Elements of Theater

"There are certain elements common to all theater. These elements are present whenever a theater event takes place; without them, an event ceases to be theater and becomes a different art form and different experience". --"Theater, The Lively Art". Theater is a form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through gestures, speech, song, music or dance. Elements of design and stagecraft are used to enhance the physicality, presence and immediacy of the experience. The major elements of theater are: performers, audience, director, theater space, design aspects, and text.
Acting is the most visible element of theater; it personifies theater. Acting involves sophisticated role-playing and make-believe, pretending, conveyed through doing-enacting on the stage a vision of life. Acting can be considered a "pure art": the artist and instrument are the same. The Actor must discover the essence of character and project that essence to the audience. The Actor must be believable. If they are not, the audience will be less interested in the production. Acting mainly consists of: 1. a series of tasks, usually in a situation or context; 2. done visially as someone else; and 3. imaginary- at least part of it.
The essence of theater is the interaction between the performer and audience. Theater needs to be experienced live. There is a "call and response" atmosphere that can not be witnessed in a movie theater:
· In a live theater experience, when the audience laughs out loud, or cries, then the actors respond to that energy.
· In a movie, there is no connection between the actors and audience, only reactions from the audience.
The director makes certain that the performers understand the text and deliver the script excitingly and appropriately. The director also makes sure the blocking, costume designs, set designs and