Please Help: Debatable topics in the theater world?

[haddaddy3]

Please Help: Debatable topics in the theater world?#1

Posted: 5/12/08 at 7:34pm

We have to do a themed multi-genre writing project for our final project in English, so I chose theater thinking I could base a lot of the writing on personal experience. The only one thing I'm having trouble with is coming up with a topic for the persuasive essay.

What are some topics in regards to theater in general that are highly debatable on which I could take a particular side and write about it?

My teacher said to pick my favorite show and tell why I think it is the best. This is difficult, however, because I would have to present it to a class that has nothing to compare that too. It's also difficult to come up with solid arguments of why something is best or worst anything. (If I did do this I'd pick "Into the Woods")

My friend told me to do "Why are musicals better than plays?" and I said they are two very different animals that should not be subject to such comparison.

All of the topics on the broadwayworld message board are incredibly specific (GG vs. SA/any Mama Rose vs. any Mama Rose) and therefore difficult to write a complete paper on, especially for a non-theatrical audience. I want to try to convince them "why theater is not boring", but I'd like to see what all of you come up with since you all are so good at debating.

Thanks in advance for your assistance. I really appreciate all of your expert opinions!

You look absolutely terrific, honestly.

[Eris0303]

re: Please Help: Debatable topics in the theater world?#2

Posted: 5/12/08 at 7:45pm

If it's simply persuasive essay why don't you try to convince your non-theatre audience to attend more theatre events? Don't harp on "why theatre isn't boring" but rather write a paper about what you love about theatre. What makes it special to you. I would imagine you'd be able to win over a non-theatre audience easily because I'm sure you could convey your love through words without any sort of problem. Persuade them to see things through your eyes for a time.

Rather than choosing a particular show you could discuss the general magic of live theatre. The feeling of anticipation as the lights dim and the orchestra starts up. I bet you'd do a grand job with that.

"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".

[insertclevernamehere]

re: Please Help: Debatable topics in the theater world?#2

Posted: 5/12/08 at 7:54pm

My friends have gotten into several debates about the advantages of being Equity/non-Equity.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention...I'm the good cop, he's the bad cop.

[vinnylin]

re: Please Help: Debatable topics in the theater world?#3

Posted: 5/12/08 at 7:54pm

Perhaps you could compare theatre to other forms of art/entertainment, and highlight how they are different (or, from your personal perspective, perhaps why you prefer theater). Your classmates will surely be familiar with film, books, paintings, perhaps even dance or rock music, so you could explain, through specific examples from your favorite show or shows, how the medium of theatre communicates its ideas, and how this might be different from that of film or books. For example, books communicate the author's voice directly to the reader, whereas theater uses actors (and directors) to convey ideas and themes, and live theater has interaction between actor and audience member whereas film usually does not; plus musical theater has the whole additional layer of using song to further stories or convey moods, etc. etc. You get the idea. It would have to be drawn from personal experience since you'd be discussing how theater speaks to you, and trying to explain this to your classmates.

"This is wanting something, this is reaching for it, This is wishing that a moment would arrive. This is taking chances, this is almost touching, what the beauty is." --The Light in the Piazza

[CapnHook]

re: Please Help: Debatable topics in the theater world?#4

Posted: 5/12/08 at 7:58pm

1) Why you prefer live theatre over film/tv (if that's true).

2) Why bootlegging is OK/not OK.

3) Why so-and-so should have won the Tony over so-and-so.

4) Why there should be more/less film-to-stage musicals.

"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

[winston89]

re: Please Help: Debatable topics in the theater world?#5

Posted: 5/12/08 at 8:03pm

I think that the best one is why theatre is better then TV or the movies.

This one works best particularly if your dealing with a group of people who don't like going to the theatre. It could get them to change their views even if its just for a little bit.

"If you try to shag my husband while I am still alive, I will shove the art of motorcycle maintenance up your rancid little Cu**. That's a good dear" Tom Stoppard's Rock N Roll

[scaryclowns223]

re: Please Help: Debatable topics in the theater world?#6

Posted: 5/12/08 at 8:08pm

Stunt Casting- Good or Bad?

One one hand, it helps support a business that everyday has a smaller fan base.

On the other, it is an insult to theatrical integrity.

Could actually make a pretty interesting paper.

[CapnHook]

re: Please Help: Debatable topics in the theater world?#7

Posted: 5/12/08 at 8:09pm

Personally, I would choose "Why Tonya Pinkins should have gotten the Tony over Idina Menzel."

"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle

[heathurrr]

re: Please Help: Debatable topics in the theater world?#8

Posted: 5/12/08 at 8:12pm

Along the same lines as CapnHook's thought:
Why the f*** did David Hyde Pierce win the Tony over Raúl Esparza?

"As we all should probably have learned by now, to be a Stephen Sondheim fan is to have one's heart broken at regular intervals" - Frank Rich

Dearest, how can this be so? You were dead, you know. - Candide

Oh my god, this show has everything! Half naked guys and girl on girl action! - [title of show]

(My avatar? Why, yes! That is Laura Benanti making out with a chick!)

[haddaddy3]

re: Please Help: Debatable topics in the theater world?#9

Posted: 5/12/08 at 8:12pm

Thanks so much. Those are really great.

You look absolutely terrific, honestly.

Updated On: 5/14/08 at 08:12 PM