As the story goes, theater grew from a fundamental desire to appreciate that which is not human: the gods, the natural world, the weather. By humanizing spirits, animal-life, or rain, people could calm the chaos of those dramatic events oblivious to... [more]

As the story goes, theater grew from a fundamental desire to appreciate that which is not human: the gods, the natural world, the weather. By humanizing spirits, animal-life, or rain, people could calm the chaos of those dramatic events oblivious to their control. Eventually theater became more than a just a means to appropriate and understand the non-human: it posed as a gateway to comprehending the largest human mystery to date: the self. Few experiences compare to that of sitting in an audience, program in one hand, coffee in the other, waiting with fellow spectators for the curtains to part, the stage to occupy, the lights to shift, the chatter to hush. It's like the anticipation prior to removing one's own skin to find the workings of the heart. Theater behaves in a manner like a microscope or a probing lens, both reflecting life and highlighting the hidden details. Commonly misconceived as a literary art, theater is truly itself through performance alone. The word 'theater' derives from the Greek 'to see' and as understood in modern times to view, hear, and experience as well. The living characteristic of theater distinguishes it from film, video, and other visual arts. Like life what occurs during theater holds the potential for mistake, improvisation, failure, and intense emotion. The audience support, enthusiasm, disappointment, and focus determine the success of theater as much as the director, actors, creators, and technical support. Theater entertains, mimics, and critiques the worlds we construct and deconstruct daily. [show less]