chapter 02_the audience and criticism

7/30/2019 Chapter 02_The Audience and Criticism

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Performance Review

Two options:

Home: A Dogs Tale

A play for children

Thursday, Sept. 20th 7pm at CPA

Farragut North

Nov. 7th-10th 7:30pm at The

Playhouse Theatre.


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Chapter 2:The Audience and Criticism

The Audience completes the creativeprocess

Key concepts in the audience response:

Perception

Interpretation Intention


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Key Concepts

Perception: the audiences experience of theperformance

Interpretation: how the audience derives meaningfrom the performance

Intention: what the artists (director, playwright, etc.)try to communicate to the audience through the

performanceAre the artists intentions always the same as the

interpretation of the audience?


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The audiences interpretation may or maynot match the artists intentions


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Watching a Performance

Theatrical Performance versus Film

Theatre and Film differ in numerous ways,including how the audience experiences these twotypes of performance.

What are some of the ways that VIEWING atheatrical performance is different than watching afilm?


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Theatrical Performance

OccasionGenerally, theatre is considered more of a formal orspecial occasion than film.

Tickets

Generally, reservations must be made well inadvance.

SeatingSeating is often reserved, with your assigned seatnumber appearing on your ticket.


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CreditsCredits and other information about the productionare on a printed program, given to the audience asthey enter the theatre.

Setting/SceneryThe setting or scenery is often fully viewable before thestart of the performance.

Additionally, scenery may or may not be realistic - acommon convention of theatrical performance.


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IntermissionsTheatrical performances often include one or moreintermissions. At intermission, the audience is free toleave the theatre space briefly.

FocusUnlike film, where the audiences focus is directed by

the camera, theatrical performance enables eachaudience member to choose where to look and for howlong. Theatrical artists employ techniques to guide theaudiences focus; but ultimately, each audiencemember chooses what and how to watch.


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Theatrical Performance versus Film

Quality Theatre Film

Occasion Special/Formal Regular/InformalTickets Reserved Purchase just beforeSeating Reserved Open

Credits In program before Credits roll after

Setting Often visible prior Hidden prior

Scenery May not be realistic Usually realisticIntermission Yes No

Audience Focus Viewers choice Determined by camera


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Who is the Audience?

Audiences vary significantly inseveral ways:

Aesthetic Tastes Education

Economic Status

Race

Age Culture

Community


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Influence of Audiences on Theatrical

Production

The choice of whatis performed

The style in which the production is performed The way in which the production is marketed The duration of the run; how many performances

are given


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What do YOU think?

1. What are some reasons why producers andtheatres should consider the intended audiencewhen selecting and offering theatrical

performances?2. What might happen if such consideration is NOT

given?

3. Suppose a particular theatres main audience is

composed of white, upper middle class patrons.What are some of the issues that might arise if thistheatre tries to attract new audiences, such asHispanics or gays and lesbians?


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Influence of Audiences on Theatrical

ProductionOngoing Questions for Theatres:

How many audiences do we wish to

attract/serve? How can we meet the differing interests of these

multiple audiences?

Theatre cannot exist without audiences.Sensitivity to varying audience tastes and interests isessential to achieving a diversified theatre.


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Divide into FOUR GROUPS


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IN CLASS ACTIVITY

As a group, imagine yourselves as a theatre company

with a modestoperating budget . You have the

Playhouse as your performance venue.

Consider your location Consider your audience

Pick a season for your company andjustify:

The choice of whatis performed. Why this play?

The way in which the production is marketed. Towhom and how?

The duration of the run. How many performances?


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The Audience and Critical Perspective

3-Step Process for Evaluating the Theatrical Experience:

1. One experiences the performance

2. One analyzes the performance3. One communicatesones response to another

This process reveals information about our personal tastesor aesthetics, by illuminating our thoughts and feelings.


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The Critic

Criticism = the act of making judgments

The 3 Basic Concerns of the Critic:

1. Understanding: What were the artists trying to do?

2. Effectiveness: How well did they do it?

3. Ultimate Worth: How valuable was the experience?


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Making Connections

How do you define for yourself what makes a production

satisfying or not? To answer this question, consider a

play or perhaps a movie that youve seen and your

response to it.

Make a list of 5 pros and 5 cons about theproduction.

Write a short review using your list as a basicoutline.

chapter 02_the audience and criticism

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