Introduction
Let’s be clear: this is a manual, a tool for the instructor to use as they teach the class in the direction they feel best serves their curriculum. Feel free to call it a “handout” if you’d like.
My goal was not in the least to “rival” the splendid and thorough available textbooks on Theatre History, but rather to provide easy and affordable access to basic information that students and instructors can expand on.
I feel strongly about making resources more accessible to students, and if this manual removes an obstacle even for just one student, I will be content.
Clearly, this book was conceived for Theatre History 1, which is part of the curriculum for the Theatre Major at least in the U.S.A. It is the first class where students are exposed to the subject (aside from a brief historical overview that might be included in Intro to Theatre courses). As we become increasingly absorbed in contemporary theatre, Broadway, and off-Broadway shows, it is easy to lose historical perspective. Whatever is older than the past, what, ten years? Tends to be immediately labeled as “old” or “ancient.”
I always find it extremely rewarding when I teach the Greeks, or Commedia dell’Arte, or Shakespeare, or any non-contemporary style, because the students walk into the class at the beginning of the semester with that “I hate this so much” attitude. I valiantly proceed, challenging them: “By the end of the semester, you will love it!”
It is easy to hate what you don’t know. Most of the time, they actually do end up liking it by the end of the semester. And if they still hate it, at least they will have more solid reasons to do so.
I also want to point out that this is and will be a “work in progress” for some time, as I will expand some of the chapters as needed and following the feedback that I would love to receive from all y’all.
My understanding is that there is no way I can “track” the downloads and know who is using the book, so I would really appreciate it if those of you who find it useful would send me a note and some feedback. For those of you who hate it, I apologize for ruining your experience of theatre history, but you don’t have to reach out and tell me directly.
Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who has supported me in this project, including the students who have helped with editing and formatting and who have contributed to it with original illustrations.
Brian Gershowitz has worked on the editing and formatting. He has recently graduated with a double major in Theatre and English. I am sure his future will be bright and successful.
Original illustrations and photos were created for this book and are also licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Arlee Peterson, Jessie Reed, and Lazaro Mahar have all contributed original illustrations.
On the institutional side, I am super grateful to Ed Beck and Sophia Dunne for helping me navigate the complexity of Pressbook and grant writing. This project was funded by SUNY Central, and to them goes my heartfelt gratitude.
My friends and colleagues, Caterina Mordeglia – who contributed to the book with the chapter on the Romans- and Jennifer King -who contributed with historical timelines and other content, have both been an invaluable resource and support throughout this whole process.
Special thanks to Mary Lynn Bensen and Margherita Rubino, who made sure that I wasn’t completely off the rails.
Most photos have been taken by me or by friends and colleagues; my thanks go to Andrea Izzotti, Francesco Franchin, and Christine Schmidle. Unless differently specified, I authored the written content of the book.
Thank you.
Kiara Pipino
