Profile for Ensemble1725618521

BeingAlive44Ever said: "So I've begun to notice something odd. There are swaths and swaths of theatre kids in this generation, whether I've met them online or through my voice coach or through my friends' kids, who seem to not be well versed in theatre history. And, I know, not everybody has to know anything. But I'm talking basic things. Like not knowing who Sondheim is. Not knowing that Broadway was created by Jewish songwriters and African American musicians. Not knowing what the word "operetta" or even the term "musical comedy" means. Like scary stuff that seems like such common sense. So I looked into it. It turns out thatmosthigh schools don't have a theatre history class. Even if they have a theatre class, it's more common for them to be based entirely on production than for there to beactual history taught. I personally think that at least a fundamental understanding of the history of theatre, especially the theatre medium in which these kids are performing, ie the American Broadway Musical, is required for productions to... I dunno, work? My friend, who is a school drama director but not a drama teacher, told me that she was frustrated with this as well. She often will make allusions to Fosse or specific musicals when explaining how the actors are supposed to move and most of the kids have no idea what she means. I find it disturbing that these kids are expected to perform without any knowledge of what they're doing. Most high schools have detailed courses on Graphic Design andWeldingbut not on Theatre History. Is there some reason for this that I'm unaware of, or is this just another case of the arts not being funded properly? It's crazy that so many theater kids don't even know basic things like who Sondheim is or the origins of Broadway. Theater history is essential to understanding the plays, and it's surprising how high schools don't make it compulsory. As with any subject, context matters. In fact, I recently had to write an essay on a similar topic and I found https://essays.edubirdie.com/buy-essay this great resource where you can get an essay if you ever get stuck. It will be quality work from professionals. You'd think schools would give this story a higher priority considering how important it is!"

I think making theatre history classes mandatory could really help us appreciate and understand the roots of what we’re performing. It feels weird to act without knowing the basics like Sondheim or Broadway's origins. It's like learning math without knowing addition. The arts deserve the same respect as other subjects! Thanks for telling me about it!