morally wrong. Despite this, theatre continued, though rising and falling in popularity. Theatre, practicing it and watching it has a great influence on a personal level as well, due to the creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork involved. Theatre has influenced many and changed people in ways that nothing else could.
The origin of theatre that makes the most sense to me is Richard Schechner's theory of Transformation. This theory was created by Richard Schechner, a professor emeritus at NYU Tisch and editor of the drama review. The theory of transformation is all about how theatre transforms both the actor/character as well as the viewer. This idea resonates with me because both acting in plays and viewing plays has changed my life. There are times where I have watched a performance and come out just awed, and completely transformed. The same thing has happened to me when performing a role, there are citian characters that have changed the way I view the world, though all of the characters I have played have changed me, even if it was in a smaller way. Schechner sees the audience as the transformers, without them the transformation of the actors/characters would not take place. Schechner's theory of Transformation ties into the ritual of transformation, and how people come out of a ritual (or preformance) changed. One example of this is marriage, there are the witnesses, who are the transformers, watching people getting married, changing their lives as well. Both parties leave the experience, or ritual, transformed, one having witnessed such a joyous occasion, and one being married. The idea of transformation also applies to the playwright, as the person "wins" or "loses" after putting out their play to the general public. This theory is connected to the theory of ritual because it recognises rituals as a form of theatre but adds on the idea of transformation. I believe that the origin of theatre is most closely articulated in Richard Schechner's theory of Transformation as he shows how theatre changes people, something I found to be true in my own life and journey through theatre.
The origin of theatre that makes the most sense to me is Richard Schechner's theory of Transformation. This theory was created by Richard Schechner, a professor emeritus at NYU Tisch and editor of the drama review. The theory of transformation is all about how theatre transforms both the actor/character as well as the viewer. This idea resonates with me because both acting in plays and viewing plays has changed my life. There are times where I have watched a performance and come out just awed, and completely transformed. The same thing has happened to me when performing a role, there are citian characters that have changed the way I view the world, though all of the characters I have played have changed me, even if it was in a smaller way. Schechner sees the audience as the transformers, without them the transformation of the actors/characters would not take place. Schechner's theory of Transformation ties into the ritual of transformation, and how people come out of a ritual (or preformance) changed. One example of this is marriage, there are the witnesses, who are the transformers, watching people getting married, changing their lives as well. Both parties leave the experience, or ritual, transformed, one having witnessed such a joyous occasion, and one being married. The idea of transformation also applies to the playwright, as the person "wins" or "loses" after putting out their play to the general public. This theory is connected to the theory of ritual because it recognises rituals as a form of theatre but adds on the idea of transformation. I believe that the origin of theatre is most closely articulated in Richard Schechner's theory of Transformation as he shows how theatre changes people, something I found to be true in my own life and journey through theatre.
Below is a picture of Inkernofret's stone, the only primary source proof of ancient Egyption passion play. This stone is a major reasons many view ancient Egypt as the earliest record of theatre.
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