# data[].attributes.body
Representative Points about the Time Period:
1. The Victorian Era marked a period of great growth in literature and theater.
2. Many theaters (such as the one pictured above) were built in order to accommodate the large number of people who could now come to the theater due to improvements in transportation.
3. Melodramas were common during this time.  Melodramas are characterized by exaggerated characters, plots, and emotion.
4. Theaters started using stage managers to serve as directors and organize theatrical performances.
5. All members of society attended the theater including the lower
classes and the aristocracy.

# data[].attributes.headline
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (1895)

# data[].attributes.subject
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (1895)

# data[].attributes.body
Representative Points About The Importance of Being Earnest:
1. This play was first performed on Valentine's Day in 1895 at the St James's Theatre in London.
2. This play is a humorous melodrama that uses satire to make fun of the rigid expectations and conventions of the higher class in society during the Victorian Era.
3. Some of the social conventions that are satirized include elaborate dinner parties, tea parties, importance of wealth and social position in the process of selecting a suitable husband for your daughter.
4. "Pardon me, you are not engaged to any one. When you do become engaged to some one, I, or your father, should his health permit him, will inform you of the fact." This humorous line by Lady Bracknell demonstrates the Victorian practice of selecting a marriage partner for your daughter.
5.  Themes in the play include marriage, class, hypocrisy, and the role of women.
**  This video clip shows a humorous interaction between Jack and Algernon during which Algernon describe marriage as a business matter and later Jack explains why he goes by Jack and Earnest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miG_KndA1As

# data[].attributes.body
Representative Points about the Time Period:
1. Realism characterized plays by including events that audience members could imagine happening in real life.
2. Drama also began to incorporate distortions of reality by incorporating literary devices such as expressionism and antirealism.
3. Smaller theaters that created a more intimate experience for the audience and the actors were designed.
4. Symbolism as well as abstract and dramatic stage settings were used to convey emotional states. For example, the set from Death of a Salesman pictured above.
5.  Social Realism was a common element of drama during this time.  The goal was to open people's eyes to some of the social and political issues of the time.

# data[].attributes.body
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller (1949)
Representative Points About Death of a Salesman:
1.  This play opened on Broadway in 1949 and won numerous prizes including the Pulitzer Prize.
2. This play utilizes Social Realism by highlighting the difficulties that arise in pursuit of the American Dream and in raising a family.
3.  This play utilizes antirealism by incorporating non-lucid experiences such as Willy's day dreams about the past to interpret his emotional states of despair, guilty, and nostalgia.
4.  Death of a Salesman is a modern tragedy.  Willy is an average family man who makes us reflect on the values that are important to us and the profound impact they can have on our life and the lives of those around us.

# data[].attributes.body
Representative Points About the Time Period:
1. During this time period more daring experimentation in theater and drama occurred.  Examples include the use of visual effects, technical apparatus and mixed media art.
2.  Extreme acting which pushed beyond the limits of the common theater performance was introduced.
3.  Theater performances began occupying the entire performance venue not just the stage.  Action takes place in and around the audience.  For example in the play CATS- the actors appear from within the audience and come down aisle singing and dancing. See pic above. This is a characteristic of environmental theater.
4.  Poor theater emerged.  This was in contrast to the "rich theater" that often had expensive lighting , elaborate costumes, and decorated stages.  The performance had a more minimalist appearance.
5. Theater of images was introduced.  This dramatic approach utilized extensive patterns of repetition, evocative images, and cartoon-like characters to create a hypnotic effect in the audience.
6. The Modern method of acting was introduced.  The method actor used relaxation techniques, memory exercises, and self-analysis to recreate the life of the character within oneself while on stage.

# data[].attributes.headline
Doubt: A Parable by John Patrick Shanley (2004)

# data[].attributes.subject
Doubt: A Parable by John Patrick Shanley (2004)

# data[].attributes.body
Representative Points About the Play
1.  This play challenges the traditional values and practices of the Catholic religion.
2.  The play explores the theme of ethical responsibility.  Sr. Aloysius suspects the parish priest is sexually abusing the only black student in the school.  Despite her uncertainty about Fr. Flynn's actions she knows she has an ethical responsibility to protect the well-being of the children in the school.  She commits the sin of lying in order to trap Fr. Flynn in his lie.  The play ends with a powerful moment where Sr. Alyosius shows her vulnerable side and states how she  has so much doubt.   I think she is referring to doubts about the Catholic religion and not about her actions.
3.  The play also highlights the struggles of a Black family. Donald's mother is willing to overlook what is happening to Donald since staying at the Catholic school will be.a stepping stone toward college and a better life.   She works hard and tolerates an abusive husband in order to give Donald the chance at a better life.
4.  This play encourages analysis of the practices of the Catholic Church.  The gender disparity between nuns and priests is highlighted as is the way the church handles accusations of sexual misconduct by priests.
5.  This play also addresses the theme of accountability.  Fr. Flynn states that he has confessed his sins;  a lingering tension remains- does Fr. Flynn believe he has taken accountability?  What does he owe Donald?
6. An example of Theater of Cruelty- it shocks viewers into confronting the unpleasant realities of events occuring within the Catholic Church.

# data[].attributes.body
Representative Points About the Play:
1. This play forces viewers to confront the uncomfortable realities that often exist within a marriage. It demonstrates Theater of Cruelty.
2. This play is also a satire on social class as demonstrated in the moment when Lane says "I didn't go to medical school to clean my own house".   Lane believes cleaning her own house is somehow beneath her.
3.  The title of the play is ironic because Lane is so worried about her house being immaculately clean but there is so much dirtiness in her marriage.
4. Lane's White House is an example of theatre of images.  The pristine house is a sharp image that contrasts the blemishes in Lane's marriage.  The apples are a symbol of sin and pleasure.
5. The play makes you think about love and the power of love.  Charles loves Ana so much that he travels to Alaska to find a tree to cure her and he gives up working at the hospital.  Lane loves Charles so deeply that she cares for his mistriiss while he is away in Alaska.
6.  The play also shows how love can easily be taken for granted.  Lane assumed that Charles would always love her but I think she took his love for granted.
7. The play also makes you think about how death is experienced. It's interesting how Ana dies laughing as did Matilde's father. We don't often think of the dying person laughing as they leave this world.

# data[].attributes.headline
August: Osage County by Tracy Letts (2007)

# data[].attributes.subject
August: Osage County by Tracy Letts (2007)

# data[].attributes.body
Representative Points About the Play
1. This contemporary drama  demonstrates cruelty of theater by challenging one's views about marriage, addiction, family relations, racism, and incest.   Viewer take an emotional rollercoaster ride as they confront some unpleasant realities such as infidelity,  suicide, and family dysfunction.
2. This play highlights the impact of  trauma which can be transmitted through generations.  Beverly and Violet both experience trauma as children but are unable to rise above it.  They create  a dysfunctional environment for their daughters.  Barbara passes it on to her daughter.
3.  The open fields of the plains are juxtaposed against the oppressive, dark. and stifling home of the Weston family.
4. This play demonstrates theater of images predominately through the use of language which is emotionally expressive and full of sarcasm.  For example- the moment where Barbara repeats "Eat the fish" toward the end of the play.
5.  The collage of pictures I created and posted above gives a visual representation of some of the
moments in the play.

# data[].attributes.body
Representative Points About the Play:
1. This contemporary drama demonstrates experimental theater.  The third wall is broken as Rothko talks to the audience and the audience becomes part of the play.
2.  The play also demonstrates poor theater as the set is very minimal which is a great representation of an artist's work studio.
3.  The play challenges one's view of art and the purpose/meaning of art.  I loved the ending when Rothko  decides his art cannot live in the restaurant and he returns the money and keeps the art for himself.
4.  The mentor-student relationship between Rothko and Ken was fascinating to me.  I'm at a point in my equestrian career where the lines between mentor and student are becoming blurred.  My trainer comes to me at times for advice and suggestions and recently asked me to coach him at an equestrian competition!
5.  This play also utilizes theater of images especially in the body movements, facial expressions, and gestures used by Ken and Rothko. The moment where the set goes dark as they begin to paint almost looks like they are about to perform a dance.  It really showed art coming to life and taking form.
6. pictured above is one of Rothko's paintings.