under puritanical control, theatre performances in the american colonies were outlawed. viewing...
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AMERICAN THEATRE
Outlawed Theatre
Under Puritanical control, theatre performances in the American Colonies were outlawed.
Viewing dramatic or comic plays was thought to influence the behavior of the young and lead to maliciousness.
Audience was targeted with fines for viewing the devilish acts.
Professional actors, are said to have toured with amateur groups.
1700’s
Ideas began to change Elegant balls became popular recreation
for the wealthy. Stories of the glamour of the English
stage arrived with each docking ship. Settlers began to feel the void As rebellious attitudes grew, so did the
acceptance of new ideas. Many plays were produced by amateurs
First American Perfomances
It is impossible to know when or where the first performance took place
Performances took place in courtrooms and coffee houses or anywhere the actors could find room
Overcrowding led to riots. New laws tried to keep stage plays out,
but the people won their freedom and American theatre was born
American Theatre
There were few American-written plays Shakespeare and other British writers
became a staple for local actors First American Theatre was built in
Williamsburg, VA in 1716 The mortgage was foreclosed in 1723 Later used to produce amateur college
performances
Theatrical Families
Were not uncommon overseas Mid 1700’s they began appearing in the colonies Less expensive and easier to travel and produce
plays as a family Each family member had a special trade and
several stock roles Had to be some actors from outside the family,
but this usually resulted in actors marrying other actors
Their children naturally gravitated to acting careers
The Hallams
One of the most prevalent theatre families
Young Lewis Hallam made his debut at 12 with a single line He was so overcome with stage fright that he
ran from the stage, crying, and didn’t even say a word
He finally overcame his stage fright and acted on the American stage for 50 years
Died in 1808
Barrymores
Bridged the gap between early American theatre and modern film
Irish actor, John Drew, traveled to the states in 1846 Married Louise Lane
Three children Their daughter, Georgiana, married Irish actor,
Maurice Barrymore Three children
Lionel, Ethel, and John Barrymore These became some of the stage’s first “household names”
Today Drew Barrymore is a favorite in film, not just in America, but around the world
Barrymore Family Tree
American Theatre
Even as it grew and strengthened, American theatre lacked its own identity
Companies capitalized on European plays until the early 20th century
Hollywood was becoming the center of the film industry for the world
Even though the stage was overshadowed by film, it still was able to gain notoriety
American playwrights
Eugene O’neill Thorton Wilder Lillian Hellman William Saroyan Arthur Miller Tennessee Williams Neil Simon Lorraine Hansberry Beth Henley
Eugene O’neill1888-1953
The Iceman Cometh
Mourning Becomes Her
Electra A Long Day’s
Journey Into Night
Thornton Wilder1897-1975
Our Town The Matchmaker
(Hello, Dolly)
Lillian Hellman1905-1984
The Little Foxes Watch on the
Rhine The Searching
Wind
William Saroyan1908-1981
The Time of Your Life
After the Fall
Arthur Miller1915-2005
Death of a Salesman
The Crucible All My Sons
Tennessee Williams1911-1983
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Night of the Iguana
A Streetcar Named Desire
Suddenly Last Summer
Neil Simon1927-
The Odd Couple Brighton Beach
Memoirs Barefoot in the
Park Star-Spangled Girl
Lorraine Hansberry1930-1965
A Raisin in the Sun Les Blancs
Beth Henley1952-
Crimes of the Heart
The Miss Firecracker Contest