ABSTRACT

The Elements of Theatrical Expression puts forward 14 essential elements that make up the basic building blocks of theatre.

Is theatre a language? Does it have its own unique grammar? And if so, just what would the elements of such a grammar be? Brian Kulick asks readers to think of these elements as the rungs of a ladder, scaling one after the other to arrive at an aerial view of the theatrical landscape. From such a vantage point, one can begin to discern a line of development from the ancient Greeks, through Shakespeare and Chekhov, to a host of our own contemporary authors. He demonstrates how these elements may be transhistorical but are far from static, marking out a rich and dynamic theatrical language for a new generation of theatre makers to draw upon.


Suitable for directors, actors, writers, dramaturges, and all audiences who yearn for a deeper understanding of theatre, The Elements of Theatrical Expression equips its readers with the knowledge that they need to see and hear theatre in new and more daring ways.

chapter 1|7 pages

Introduction

Toward a theatrical grammar

chapter 2|10 pages

Questions

chapter 3|13 pages

Truth

chapter 4|15 pages

Moments

chapter 5|19 pages

Change

chapter 6|19 pages

World

chapter 7|15 pages

Character

chapter 8|13 pages

States

chapter 9|13 pages

Intentions

chapter 10|22 pages

Actions

chapter 11|12 pages

Obstacles

chapter 12|14 pages

Events

chapter 13|15 pages

Cores

chapter 14|9 pages

About-ness

chapter 15|8 pages

Remanence