American Theatre

American Theatre

Outlawed Theatre • Under Puritanical control, theatre performances in the American Colonies were outlawed. • Viewing dramatic or comic plays was thought to influence the behavior of the young and lead to maliciousness. • Audience was targeted with fines for viewing the devilish acts. • Professional actors, are said to have toured with amateur groups.

1700’s • Ideas began to change • Elegant balls became popular recreation for the wealthy. • Stories of the glamour of the English stage arrived with each docking ship. • Settlers began to feel the void • As rebellious attitudes grew, so did the acceptance of new ideas. • Many plays were produced by amateurs

First American Perfomances • It is impossible to know when or where the first performance took place • Performances took place in courtrooms and coffee houses or anywhere the actors could find room • Overcrowding led to riots. • New laws tried to keep stage plays out, but the people won their freedom and American theatre was born

American Theatre • There were few American-written plays • Shakespeare and other British writers became a staple for local actors • First American Theatre was built in Williamsburg, VA in 1716 • The mortgage was foreclosed in 1723 • Later used to produce amateur college performances

Theatrical Families • Were not uncommon overseas • Mid 1700’s they began appearing in the colonies • Less expensive and easier to travel and produce plays as a family • Each family member had a special trade and several stock roles • Had to be some actors from outside the family, but this usually resulted in actors marrying other actors • Their children naturally gravitated to acting careers

The Hallams • One of the most prevalent theatre families • Young Lewis Hallam made his debut at 12 with a single line • He was so overcome with stage fright that he ran from the stage, crying, and didn’t even say a word • He finally overcame his stage fright and acted on the American stage for 50 years • Died in 1808

Barrymores • Bridged the gap between early American theatre and modern film • Irish actor, John Drew, traveled to the states in 1846 • Married Louise Lane • Three children • Their daughter, Georgiana, married Irish actor, Maurice Barrymore • Three children • Lionel, Ethel, and John Barrymore • These became some of the stage’s first “household names” • Today Drew Barrymore is a favorite in film, not just in America, but around the world

Barrymore Family Tree

American Theatre • Even as it grew and strengthened, American theatre lacked its own identity • Companies capitalized on European plays until the early 20th century • Hollywood was becoming the center of the film industry for the world • Even though the stage was overshadowed by film, it still was able to gain notoriety

American playwrights • Eugene O’neill • Thorton Wilder • Lillian Hellman • William Saroyan • Arthur Miller • Tennessee Williams • Neil Simon • Lorraine Hansberry • Beth Henley

Eugene O’neill1888-1953 • The Iceman Cometh • Mourning Becomes Her • Electra • A Long Day’s Journey Into Night

Thornton Wilder1897-1975 • Our Town • The Matchmaker (Hello, Dolly)

Lillian Hellman1905-1984 • The Little Foxes • Watch on the Rhine • The Searching Wind

William Saroyan1908-1981 • The Time of Your Life • After the Fall

Arthur Miller1915-2005 • Death of a Salesman • The Crucible • All My Sons

Tennessee Williams1911-1983 • Cat on a Hot Tin Roof • Night of the Iguana • A Streetcar Named Desire • Suddenly Last Summer

Neil Simon1927- • The Odd Couple • Brighton Beach Memoirs • Barefoot in the Park • Star-Spangled Girl

Lorraine Hansberry1930-1965 • A Raisin in the Sun • Les Blancs

Beth Henley1952- • Crimes of the Heart • The Miss Firecracker Contest

American Theatre