Romanticism

The Romanticism Era was based in the late seventeen hundreds and late eighteen hundreds. This was a movement where people were beginning to go against the aristocratic and political views.
It really was all about the emotion in this time period experiencing the different feelings and understanding the rhyme and reason to life. They truly believed that the art and theater could save the world through emotions.
This really was a rebellious time for some. This topic was definitely one that had followers or prosecutors. It was a time of emotion and truth. Below s a brief video clip showing different aspects of the romanticism movement. Pictures as well as short summaries about the actions and expressive ideas of the time are explained in this clipping.

The Great Stephen Foster

Yes lady's and gentlemen Stephen Foster did have an impact on theater in the late eighteen century and the early nineteen hundreds. He was a man of many talents and his ambition drove him to the height of his career and it is what brought him down. This is a period of true economic and social decline. Racism was at it's peak and for the first time in the history of the nation, slavery was really being noticed. And isn't it a beautiful thing that it was being noticed because of music. Stephen Foster's music is what opened people's eyes, blacks and whites, that it really might be wrong to treat people the way they were. Before this time period it was considered norm to own slaves. Slavery had been going on for quite some time now, and how long was is going to last? Stephen Foster really led a life of events. His high and low parts of his life affected his music for the better. He came quickly famous. It was his style that led him to become "The Father of American Music."
Now when we hear the songs of "Oh! Susana" and "Beautiful Dreamer" we are brought back to a time where music was the soul of every human being. You can hear and feel the sorrow and joy in the lyrics. Stephen flawlessly paints a different picture for every song. Whether it be a song of the South or a lover, the passion and lovely tune stick with you. To think one week was the only amount of time he spent in college before dropping out. It is plain to see that real legends follow there heart and seek bigger and greater things. It was an outrage to his family, though it was clear he had a gift, that Stephen wanted to become a professional song writer. Could there be such a thing? Could there be such a things of a man rising up and accomplishing his dream? These are the questions Stephen wanted to find out. Stephen soon started creating his own style and catchy lyrics. He was known as entertainingly performing 'black face music.'Eventually, alcoholism, loneliness, and a broken heart led him to his death. But you can still find his soul in the words of his music.

Sets and Scenes in the late 18th Century

Today when we attend the theater, we take advantage of the beauty our eyes are witnessing. It is a wonder to think what theater of the world be like without the art of photography and design.

During the late 18th century a man named Louis Jacques Daguerre had the desire to add a touch to the theater that would forever be remembered. This fascination he possessed was with the staging and "presentable" elements theater brought to different audiences.

Even at the age of sixteen, he was an assistant stage designer and architect. He is remembered to carry atonishing talents and abilities when it came to seeing what the majic of light can do to the stage. He really asked the question, How does light change?

He is the man to be credited for the Panorama (cyclorama) theater uses constantly today.

He also produced the worlds first permament photograph. Above you can see for yourself the wonders he ivented.

http://www.rleggat.com/photohistory/history/daguerr.htm

The Impact of Victor Hugo

"A Great Artist is a Great Man in a Great Child." Victor Hugo.

The left is Victor Hugo. To the right is a drawing from one of his most famous plays of all time, Les Miserable.

Many people know of the stories Victor Hugo created. People have read and witnessed first hand the power his imagine brought to theater and writing. Infact, Victor is known as the most important French Romantic writer of his time. Durring the most influencial turning points in history, Hugo lead an extrodanary life. The peoms and novels changed people's lifes and still do today. Victor really was blessed with the gift of words. His words contained power, emotion, and spirituality. His most popular books were created into musicals and were put on the stage. One of witch was titled the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

In 1831 Hugo wrote The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The lovely story is a tale about a beautiful Gypsy girl, Esmerelda, and the akward and deformed bell ringer, Quasimodo. This powerful and charming story captured the hearts of millions and gave Victor Hugo major success.

Victor Hugo left France for about 19 years. Durring this period of time he would create his most promising work, Les Miserable. This book based on the characters of Jean Valjean and Javert. The story shows how life and characters can change in an instant. The book was turned into a musical in 1980 and made into film several other ocassions.

Victor is a mark on history. His words changed the late eighteenth century. The success he brought through his writings still remain the most inspiring today.

http://www.online-literature.com/victor_hugo/

Early Modern France

Moliere was a very inspiring an. His writings influenced the way sixteenth century writers would perform there plays. This was a time of competition. Writers were competing for the audience because more and more theater companies and plays were performing.

Early Modern France

In Early Modern France, performances known as comedy ballets were everywhere. These comedy ballet were really the breakthrough in the motion of song and dance. Finally playwrights were finally connected the song and dance to the story and helping it drive the plot.
Now in our performance you will see a similar movement from what we believe is a replica of how the performers of the late sixteenth century danced.
These performances were usually performed for the king. To give you an idea of the movement from this day we set up this video. This video is a video is based on the movement from a play written by John Baptiste.

Italian Renaissance

The Italian Renaissance era was packed with inspiring people that changed the way theater wold manage and carry itself throughout history. These people are the ones who should be credited for when it comes to building. One person in particular named, Giacome Tortelli. This brilliant man had the idea that is used every day in theater today. His idea was to move sets on and off the stage. He really thought that the appearance of how the stage looked affected the perfromances. Giacome Tortelli created a way to move sets into the wings of the stage and manuver tem back on stage when neccassary.
His sets designs were so extravagent it brought the audiences eye to the horizon and beyond. This Italian Architect created a new rhythm to the stage of performance and Opera. This man is known as the most important engineer, architect, and set designer of the seventeenth century.
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O79-TorelliGiacomo.html