NEW REALISM Flashcards
what is new-realism in theatre?
-form of theatre that emerged in the 1940s and 1950s in America,
-blending traditional realism with anti-realist ISMS (like Expressionism and Surrealism) to create a modified version of realism.
- It explores deep psychological and societal issues, often with heightened theatrical elements.
What historical context influenced New Realism in 1940s and 1950s America?
Post-WW2 America was marked by anxiety, fear, disillusionment, and a sense of futility. The war had devastated Europe, and the US emerged as a world power, leading to an economic boom, technological advancements, and the rise of the Cold War. This created a context of societal questioning and isolation, themes explored in New Realism.
What themes were central to New Realism in theatre?
Themes of disillusionment, loneliness, isolation, and futility dominated, reflecting the post-WW2 American experience. Playwrights addressed the failures of science and religion to provide meaning in the modern world. Characters were often anti-heroes, ordinary people struggling with societal expectations.
What impact did symbolism and expressionism have on New Realism?
New Realism incorporated elements from symbolism (such as lighting, color, and set design) and expressionism (such as the effects of capitalism and industrialism on the human spirit). This created an atmosphere that emphasized subconscious themes, such as memories and dreams, to explore psychological depth.
How did surrealism influence New Realism?
Surrealism influenced New Realism through its focus on the subconscious, memory plays, psychoanalysis, and dreamscapes. This allowed playwrights and directors to explore non-literal realities, representing characters’ inner worlds in a visually symbolic and poetic manner.
How did the theatre architecture evolve during the New Realism movement?
Theatres dispensed with the proscenium arch and embraced the thrust stage (open staging), which created a more intimate relationship between the audience and the performers. This shift allowed for greater creative and interpretive work in staging.
What was the significance of the American Dream in New Realism?
New Realism challenged the notion of the American Dream. Writers used theatre to expose the American Dream as a myth, revealing its limits and the disparity between the idealized fantasy of success and the struggles faced by ordinary people, especially minorities
What is the “Frontier Mentality” in the context of American culture and New Realism?
The “Frontier Mentality” refers to the ever-changing atmosphere of American life, shaped by the historical shift of the frontier. This mentality led to a constant need for adaptation and innovation, reflected in New Realism’s exploration of societal challenges and the breakdown of traditional norms.
How did materialism influence New Realism in American theatre?
Materialism was a central theme in New Realism, as the 1950s saw a rise in consumerism and economic advancement. The theatre reflected a society more focused on material gain than spiritual fulfillment, often critiquing the emptiness of this pursuit.
What defines the “Modified Realism” style in New Realism?
Modified Realism combined theatrical and heightened elements with traditional realism. It emphasized psychological truth (through Stanislavski’s system), used poetic and irrational elements from anti-realism movements, and employed symbols and imagery to depict inner emotions and subconscious experiences.
What are key staging devices used in New Realism theatre?
Staging devices in New Realism aimed to reveal the psychology of characters poetically. Key devices included fragmented settings, fluid time shifts, symbolic music, and imagery. Memory plays, where past and present blend, were common, and set designs often featured fluid, changing environments to represent psychological states.
Who were important figures in the development of New Realism?
Elia Kazan – A leading director of New Realism who focused on psychological depth and social critique.
Joe Milzener – A set designer known for developing techniques (such as scrims and lighting) to create fluid time and fragmented settings on stage.
Lee Strasberg – Founder of The Actor’s Studio, where The Method (Stanislavski’s system) was developed to train actors in deep psychological realism.
What is The Method, and how did it influence New Realism?
The Method, developed at The Actor’s Studio by Lee Strasberg, emphasized emotional recall, inner truth, and psychological realism. It trained actors to connect deeply with their characters through personal emotional experience. This approach influenced both theatre and film, promoting more truthful, nuanced performances, though it was controversial for its intense emotional demands.
What impact did New Realism have on the American theatre landscape?
New Realism revitalized the American theatre by addressing pressing social and psychological issues, challenging the ideals of the American Dream, and pushing the boundaries of realism. It led to more intimate, introspective performances and influenced both theatre and film for decades.
