Transcript 19th Century American Theatre

th
19
Century American
Theatre
Architecture
Showboats entertained people along the
Mississippi
Major theatres built new theatresnarrow aprons, small houses
Incandescent lights after 1880
Important Events
Sparse drama in colonies
William and Mary College first
playhouse in America (Virginia)
Actors began using greasepaint and
historically accurate costumes
Actors were “on the road”, meaning
they toured-one night performances
Minstrel Show
Native American theatre, the
Ministrel show
Black face
Ethnic songs and jokesstereotypes
Melodrama
Melodrama-a drama characterized by exaggerated
emotions, stereotypical characters, and
interpersonal conflicts
Titles: The Drunkard, Dirty Works at the
Crossroads
Vaudeville
Vaudeville-variety show
featuring singers, acrobats,
jugglers, dancers, comedians,
trained animals
Family entertainment
People (need not write)
Edwin Booth—considered greatest
American actor
Joseph Jefferson
Richard Mansfield
Maude Adams
Mrs. John Drew
Maude Adams-most famous role Peter
Pan
Review
Showboats, city theatres
Prominent actors
Costumes and Make-up
First Theatre ______________
“On the road”
Minstrel shows, Melodramas, Vaudeville