CHAPTER 1 THE NATURE OF ART 2
Evolution of the Arts 5
America’s Involvement in the Arts 11
Toward a Definition of Art 13
The Bases of Criticism in the Arts 17
The Functions of Art 21
Entertainment 22
Edification 24
Exaltation 26
CHAPTER 2 THE THEATRE AS A FINE ART 32
Toward a Definition of Theatre 34
Theatre’s Unique Relationship to the Other Fine Arts 36
The Complexities of Theatre Art 39
The Theatrical Spectrum 41
Broadway Theatre 43
The Road 47
Off-Broadway Theatre 48
Off-Off Broadway Theatre 49
Dinner Theatres 50
Regional Theatres 51
Alternative Theatre 55
Educational Theatre 56
Community Theatre 58
Children’s Theatre and Creative Dramatics 59
Other Theatrical Activities 60
CHAPTER 3 THE AUDIENCE AND CRITIC 64
The Professional Critic 67
The Functions of Criticism 69
Requisites for Excellence in Criticism 71
Critical Preferences 72
Appreciation o f Pleasure 73
Appreciation of Impact 73
Appreciation o f Form 73
Types of Drama 74
Representational Theatre 74
Presentational Theatre 76
Genre 77
Tragedy and Melodrama 78
Comedy，Satire，and Farce 82
Theatrical Styles and Trends 86
Realism 87
Symbolism 88
Expressionism 88
Epic Theatre 88
Absurdism 89
Postmodernism 90
The Theatregoer as Critic 91
CHAPTER 4 THE PLAYWRIGHT 98
The Narrative Form 100
Producing the Script 102
The Playwright’s Alternatives and Restrictions 103
Requisites for Excellence in Playwriting 105
The Contemporary Situation for the Playwright 106
Creative Procedures for the Playwright 108
Step One：Conception 109
Step Two：Execution 109
Step Three：Revision 110
Step Four：Production 111
Variations 111
Evaluating the Playwright’s Contribution 113
Intention 116
Accomplishment 118
Worth 119
CHAPTER 5 THE DIRECTOR 126
The Director’s Alternatives and Restrictions 129
Requisites for Excellence in Directing 133
The Desire for Excellence 133
Executive Ability and Leadership Qualities 134
Human Understanding 136
Imagination and Creativity 137
The Craft o f Directing 138
Formal Training 138
The Contemporary Situation for the Director 139
Creative Procedures for the Director 140
Script Selection 140
Script Analysis 142
Casting 152
Design Conferences 159
Rehearsals 160
Evaluating the Director’s Contribution 164
CHAPTER 6 THE ACTOR 170
The Actor’s Alternatives and Restrictions 172
Requisites for Excellence in Acting 178
The Contemporary Situation for the Actor 184
Creative Procedures for the Actor 186
General Self-Improvement 186
Preparing for a Specific Role 190
Evaluating the Actor’s Contribution 201
Truthfulness 202
The Demands of the Role 203
Flexibility 203
The Actor’s Reputation 203
Attractiveness 204
CHAPTER 7 THE DESIGNERS 210
The Design Process 212
The Scenic Designer 213
The Scenic Designer’s Alternatives and Restrictions 218
Requisites for Excellence in Scenic Design 222
The Contemporary Situation for the Scenic Designer 225
Creative Procedures for the Scenic Designer 227
Evaluating the Scenic Designer’s Contribution 231
The Lighting Designer 232
The Lighting Designer’s Alternatives and Restrictions 234
Requisites for Excellence in Lighting Design 236
The Contemporary Situation for the Lighting Designer 237
Creative Procedures for the Lighting Designer 238
Evaluating the Lighting Designer’s Contribution 240
The Costume Designer 242
The Costume Designer’s Alternatives and Restrictions 243
Creative Procedures for the Costume Designer 245
Makeup 248
Sound Design 249
Stage Properties 252
New Technologies 254
CHAPTER 8 THEATRE SCHOLARSHIP 258
Theatre History 260
Ancient Theatrical Traditions 260
Western Theatre Since the Fall of Rome 266
The Development of American Theatre 273
Theory and Criticism 277
The Dramaturg 278
GLOSSARY OF PEOPLE，ORGANIZATIONS，AND TERMS 281
INDEX 295
PHOTO CREDITS 307