This is an opinion paper—an informed opinion paper—which means writing your opinion based on what you have learned from the readings, power points, discussion posts,
and cocktail phrases used in this class. It is a chance for you to philosophize on this simple yet so very multi-layered question that scholars of theatre have been
pondering for centuries.
So, WHY THEATRE?
Why study it? Why do it? Why see it? Why is it still around? Why is it important to society? Why is it a basic need in human nature? Why is it important? These are but
a few of the questions that surround the practice of theatre.
WHY THEATRE?
Part 1:
Using what you’ve read in the book, write an essay on WHY THEATRE. You are to include in your answer these topics: acting/actors, audience, social issues, global
significance, the human element, and design. Refer to one slide from at least 6 of the power points (telling me which power point number and which slide in that power
point) that supports your discussion of these topics and ultimate answer of the main question.
Part 2:
Using at least 5 of the cocktail phrases, write a monologue (create a character, setting, person you are talking to, etc) in which you explain WHY THEATRE to someone
who has never seen a live theatre production. DO NOT JUST STRING 5 PHRASES TOGETHER. You must write a complete conversation using the phrases with content around them.
They can’t just come out of nowhere. For example:
“Dear Aunt May, you mean to tell me in all your born days you have never thought to go to the theatre? But my dear, theatre is the most human of the arts. It deals
with who we are as people and shows us our faults as if looking in a mirror.”
