History of Theatre II Unit 9 Review: American Theatre in the 1800s

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

Performance Spaces and Venues

• 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