The History of Theatre

Theatre in America

A late start

• When Europeans came to the New World, they were slow to adapt theatre into the culture

• In the American colonies, theatre was either not practiced or outright banned.

• The first professional theatre in the US didn’t occur until 1767, with the opening of The American Company

First steps

• The first play presented in the United States was The Prince of Parthia, in Philadelphia

• The Contrast, performed in NYC in 1787, was the first comedy presented in the US.

• The Contrast presented the first theatrical depiction of an American character – Jonathan, a typical Yankee

• The first truly American comedy was Fashion, by Anna Cora Mowatt, in 1845

Theatrical families

• During the 19th century, entire families became involved in theatre in America

• The most important and well known families were the Drews, the Barrymores and the Booths.

The Drews

• John Drew came from Ireland in 1846

• Married Louise Drew and had three children

• The elder Drew died young, but his children continued the family legacy through the 19th century

• Daughter Georgiana married into the Barrymores

The Barrymores

• Maurice Barrymore was an Englishman who was born in India, but he and his family had great influence on the American theatre

• He and wife Georgiana had three children, John, Ethel, and Lionel

• John’s granddaughter is actress Drew Barrymore

The Booths

• The Booths were at one time considered America’s premier acting family

• They specialized in playing Shakespearian roles and often appeared in the same play together

• Junius Booth came from England in 1821, and he and his mistress had 10 children

• Edwin was considered the greatest American Shakespeare actor of his day

Theatre entertainment the way Grandma liked it

• In the 19th and early 20th centuries, theatres were in most significant towns in the US

• Vaudeville was a variety of acts, which included actors, singers, comics, etc.

• Melodramas were broadly acted, moralistic plays which centered around good vs. evil

• Burlesque was a more risque version of vaudeville

On Broadway

• Until the early 20th century, there was no real center for theatre in the United States

• In 1904, the first theatre on Broadway opened up, and an entire industry grew around it.

• Today Broadway is considered equal with London’s West End as a theatrical Mecca.

Awards for EVERYBODY!

• The Tony Awards are given out each year to the best Broadway and off-Broadway plays of the year

• First presented in 1947, the awards were named for Antoinette Perry (nicknamed Tony)

Levels and types of theatre in America

• Broadway

• Off-Broadway

• Regional

• Repertory

• Festivals

• Outdoor historical drama

• Educational theatre

Important names from the 20th century

• George M. Cohan

• Irving Berlin

• Eugene O’Neill

• Paul Robeson

• Arthur Miller

• Thornton Wilder

• Lorraine Hansberry

•Neil Simon•David Mamet•August Wilson•Sam Shepard•Stephen Sondheim

Little quiz at the end

• When did the first professional theatre in the US occur?

• What was the name of the first American comedy?

• Name the three important acting faimilies of the 20th century

• Who was the first successful African American actor?

Little quiz at the end

• What became the center of American theatre in the 20th century?

• Name one important figure from 20th century American theatre

• What is the name of the awards given out to Broadway productions each year?

• Name three types or levels of American theatre