Three Essential Components of a Theatre Performance

614 Words3 Pages
Once, a play being performed had nothing more than actors on stage or in an amphitheatre performing for the audience on their own merit. Now there are microphones, speakers, automated lightning systems, projected images, and even pyrotechnics. Despite the many technological advances, they serve to only enhance the theatrical experience; they are not the heart. There are three essential components at the heart of theatre, the artist, the audience, and a message, and they work together to achieve a theatre performance. Many artists work to bring a play to life. The actors, playwright, director, costumers, etc, all have a vision and collaborate to make their visions become one. They are all creators. The director must guide the actors through the process of discovering the script and their characters, as well as bring each designer’s concept in line with his own. It is up to each actor to deliver the combined vision to the audience, and to insure the vision is portrayed. Each artist must understand what the playwright’s message to the audience is. In theatre, there is a promise made to the audience to deliver a message, even one consisting of pure entertainment. Whether it is a spectacle such as “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”, or a tragedy like “Death of a Salesman” with a message about the American dream, the performance piece is the main attraction. The audience could have easily stayed home and read the play themselves, but they go to the theatre to see it come alive before their eyes. It is up to each artist to engage the audience and to tell the story. The message can give the audience catharsis, and may lead certain members to rethink aspects in their own lives. Sometimes, a piece can use spectacle to deliver a message, such as the musical “Hair”. Each artist must keep the message or the promise of spectacle in mind when creating his or her
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