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The Necessity of Theater : The Art of Watching and Being Watched

by Paul Woodruff
The Necessity of Theater : The Art of Watching and Being Watched - Thryft
The Necessity of Theater : The Art of Watching and Being Watched - Thryft

Explores theater's unique essence and transformative power.

If you're intrigued by the profound influence theater has on both the performer and the audience, "The Necessity of Theater" will resonate with you. Paul Woodruff eloquently delves into the craft, presenting theater as more than entertainment—it's a vital form of human expression and connection. Reading this, you'll gain insights into the emotional and empathetic engagement that theater demands and why this art form remains fundamental in our lives.

Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.

The Necessity of Theater : The Art of Watching and Being Watched

by Paul Woodruff
Condition guide

Book Condition Guide

Books in Like New Condition

This book may contain very minor cosmetic defects, but it is in pristine condition. There should be no yellowing, no foxing, no water damage, and no annotations of any kind on the cover and the pages. For paperbacks, there should not be any crease marks on the spine. This book is good as new — lucky you!

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Very Good Condition

This book has been used, but it is still in a clean condition. There should be no foxing or annotations of any kind on the inner pages, but a sparse amount may be present on the cover, title pages, or outside edges of the book. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be light crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Good Condition

We do our best to ensure the quality of our books, but there is no escaping the wear and tear that comes with time. Slight foxing and some annotations may be present on the pages and the cover. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be several crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Well Read Condition

This is a well-read book, which means that the previous owner probably really enjoyed it! The cover and pages may include moderate foxing and annotations, but the text is not obscured and still readable. Moderate cosmetic defects and minor water damage may be present on the edges of the book. For paperbacks, there may be multiple crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

 

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ISBN: 9780195332001
Authors: Paul Woodruff
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Date of Publication: 2008-04-28
Format: Hardcover
Related Collections: Philosophy
Goodreads rating: 3.56
(rated by 66 readers)

Description

What is unique and essential about theater? What separates it from other arts? Do we need "theater" in some fundamental way? The art of theater, as Paul Woodruff says in this elegant and unique book, is as necessary - and as powerful - as language itself. Defining theater broadly, including sporting events and social rituals, he treats traditional theater as only one possibility in an art that - at its most powerful - can change lives and (as some peoples believe) bring a divine presence to earth.The Necessity of Theater analyzes the unique power of theater by separating it into the twin arts of watching and being watched, practiced together in harmony by watchers and the watched. Whereas performers practice the art of being watched - making their actions worth watching, and paying attention to action, choice, plot, character, mimesis, and the sacredness of performance space - audiences practice the art of paying close attention. A good audience is emotionally engaged as spectators; their engagement takes a form of empathy that can lead to a special kind of human wisdom. As Plato implied, theater cannot teach us transcendent truths, but it can teach us about ourselves.Characteristically thoughtful, probing, and original, Paul Woodruff makes the case for theater as a unique form of expression connected to our most human instincts. The Necessity of Theater should appeal to anyone seriously interested or involved in theater or performance more broadly.
 

Explores theater's unique essence and transformative power.

If you're intrigued by the profound influence theater has on both the performer and the audience, "The Necessity of Theater" will resonate with you. Paul Woodruff eloquently delves into the craft, presenting theater as more than entertainment—it's a vital form of human expression and connection. Reading this, you'll gain insights into the emotional and empathetic engagement that theater demands and why this art form remains fundamental in our lives.

Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.