Post 1: Performance and/versus Theatre

For your first blog entry for the class, I want you to provide, explain, and defend a distinction between theatre and performance. Obviously, there's a lot of Venn Diagram-type overlap here. But, if performance is the big umbrella, then perhaps theatre is a subset of activities under that umbrella. How do I know if I'm looking at theatre rather than performance in general?

Your answer (about 500-600 words) should cover at least the following grounds:

1. You should give me your quick-and-simple distinction between theatre and performance.
2. You should explain your distinction.
3. You should provide some examples, walking me through an explanation of how your distinction helps us discriminate between, say, a football game and a play.

Now, it's possible you feel strongly enough that no such distinction is possible. If that's the case, make that argument as persuasively as you can.

How important is it, really, to make a distinction between theatre and performance? For whom is that difference important and  why?

Aim to post a response to this prompt on your blog by Tuesday, 1/16. Comment on a classmate's blog by Friday 1/19.

Contact me if you have questions or concerns.

John