Technology in Theatre How Has Improvements in Technology

Technology in Theatre: How Has Improvements in Technology Improved the Theatre Industry? BY DAVID JACKSON

Overview �For as long as humans have practiced theatre, they have included the technology of the time period �Advances in technology has aided the development of theatre throughout the ages �This project will examine the relationship between theatre and technology, and how there are pros and cons to an advancement in theatre technology

How Advancements in Technology has Impacted Live Theatre �For as far back as we can track human life, there has been examples of theatre. �In early days, people used theatre to tell stories of things like hunting trips and gods �People used props like animal skins and bones for masks and costumes, juice from plants as makeup, and fire for lighting, among other things.

How Advancements in Technology has Impacted Live Theatre �During the Classical Period of Ancient Greece (around 500 B. C. ), theatre changed with the invention of the Amphitheatre �The Amphitheatre was a technological invention that allowed an actor to be standing “on stage” (on the floor), and still be heard by people all the way in the back by using acoustics and rows of seats, each one higher up than the last

How Advancements in Technology has Impacted Live Theatre �The Amphitheatre also had a slanted stage. The back (farthest from the audience) of the stage was slanted upwards towards he sky, which created the stage directions of “Upstage” (farther away from the audience), and “Downstage” (closer to the audience)

Greek Amphitheatre

How Advancements in Technology has Impacted Live Theatre �After the Roman Empire came to power, they adopted the idea of the Greek Amphitheatre, and by 80 A. D. , the Colosseum was created �The Colosseum was the next major advancement in technology, as it could be flooded to have mock naval battles, it sat a large number of people, and could host multiple different events, among other features

How Advancements in Technology has Impacted Live Theatre �During Shakespearean times (1550’s-1600’s), technology advanced again, in terms of costumes �Actors started to wear costumes to signify and highlight different aspects of their characters �Costume changes became more popular

How Advancements in Technology has Impacted Live Theatre �After Shakespearean times, technical theatre continued to advance �Shows started to use scenery that could move on and off �With the discovery of electricity, theatres were eventually able to use lighting equitment

How Advancements in Technology has Impacted Live Theatre �Now, theatres and shows use technology all the time �There is rarely a show you will see without a crazy lighting change, scenery moving on hydraulic lifts, actors flying around the stage of disappearing through trap doors, or without fancy and cool costumes �People go to shows expecting to see great things.

Pros of Advancements in Theatre Technology �Theatre technology greatly enhances an overall production. It can help an actor during a scene, and it can also help the overall story the show is trying to tell �Theatre technology in the present is made up of multi functional sets, amazing mood setting lighting, sound cues made to draw the audience into the show, and counterweight systems, used to change scenery or make actors fly, among others

Examples of Theatre Technology

Examples of Theatre Technology

Pro’s of Advancements in Theatre Technology �Because of advancements in theatre technology, there also different types of theatres �Some of these include: Proscenium Stage Theatre in the Round Black Box Theatre Thrust stage

Types of Theatres

Cons of Advancements in Theatre Technology �Some audience members expect the technical elements of live theatre to be as good as the technical elements in TV shows and movies �Audience members sometimes come to see shows, expecting to see technical spectacles, or they might focus on the technical elements, rather than the actors, whom the technical elements are trying to support

Cons of Advancements in Theatre Technology �Modern day technology is expensive �Shows might not have the budget to afford LED lights or lasers, turntables in the set, or multifunctioning costumes. �It is hard to compete with shows with larger budgets that can afford more/better technology than others

Cons of Advancements in Theatre Technology �Examples of how much technology cost: �ETC Source Four Leko 19 -50 deg. (Package of 4) = $1, 099 (Broadway shows have about 20 -30 of these) �Sound Systems cost over $10, 000 �Costumes can also cost over $10, 000

Cons of Advancements in Theatre Technology

Conclusion �Overall, advancements in theatre technology has greatly helped shows convey their points and tell the stories they want to tell �This technology helps support a production �However, we have to remember as audience members, that the technology is not the main focus of the show, it is expensive, not all shows will have it, and it is there to support, not steal the show