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