Assignment/Activity TitleTheatre History Project

SkillResearch and Performance

YearFreshman
Portfolio CategorySocial Awareness

The theatre history project required me to do in depth research, a presentation and a performance on a topic I was
originally uninterested in. By the end of this project I had increased my performance, presenting, and research skills. I also
became more socially aware in that I increased my historical knowledge of the 1920s, as well as Epic theatre, and its
many influences and similarities found in theatre today.
This assignment was one of the first assignments where I did not procrastinate, but was instead very proactive in
setting personal deadlines for myself. I created notecards, slides, and research documents. I had always known that
planning ahead would eliminate stress and ultimately result in a better product, but this was the first times I had done that.
Another challenge in this project was collaborating with someone I had never worked with before. Originally, we
had different ideas about how the presentation should look, the content, and the performance, but we were able to
compromise. We also maintained good communication by using Google docs, texting, and Gmail. Communicating and
compromising was vital to completing quality work on time.
In addition to developing time management and collaborating skills, this project greatly increased my knowledge
around World War I and its effects on Germany. I also, explored how people responded through theatre to the economic
hardship they faced. Epic theatre rose to prominence and greatly influenced society. Its creator, Bertolt Brecht, is cited as
an influence by many playwrights. Some of these playwrights include Tennessee Williams, Edward Bond, and Tom
Stoppard.
The punitive consequence in Europe, which eventually caused rise in epic theatre championed by Marxist Bertolt
Brecht, makes me look differently at theatre and film in the United States today. An example, although it is not very
recent, is the movie Red Dawn. Produced in the cold war era, it negatively portrays the U.S.S.R and communism. It is
similar to Epic theatre in that it was made with the intent of provoking criticism around a form of government. The only
obvious difference may be that Brechts Epic theatre was pro communism, and Red Dawn was anti communism, pro
America.
The last skill this project forced me to improve on was my presenting and performance skills. Because I was
knowledgeable on my topic, and had applied myself, I was actually interested in what I was saying during the
presentation. This helped me be more engaging. I also enunciated more clearly and spoke louder than I usually did,
commanding the audience. Also, instead of just reciting lines as I had done previously, I worked to embody my
characters, and give an entertaining performance.
In conclusion, the Theatre History project is on my portfolio because it is a project where I fully applied myself. I
was able to draw connections, widen my perspective, and increase various skills through hard work.

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