ERIC Number: ED220893
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1982
Pages: 30
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Interpreters Theatre as Confirmed by New York Productions.
Robinette, Dan; Fields, Jay E.
Kentucky Journal of Communication Arts, v10 n1 p22-28 Fall 1982
A study was conducted to survey current directions and conventions in Interpreters Theatre (includes readers theatre, presentational theatre, and chamber theatre) through a literature review and to note the presence and function of these conventions in current Broadway shows that are predominantly representational. The essential conventions were found to be (1) an author- or director-introduced narrative element within the play, (2) minimal theatrical cues that invite an imaginative response from audiences, (3) a general tendency to give prominence to the words or ideas of the play, (4) a performer playing more than one character, and (5) a creative use of offstage/onstage focus. One or more of these five conventions were found to be an integral part of a large number of Broadway plays, including "Talley's Folly,""The Elephant Man,""Equus,""Strider,""Evita," and "Da" among others. The presence and importance of these conventions raises two questions for further study: Should instruction in Interpreters Theatre styles and techniques be increasingly important to a contemporary actor's training? and Where do these conventions originate, in the playwright, the designer, or the director? One thing is certain, the importance of these conventions will not diminish in the near future. (JL)
Descriptors: Drama, Literary Devices, Playwriting, Production Techniques, Readers Theater, Theater Arts
Publication Type: Information Analyses; Journal Articles
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A