Minstrel Show

In the 1800’s a new era had begun in theatre.  Many of the working white class men started creating a theatre form to where they were mocking African Americans, yet they did not know it would become part of American history.  During the 1900’s Minstrel theatre plays became famous.  Since African American’s were not allowed on stage, white males started playing their part on stage during these performances (History of Minstrel Shows).  These scenes were originally formed to mock the ways of the African Americans.  Their songs, art, and culture were incorporated into these plays as the white males painted their faces and bodies with black paint.  These shows were created to provide entertainment for everyone, and were thought to be disrespectful and cruel to the African Americans. These white actors were "showing blacks as foolish and naive, minstrel shows presented blacks as happy with their status as slaves while perpetuating a nostalgic view of plantation life" (Felner & Orenstein, p. 334).  Yet, it is known to have spread word and experiences that the African’s were never able to share.  This showed everyone that they were more than just colored people.  These plays emphasized the songs, musical component, and art of the African Americans and even though the performances were mainly to mock the blacks, the music became well known worldwide.   In today's society these videos are viewed as very offensive and are not accepted.  When searching for videos I saw why some would be offensive, but some were very interesting in realizing how creative slaves were with what little they owned.

 

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_swtbIi2F0)

In this video you can see the costume of the white male. The entire face is painted in black, the hair texturized, and the costume of how an African American would be dressed (could sometimes be over exaggerated) during the time period. As you listen to the script you can see how the dialogue changes from character to character between the different ethnic groups. The actors and actresses use different tones in their voice and "slang" words to promote their characters.

http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/news/jimcrow/links/comer/index.htm

 

Here you can see a group of men performing a Minstrel Show.  Taking notice to their make up and outfits this is the usual costume for these men during performances.  It was important when making these characters come to life that the cast use nonverbal and verbal changes to show the characters and their way of life.

http://nicholaspayton.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/on-why-nicholas-payton-is-not-a-racist/

(http://rplatero.wikispaces.com/Immigration+and+Ethnicity)

 

I thought these pictures were interesting because they show a before and after photo of the guys who would dress as the African Americans. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6dXrm1YjBE

When watching this, even though these shows were made to make fun of the African Americans I cannot help but think about how extremely creative they are.  I feel these videos today, if viewed by society, would bring attention to everyone how creative the dances, music, and art that is involved.  When watching this I was amazed that they threw sand on the ground to make music with the steps and dance moves shown in this video. 

 



 

 

"Blackface Minstrel Show Sand Dance." YouTube. YouTube, 09 Jan. 2013. Web. 06 Mar. 2013.

 

"Cotton and Chick Watts Blackface Minstrel Show Comedy." YouTube. YouTube, 09 Jan. 2013.Web. 06 Mar. 2013.

 



Felner, Mira and Claudia Orenstein. The World of Theatre. Boston: Pearson, 2006. 334-335. Print.

"History of Minstrel Shows." OTRCAT. Old Time Radio Catalog, n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2013.

Padgett, Kenneth W. "Blackface Minstrel Shows." Blackface. n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2013.



 

Pajama Games

During the musical Pajama Games, I thought it was a lot different than seeing a film.  When we arrived we found our seats with the help of a lady checking tickets.  Once we were seated, I noticed how everyone was talking about how they heard the show was very well performed.  Usually in a film people are talking about the previews from other movie clips being shown.  Once the music started the entire audience got quiet.  This is what would also be expected in a movie theater.  Once the movie starts everyone is drawn in by the opening music.   During the play the audience responded in laugher and as part of the audience I really felt connected with the people performing in the musical.  Live theatre has a way of trying to draw your eyes to a certain spot on stage with lighting effects and people talking and singing, yet they do not have full control over what part of the stage you look at so they have many things going on.  In many parts of the play they had the main actors in the middle of the stage and then the “background” people still having conversations and doing their own thing.  I feel this does not happen a lot in a film.  In a film the director is sure to have the audience only watch what is meant to be seen.  This happens when the camera may zoom in on certain people of the film, or not have someone in the background doing something else when something important is going on in the movie.  I thought it was really interesting how I was so captured by the actors and actresses and often caught myself moving along with the beat of a the music.  During the intermission I heard people talking about how fast they transformed the stage into another scene and how great the songs were.  During films you do not have a chance to take a break and talk about what you have seen so far.  Many people were chatting about what songs they liked to most and which songs they liked the least. 

                After the intermission was over the music started again and everyone got quiet and settled into their seats.  The musical continued and the audience became one with the actors.  As everyone laughed along with each other and it showed they were following the play, and having a great time watching it.  The audience also clapped for the performers after every song.  This is something that would not happen in a film.  Once a film starts, the audience usually does not clap.  I have been in a theater watching a film and at the end no one claps.  At the end of this musical the performers came out and bowed as the audience remained clapping for each of them.  I thought it was neat because the audience showed great appreciation to the performers because we had been connected with their story the whole play.  As they were performing, I felt as if I was part of the factory and their each individual story.  I went into the theatre not knowing what to expect, or if I would like it.  But, I really enjoyed this musical and had a great experience with it. 

Commedia dell'arte

In the 1600’s a new type of theatre developed called commedia dell'arte.  It brought the rich and the poor together from in the palaces and into the streets.  The actors of these plays were involved in the whole process.  They wrote their scenarios, they acted them out and directed them.  In this type of theatre it was important to not only act, but to feel the emotion of the characters.  In the plays the masters and the servants are masked.  These masks are well known all over the world and still used in today’s society.  It was important that not only did the characters voice fit their mask, but their body language as well.  Each character has their own special traits and characteristics that make them who they are, and describes their social class.  Each of the characters had their own jokes, skits, comical insults, and physical stunts to keep the audiences involved and entertained with laughter.  The characters include; Pantalone, Il Dottore, Il Capitano,  Arlecchino, Brighella, Columbina, Piero, and Pulcinella.

                Pantalone was known as the high class character.  He was wealthy and always seemed to be miserable.  His mask showed a long, hooked nose with a face full of wrinkles.  He was famous for his big red pants.  Il Dottore plays the doctor and he acts like he knows everything but knows very little.  He is round with fat cheeks.  His stomach is pushed out, and he usually taps it if he gets idea or is sharing knowledge.  Il Capitano is the captain.  He acts big and bad, but underneath his guard he is a wimp.  His mask includes a long nose with wide eyes.  Sometimes it even included a long handlebar mustache.  Arlecchino is known as a tricky servant.  He is not very smart and is seen to have a child like personality.  His mask is one associated with a “trickster”; a cat like face with a short small nose.  Brighella is a well known liar.  He is Arlecchino’s older brother and is known to be very money greedy.  Last, but not least, is Columbina.  She is the maid, sometimes was Arlecchino’s girlfriend.  She was very wise and playful, and known to flirt with the characters. 

Ever since the creation of commedia dell'arte it has become a well known theatre form it has inspired many plays, and characters we see in today’s society of theatre.  Without it, I do not think that we would associate emotions with masks and body language as strong as we do today. 

(http://proteus.brown.edu/13things/7731)

As you can see in these sample mask's, you can see the characters personality. You can see the deep expression that the character must pick up with in order to present with the correct language, voice, and body language. 

(http://www.dellarte.com/show.aspx?sid=9&id=10)

 

In this picture you can really tell that the actors include a lot of body language with their mask look.  Their costumes also match their mask's and body language.

  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJEwuurzDe4&noredirect=1

In this video, it connects and shows how the actor's are trained in moving like the characters.  I think it shows a great way to put yourself in the position of thinking like the person in the mask.

 

 

 

Commedia Dell’arte. “A Study Guide for Students for the improvisational theater style “Comedy of Skills”.  Human Race theatre. n.d. 17 Feb. 2013. Web.

Felner, Mira, and Claudia Orenstein. The World of Theatre. Boston: Pearson, 2006. 120-121. Print.

May, Deborah. “The World of Commedia.” National Theatre. National Theatre.  n.d. 17 Feb. 2013. Web.

May, Deborah. “Shape.” National Theatre. National Theatre.  n.d. 17 Feb. 2013. Web.

May, Deborah. “Emotion.” National Theatre. National Theatre.  n.d. 17 Feb. 2013. Web.