All Study Guides History of Theatre II Unit 9
🎟️ History of Theatre II Unit 9 – American Theatre in the 1800sAmerican theatre in the 1800s evolved from European influences to reflect unique American experiences. Cities grew, transportation expanded, and new entertainment forms like minstrel shows and vaudeville emerged, making theatre more accessible to diverse audiences.
Key playwrights like Royall Tyler and Anna Cora Mowatt satirized American society, while melodramas and realistic dramas gained popularity. Technological advancements in lighting and stagecraft transformed performances, shaping the foundations of modern American theatre.
Historical Context
19th century American theatre influenced by European traditions (Shakespeare, French melodrama)
Growth of American cities led to increased demand for entertainment
New York, Boston, Philadelphia became major theatrical centers
Expansion of transportation networks (railroads, canals) enabled touring companies to reach wider audiences
Rise of popular entertainment forms like minstrel shows and vaudeville
American playwrights began to emerge, creating works that reflected American experiences and values
Theatre became more accessible to middle and working classes
Increasing tensions over slavery and sectionalism impacted theatrical content and reception
Key Playwrights and Works
Royall Tyler's "The Contrast" (1787) considered first American comedy
Satirized differences between American and European manners and values
William Dunlap, "Father of American Drama"
Prolific playwright, producer, and theatre manager
Works include "André" (1798) and "The Stranger" (1798)
Anna Cora Mowatt's "Fashion" (1845) satirized American social climbers
Dion Boucicault, Irish-American playwright known for melodramas
"The Octoroon" (1859) addressed slavery and racial prejudice
Bronson Howard's "Shenandoah" (1889) portrayed Civil War themes
James A. Herne's realistic dramas like "Margaret Fleming" (1890) and "Shore Acres" (1892)
Theatrical Styles and Genres
Melodrama popular genre characterized by exaggerated emotions, clear moral distinctions, and spectacular effects
Often featured virtuous heroes, dastardly villains, and thrilling rescues
Minstrel shows featured white performers in blackface portraying stereotypical African American characters
Popularized songs like "Jump Jim Crow" and "Dixie"
Reflected and reinforced racial prejudices of the time
Vaudeville variety shows included singers, dancers, comedians, acrobats, and novelty acts
Appealed to diverse audiences and helped launch careers of many famous performers
Emergence of realism in late 19th century, depicting everyday life and social issues
Influenced by European playwrights like Ibsen and Zola
Romanticism also evident in historical dramas and adaptations of classic literature
Early 19th century theatres often small, simple buildings with limited seating and basic scenery
Growth of cities led to construction of larger, more elaborate theatres
Park Theatre in New York (1798) one of the first major venues
Tremont Theatre in Boston (1827) and Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia (1809) also significant
Touring companies performed in variety of spaces (taverns, courthouses, outdoor stages)
Showboats brought theatre to towns along major rivers like the Mississippi
Theatres often segregated, with separate seating areas for different classes and races
Astor Place Riot (1849) in New York highlighted class tensions and rivalries between American and British actors
Acting Techniques and Traditions
Early 19th century acting emphasized declamatory style, with grandiose gestures and vocal projection
Influenced by British actors like Junius Brutus Booth and Edmund Kean
Emergence of more naturalistic acting in late 19th century, emphasizing emotional truth and subtlety
Associated with rise of realism and influence of Stanislavski's "system"
Actor-managers like Edwin Booth and Lester Wallack dominated American stage
Often played leading roles, managed their own companies, and controlled repertoire
Touring stars like Joseph Jefferson and Charlotte Cushman helped popularize American theatre nationwide
Minstrel shows featured exaggerated, stereotypical portrayals of African Americans
Blackface makeup and dialect used to caricature and demean
Vaudeville performers developed specialized skills and personas
Comic timing, physical comedy, and audience interaction highly valued
Technological Advancements
Gas lighting introduced in early 19th century, allowing for more elaborate and controlled stage effects
Enabled use of colored lights, fades, and blackouts
Limelight (calcium oxide) used for spotlights and special effects
Mechanized scenery and stage machinery allowed for quick set changes and spectacular visual effects
Flying rigs, trap doors, and elevators used to create illusions
Improvements in transportation (railroads, steamboats) made it easier for companies to tour
Allowed for exchange of ideas and styles between different regions
Development of photography and lithography enabled mass production of playbills and promotional materials
Electric lighting introduced in late 19th century, revolutionizing stage design and effects
Social and Cultural Influences
Theatre reflected and shaped attitudes towards race, gender, and class
Minstrel shows and vaudeville often reinforced stereotypes and prejudices
Melodramas and sentimental plays celebrated traditional values and gender roles
Plays like "Uncle Tom's Cabin" (1852) and "The Octoroon" (1859) sparked debates over slavery and race relations
Helped galvanize anti-slavery movement and fuel sectional tensions
Depictions of immigrants, working-class characters, and social issues became more common in late 19th century
Reflected growing awareness of urban poverty, labor unrest, and political corruption
Women began to make inroads as playwrights, actors, and managers
Anna Cora Mowatt, Matilda Heron, and Laura Keene challenged gender norms and expectations
Theatrical entertainment competed with other popular amusements like circuses, dime museums, and Wild West shows
Reflected diverse tastes and interests of American public
Legacy and Impact on Modern Theatre
19th century American theatre laid foundations for modern Broadway and regional theatre
Established New York as major theatrical center and hub for touring productions
Popularized distinctly American genres and styles (minstrelsy, vaudeville, melodrama)
Influenced later forms like musical comedy, variety shows, and film
Introduced technological innovations that transformed stagecraft and design
Electric lighting, mechanized scenery, and special effects still used today
Helped democratize theatre and make it more accessible to wider audiences
Cheap ticket prices, diverse entertainment, and touring companies brought theatre to the masses
Reflected and shaped American identity, values, and social norms
Staged debates over race, gender, class, and politics that continue to resonate
Nurtured generations of American playwrights, actors, and directors
Laid groundwork for realism, naturalism, and other modern theatrical movements
Preserved in works of dramatic literature, photographs, playbills, and other historical records
Provides invaluable insight into 19th century American culture and society