Culture is a way of life that is shared by members of a society. It is often demonstrated through human behavior, language, and emotions. A great example of a cultural value is the use of dancing and music for entertainment. There are two types of theatre that bring out the values and norm of a society: theatre of identity and theatre of protest. The theatre of identity promotes particular people's cultural identity and invites members of that culture and others to experience their joys, problems, history, traditions, and point of view. Theatre of protest objects to the control of the dominant culture and demands that a minority culture’s voice and political agenda be heard.
There are many, well-known examples of the theatre of identity. One that stuck out to me this semester was African American theatre. Victims of the slave trade began the tradition of African American theatre in order to educate the public of their struggles. Those from western Africa retained many of their performance traditions, such as ensemble improvisation. The first performances were carried out on plantations and in homes where they were being held. Black characters in early plays were always portrayed by white people in black makeup; this was called blackface. The first known play by an African American playwright was James Brown’s King Shotaway (1823). During the Harlem Renaissance, of the 1920s-1930s, new groups and black theatre companies emerged in big cities like Chicago, New York, and Washington D.C. This included Ethiopian Art Theatre, originally called the Chicago Folk Theatre, which was established by Paul Robeson, who was a well-known actor. The purpose of the Ethiopian Art Theatre was to create dramatic pieces that appeal to all races. It also sought out to encourage African Americans and whites to help build the future of literature and theatre. In 1935, the Federal Theatre Project was founded. It provided African Americans with the opportunity to receive a training ground.
Theatre of protest includes events from street theatre to serious (possibly illegal) acts of defiance. Many use psychological techniques in order to manipulate a meaning and get their way. Devices used in the theatre of protest include the use of imagination, ritual, ceremony, romance, and symbolism. When they are all combined with a presentation of physical acts of protest and disobedience, it creates a powerful movement. In order for imagination to be incorporated into a work of protest, there must be a vision of a better world including others in it. An example of theatre of protest is the play Trifles by Susan Glaspell. This play showed a protest against domestic abuse. It was conveyed by allegations made against the wife, Minnie, for killing her husband. Other women of the town justified and covered up the murder due to the fact that she was oppressed and abused. The other women covered up for Minnie because they knew she had a rough home life. They understood what it was like to be a woman during that time. They knew what it was like to be oppressed and be submissive to their husbands for the rest of their lives. Being submissive and following someones every command and dealing with the fact that they basically own you, can have a negative toll on you. Trifles is also a protest for feminism by how the dialogue of the men was clearly degrading towards women. Many times in the play the men were biased in their approach of the crime scene because they only searched places where a woman should be. For example, they mostly checked the kitchen because they believed that women are only good for cooking and cleaning. The police officers only considered Minnie a suspect because her kitchen was untidy and her stitches were not near perfect. This play was a perfect reflection of the little bit of respect and rights that women were allowed during this time or 1916.
To conclude, I believe that the two most important types of theatrical expressions are the theatre of culture and theatre of protest. Both of these categories represent the things that are most important to people: their culture and what they believe in. Everyone should be proud of who they are and fight for what they know to be true in their heart. To me, being Hispanic is a big part of my life and I am proud of it. It makes me proud to be able to see a play of another Hispanic who shares the same dreams, goals, struggles like me. I understand what they are going through. It is the same with other cultures. People are also interested in acts of protest that helps their cause. For example, a play or work of art fighting against or proving a point for a cause someone believes in is considered part of the theatre of protest. I chose the uncommon example of a play where it is not as obvious to notice the protest. I am not shy to say that I am feminist. I definitely saw a protest in Trifles while reading it. The men in this play believe that a woman should remain quiet, submissive, keep her kitchen tidy, and do whatever it takes to keep her husband happy. Women are people too and they may seem weaker, but looks can be deceiving. In present times, women are doing just as much as men are and everyone should all be considered equal because inside, where it matters, we are all the same.