Theater Arts: Definition, History, Types, Characteristics and Functions

Theater Arts: Definition, History, Types, Characteristics and Functions – What is meant by theater arts? On this occasion About the knowledge.co.id will discuss it and of course other things that also cover it. Let's look at the discussion together in the article below to better understand it.

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Theater Arts: Definition, History, Types, Characteristics and Functions

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The theater comes from the English theater or theater, the French théâtre and the Greek theatron (θέατρον). Etymologically, the word "theater" can or can be interpreted as a place or a theater. Meanwhile, in terms of the word theater, it is interpreted as everything that is shown on stage for later consumption by connoisseurs.

Theatrical art is a type of art in the form of drama performances staged on stage. Etymologically, the notion of theater is a building or auditorium used for drama performances.

Another opinion says that the meaning of theater is a drama art that displays human behavior with movement, dance, singing, as well as dialogue and acting from the players.

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Definition of Theater According to Experts

In order to understand more about what theater is, we can or can refer to the opinions of several experts, including the following:

• According to Balthazar Vallhagen

The definition of theater is a dramatic art that describes the nature and character of humans through movement.

• According to Molton

The meaning of this theater is a life story that is described or illustrated in the form of movement or is called life presented in action.

• According to Anne Civardi

The meaning of this theater is a drama art that tells a story through words and movements.

• According to the RMA. Harymawan

The meaning of this theater is the activity of carrying out activities or activities in the performing arts (to act) so that then the actions of the players on stage are called acting.

According to Art Handayani and Wildan

The notion of theater is a form of essay based on two branches of art, namely literary arts and performing arts.

• According to the Big Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI)

The meaning of this theater can or can be defined into 3, including namely;

• • Buildings or rooms where films, plays, and so on are shown.
  • The big room with rows of chairs to the side and back for attending lectures or for scientific demonstrations.
  • Drama staging is as an art as well as a profession; drama, drama, drama.

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History of Theater Arts

Theatrical arts appeared in the 6th century BC, in Greece. The theater was used by them to perform religious ceremonies.

At that time the theater stage was performed in a building called the theater. Theatron is a special building that was established as a place to perform a Drama, has an open roof (without a roof), and is built in stages.

In the beginning, the art of theater developed rapidly in Italy, which can be seen in terms of the stage, decorations, ornaments on the screen, etc., and was the birthplace of modern theater arts. But at that time, only the nobility could watch the theatre.

In Indonesia itself, the art of theater has actually appeared for a long time, which can be seen in the Walisongo era, especially Sunan Bonang. He implemented the Wayang Kulit performance in spreading Islam, so that the residents at that time were interested in Islam.

But in the 20th century AD, Indonesian Theater rapidly developed into Modern Theater, which was born because there was a mixture of Traditional Theater and Western Theater.

The performances applied to Modern Theater are very much different from Traditional Theatre, namely Visible in terms of the story that will be presented, the stage setting, the lighting arrangement, and the supporting elements of the theatre others.

The formation of the Modern Theater also gave rise to well-known Theater Communities, which are like Theater Popular, Theater Kecil, Teater Koma, Theater Workshop, Bandung Theater Club Study, Theater Payung Hitam, and Theatre Gandrik.

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Types of Theater Arts

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  Puppet Theatre

Puppet shows have been performed since Ancient Times. His remains were found in ancient Indian, Egyptian and Greek tombs. Puppets are often used to tell a legend or stories that are religious (religious).

Different types of dolls are played in different ways. Hand puppets are worn in the hands while stick puppets are moved by a stick held from below. Marionette or string puppets, are moved by moving a wooden cross where the puppet strings are tied. An example of a puppet theater that is quite popular is a shadow puppet show.

• Musical drama

Musical drama is a theatrical performance that combines dance, music and acting. Musical dramas often emphasize these three elements compared to the dialogue of the actors. The quality of the performers is not only assessed in an appreciation of the characters through spoken sentences but also through the harmony of songs and dance movements.

It is called a musical drama because in a performance the background is a combination of dance moves, music and stage arrangements. Musical drama that is quite famous is the cabaret drama and opera.

The difference between the two lies in the type of music used. In opera, the dialogues of the characters are sung to an orchestral accompaniment and the songs sung are called seriosa. Meanwhile, in a cabaret musical, the types of music and songs that are sung are free and ordinary.

• Dramatic Theatre

The term dramatic is used to refer to a theatrical performance based on a dramatic play being staged. In dramatic theatre, changes in a character are psychologically concerned.

The story situation and background of the incident are made in as much detail as possible. The sequence of a story in a dramatic theatre follows a plot line strictly. The focus in dramatic theatrical performances is to attract the audience's interest and sense of a story situation presented.

In a dramatic theatre, behavior in the actions of the players is highlighted. One event is related to other events so as to form the whole story. The character presented on stage is a character without improvisation. Dramatic theater tries to present a story as if it were reality.

• Poetry Theatricalization

Poetry theatricalization is a theatrical performance based on a literary work of poetry. Poetry works that are usually only read aloud, in a theatrical poem are tried to be played on stage. Because the basic material is poetry, the theatricalization of poetry emphasizes a poetic aesthetic on stage.

The acting style of the players is usually theatrical. The staging and blocking are designed in such a way as to emphasize the intended meaning of a poem.

Poetry theatricalization provides an opportunity for artists to express their creativity in translating a meaning of poetry into the appearance of a play and an artistic arrangement above stage.

• Motion Theatre

Motion theater is a theatrical performance with the main elements being the movements and facial expressions of the players. In the performance, the use of dialogue is minimal or even eliminated as in a classic pantomime performance.

Along with its development, theatrical players can move freely according to the mood (for certain characters) and even detached from the main character's character to attract the interest of the audience. It is from this freedom of movement expression that an idea of ​​staging a motion-based performance independently emerges.

is pantomime. As a silent performance because it does not use sound, pantomime tries to express an expression through the gestures and expressions of the players. The meaning of the message to be realized is shown in the form of motion.

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Characteristics of the Theater Arts

All stories are in the form of dialogue, both in the characters and the narrator. all sayings are written in a text. All dialogue does not use an apostrophe (“…”). Drama dialogue is not a direct sentence. Therefore, the drama script does not use quotation marks.

The drama script is equipped with certain instructions that must be carried out by the characters. Instructions are written in parentheses (…) or by providing a different typeface from the dialogue font. The drama script is located above the dialogue or on the left side of the dialogue

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Theatrical Functions

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  Theater as a Means of Ceremony

In its early appearance, theater existed as a means of ceremonial offerings to the god Dyonesos and at feasts to the god Apollo. Theater which has a function for the benefit of a ceremony does not need an audience because the audience is part of the participants in the ceremony itself.

In Indonesia, the art of theater which is used as a means of ceremonies is known as traditional theatre.

• Theater as a Media of Expression

Theater is an art form with a primary focus on action and dialogue. In contrast to a musical art which emphasizes an aspect of sound and dance which emphasizes the harmony of movement and rhythm. In practice, theater artists will express their art in the form of body movements and utterances.

• Theater as Entertainment Media

In its role as a means of entertainment, before staging a theater it must be prepared with maximum effort. So the hope is that the audience will be entertained by a show that is being held.

• Theater as an Educational Media

Theater is a collective art, in the sense that theater is not done individually. But to make it happen requires harmonious teamwork. If a theater is staged, it is hoped that the messages that the writer and the players want to convey are conveyed to the audience. Through performances, it is usually easier for humans to understand the good and bad values ​​of life compared to just reading through a story.

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