Long Christmas Ride Home Analysis

Long Christmas Ride Home Analysis
Long Christmas Ride Home Response In The Long Christmas Ride Home, a play by Paula Vogel, a family deals with the difficulty and consequences
of family relationships. These family relationships are tested and presented through a play which fuses American and Japanese traditional theatre.
Through the utilization of Japanese influence, Vogel's play explores the themes of infidelity, sexual identity, and grief to create an immersive
experience into the struggles of this family. The first theme explored by voguel is infidelity. The father, played by Paul Bisesi, is essentially 'removed'
from the family, as his focus and desire lays in his mistress Sheila. Where the children are represented by puppets, directly influenced by Japanese ...
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The theme of sexual identity in the play acts as not only a dividing mechanism for the play, but centrally depicts the issues faced by the characters. The
character Stephan, played by Alex Rosenthal, demonstrates the weight of family disconnection and continuously suffers from the effects of his sexual
identity. As a child, he describes himself as watching the boys play sports and not participating. In church, when the priest accidently shows
pornographic material, Stephan find himself fascinated with the eroticism and beauty of the photo. Furthermore, when his dad gifts him a ball for
christmas, he is discouraged and would rather wear the bracelet his sister was gifted instead. The sexual identity struggle of Stephan displays the
divided and broken relationship with his parents, as they never truly understand him. Furthermore, in adulthood, his sexual struggle ends up being his
demise as a dies through the contraction of aids. The influence of Japanese theatre is present through the evolution of Stephan's sexual identity. While
contracting the disease, the use of shadow play and shadow puppets is utilized. Likewise, a dancing figure appears to stephan in traditional white
Kumidori makeup. Likewise, Stephen's sister, Claire, played by Julie Murtha, struggles with her sexual identity being that she is a lesbian. Claire also
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The Music And Dance Of Kabuki
What does a director need to know about the music and dance of Kabuki and how it affects the staging of The Picture Book of the Taiko?
pKabuki, that was understood to be the greatest form of theatre throughout Japan, for over three centuries , entails "an intense mixture of dance, music,
mime, costumes, and remarkable staging".2 As Kabuki originated at the time of Banraku, Kabuki adopted numerous movements and multiple plays
from this theatre form that have played a big part in the creation of Kabuki Theatre. While The Picture Book of the Taiko was created and performed
by the Banraku movement in 1789, its first performance in the Kabuki form was achieved in 1799.3 According to many Kabuki folklores, in 1603, this
art form was created by Okuni, a Buddhist priestess who performed ritual dances on riverbeds along the Kamogawa River in Kyoto, Japan.4 Even
though a modest woman created this theatre form, women worked as prostitutes when they were not performing, and ultimately the government
banned women from performing Kabuki theatre, for the attempt to save the public standards of women. Because of this upset commanded by the
government, men perform all women characters.
The Picture Book of the Taiko, the latest play to be performed and adopted from Banruku theatre, existed to be a thirteen act production.5 Although the
only lingering scene that is still performed is the "Amagasaki scene", it is the only scene performed of the thirteen because it is the best known and the

Ancient Greek Theatre Analysis
Theatre History Ancient Greece In ancient Greece the Theatres were split in 3 major parts. The Orchestra, The Skene or stage, and then the main
theatre segment which was called the Koilon. The Orchestra was placed in the middle of the theatre in a circular pattern. They had a Thymeli
placed in the middle of the Orchestra, the Thymeli was used as an altar and later was were the chorus stood. The side of the Skene faced the
audience serving as a background. The Skene had as many as three entrances for actors. Ib between the Skene and the seats, there are two entrances,
one on the right and left which was called the Parodoi. The roof of these ancient greek theatres was flat and it was called the Theologian. The
auditorium of the theatre was shaped in a semi circle which was divided in two Diazoma, upper and lower. The indoor theatres were called Odeia.
The Athenian Theatre plays were focused on the god Dionysus the god of wine, fertility, and agriculture. The Greek theatre had loud music, bright
colors, and extensive dancing. These plays showed violence and daily life, social and ethical plays, war, murder, lust, and betrayal. Many
playwrights were Sophocles who was born in Athens the year of 496 B.C. and he wrote over hundred plays for Athenian theatre and only seven have
survived to this day. Another man who wrote plays was a man named Aeschylus, he was born in the city of Eleuis and was born in 525 B.C. and
wrote about 90 plays, and once again he too

Comparing Bunraku's Yoshitsune And The Thousand Cherry Trees
Bunraku is a form of traditional Japanese puppet theatre found in the Edo period of Japan. Bunraku's triunes of components are the chanter, which
carries the story line; the playing of Shamisen; and the manipulation of the puppets. Bunraku's two characteristics which have no parallel elsewhere in
the world are the puppets and storyteller. In the play, Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees, the puppet plays a huge role as an actor who portrays
a human variety of emotions arising from the dramatic situations. In the clip of "Yoshitsune Fox 1", the sense begins with Shizuka beating the Hatsune
drum, and Fox rushes into the room from the upstage to downstage, transforming into Sato Tadanobu, who bows before her. Tadanobu vitalizes with
perfectly... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Puppeteers work cooperatively to manipulate a puppet to sway the body slowly but rhythmically to the beat of drum. Tadanobu seems automatically
feel the beat of the drum he listens to and instinctively adjusts his pace and feet and arm's movements to the tempo of the drum. As a result, the
audience is set to focus more on the puppet's subtle gestures toward the drum. Realizing that the drum attracted Tadanobu and make him behave
strangely, Shizuka throws the drum to the downstage (0:17 clip 2). Shizuka then suddenly pulls a sword and slashes at Tadanobu, who dodges the
attacks. Mesmerized by the drum, Tadanobu still manage to avoid continuing attacks. The audiences know where its attention goes as Tadanobu turned
his face to the downstage direction to keep his eyes on the drum. Then he crosses from the upstage center to the downstage center through the gate to
pick up the drum. Even though a puppet has minimum moveable parts for action, Tadanobu uses his single piece hand to pick it up and bow to it by
lowering his body with deep reverence, which underlines the importance of drum to him. Later in the play, Tadanobu's transformation into his
fox–spirit forms, along with jerky move and quick jumps, become a highlight of the play (06:10, clip 2). He

Examples Of Socio Cultural Analysis Of Japan
Socio–Cultural Analysis of Japan
Sgt. Oly Magofna
Army Leadership Course Socio–Cultural Analysis of Japan
Culture comes from the Latin word "cultura" which means to cultivate (Rosel, 2014). Culture is the base of a society. It is a heritage passed on from
one generation to another. Culture includes all the behaviors in a social life. We are born into an environment in which we seek ways on how to act and
behave in a given society (Farooq, 2011). Culture presents itself in forms of art, literature, clothing, customs, language and religion (Rosel, 2014). There
are many characteristics of culture. Culture is learned. When an individual grows into an environment he or she learns the different demeanors of that
culture by interacting ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Highways consists of 1,152,207 kilometers and 6,114 kilometers of expressways ("Japan–Infrastructure," n.d.). Japan's railways are 23, 670 kilometers
and well known for its high–speed trains. The nation is surrounded by water and has an impressive sea transportation system. Sea transportation
includes up to 22 ports and harbors. Japan also has a huge merchant marine fleet which is used for trade and receiving products such as raw materials
and fuel ("Japan–Infrastructure," n.d.). Air transportation system consists of 171 airports with 140 of them with paved runways and 14 heliports. The
major international airports are Narita, Kansai, Kyoto and Osaka ("Japan–Infrastructure,"

Greek Theatre History
Theatre has been an evolutionary cultural superpower since the beginning of Greek theatre to the society impacting shows of Broadway. Although
theatre is all the same, each social cultural construct twisted theatre into it's own tradition and values. Greek theatre for example used theatre to honor
the gods; Dionysus in specific. Compared to Roman theatre where the Romans love to used comedy, and spectacle. Japanese theatre however, has a
long rich history and was twisted to the Japaneses traditions and works.
There are four main types of traditional theatre in Japan: Noh, Kyogen, Kabuki, and Bunraku. Each form is very distinct and unique from each other.
Noh theatre also known as Nogaku is a form of musical drama. Derived from the Sino–Japanese ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Translated as "the art of singing and dancing" some people interpret Kabuki as "bizarre and shocking." Unlike Noh, Kabuki used more lively
tactics to entertain it's audience using wild costumes, fireworks and real swords in sword fighting. Kabuki first started in 1603 when Izumo no
Okuni, a shrine maiden began performing a new style of dance. The style immediately grew popular and Okuni was asked to perform for the
Imperial court. Rival troupes then formed and Kabuki was born. Since Kabuki was a women on performance, performers were also available to
prostitution. With performances going from morning to sunset, Kabuki became a common form of entertain in the 1600s and is argued that Kabuki
started pop culture in Japan. It wasn't till the Shogunate disliked Kabuki for being to erotic and open to prostitution, it was banned in 1629. Young
boys then played in Kabuki, but was banned as well due to the young boys being eligible for prostitution. Kabuki then switched to male actors in the
mid 1600s and when back to it's traditional ways of males playing both male and female roles. The Genroku era (1673–1841) became the golden age
of Kabuki theatre. The structure of Kabuki was formalized and coventail characters types were established. A Kabuki stage features a projection
called "Hanamichi",a walkway that extends out to the audience and allows entrances and exits to be made. A curtain that shields the stage before and
during breaks is in traditional colors of black, red , and green. White also can replace the green if needed and is one continuous piece of fabric. An
additional curtain called a "doncho" depicts the season the performance is taking place, but wasn't used until the Meiji Restoration. Kabuki stages have
gotten more technology advance unlike Noh stages which stayed the same. Trap doors and revolving stages were introduced in the eighteenth century
and stage tricks

Imapct of History on Japanese Culture Essay
Introduction Japanese culture is very unique. It is a culture that has stirred many outsiders curiosity throughout history because of a level of mystery
that surrounds it. It is a culture that many admire. The reasons behind the mystery and uniqueness of Japanese culture to outsiders is due in part to the
unique history that have made it what it is today. Because Japan is a chain of islands its culture has developed in an atmosphere of isolation and
control to a certain extent. Over the history of Japan, layers of cultural development can be seen where outside influences were either adapted or
shielded from the culture. There are three very influential layers created by the Age of Reform (AD 552–710), the Meiji Period (1868–1912), and ...
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Buddhism and Shintoism developed and exist together peacefully throughout most of Japan's history. (National Geographic Society, 2010) During the
Age of Reform Emperor Temmu set the precedent for future Japanese emperors by setting himself up as the "Heavenly Emperor." In doing this, he
linked the position of emperor to having a higher power. Emperor Temmu set the foundation for what is known as the classical age of Japan which
includes the Nara and Heian Periods.
Nara Period With the Nara Period (AD 710–794) came a permanently located capital city, carefully organized into a grid of streets. This new capital
created a stability in which culture could flourish. The first known collection of Japanese poems, Manyoshu, or Ten Thousand Leaves was created.
Buddhism became the focal religion and many shrines were built. During the Nara period the aesthetic seen clearly in modern Japanese culture started
to develop, stemming from the Buddhist idea of 'sensitivity to things'. (National Geographic Society, 2010)
Heian Period The Heian Period (AD 794–1185) is known for the development of the Samurai warrior culture. Prince Genji, known as the "Shining
Prince" is documented in The Tale of Genji, by Lady Murasaki Shibuku. Courtly elegance is appreciated and adds an attention to detail to Japanese
culture. Both Buddhism and Shintoism infuse culture with a focus on and admiration of nature. The distinct changes in seasons influence a

Japanese Theater : A Theater Oriented Around Puppetry
Japanese culture is notable for developing various, unique forms of entertainment. In our contemporary society these forms of entertainment could take
fruition in the form of a drama, or an animated series. However, the roots to these developments originate from the progression of Japanese theater.
Japanese theater includes three main categories, Bunraku, Kabuki, and Noh. Bunraku is a theater oriented around puppetry, while Kabuki is a theater
that is centralized around dance and drama. Noh is a traditional Japanese theatrical form and one of the oldest extant theatrical forms in the world. Noh
performers are simply storytellers who use their visual appearances and their movements to suggest the essence of their tale rather than to enact ... Show
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However, it was later adapted to Kabuki the following month and staged for the first time in KyГґto at the Kitagawa no Shibai. Sugawara Denju
Tenarai Kagami seems more suitable to be performed as a Kabuki play rather than a Bunraku, because the transition of this play was enhanced to be
several times more dramatic and poignant. Produced by Nakamura KiyosaburГґ I, Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami was performed for the first time in
Edo, at the Ichimuraza, in the 3rd Lunar Month of 1747. Along with Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura and Kanadehon ChЕ«shingura, these three productions
were recognized as one of the three most famous and popular plays in the Kabuki Repertory. "Sugawara was first performed as a Bunraku in August
1746 at the Takemoto–za in Osaka, debuting on the kabuki stage the following month in Kyoto." (Historical Basis of Sugawara Denju Tenarai
Kagami) The importance of this information shows that it debuted and became popular after it was transitioned into a Kabuki themed play. Being
performed as a Bunraku, it didn 't have that impact to make a debut and become popular. This is the first step in realizing that Bunraku is less efficient
in bringing out the true potential of a play. Kabuki proves to be more entertaining/interesting and that's why it became popular after the change in
performance. The Edo debut was held

An X-Ray of Japan
Japan is located in East Asia. It is an Archipelago, or group of islands, that extends into the Pacific Ocean. It lies between 24 degrees to 46 degrees
north latitude and from 123 degrees to 146 degrees east longitude. It is East of Korea and separated by the Sea of Japan and East–Northeast of China
and Taiwan, separated by the East China Sea. Japan's territory is approximately 377,923.1 sq mi. According to the October 2010 Census, Japan's
population was larger than it has ever been at 128,057,354. March 2012 census states that the population was approximately 157,650,000. Recently
passed years, Japan has experienced population loss due to the rise of failing birth rates and decline of immigration rates. The main language of
Japan is Japanese. Its writing consists of character sets that are derived from Chinese writing. One is Kanji, which is several thousands of Chinese
characters, Hiragana and Katakana, which together are called Kana. These are much simpler than Kanji, only having 2 syllables consisting of 46
characters each. The capital of Japan is Tokyo. According to www.citymayors.com, Tokyo is the largest city in Japan and the most populated. It is
followed by Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, Sapporo, Kobe, Fukuoka, Kyoto, Kawasaki, Saitama, Hiroshima, and Sendai. The Japan National Tourism
Organization (JNTO) states that seven out of ten of Japan's tourists'

Culture Changes During The Edo Period
Culture Changes during the Edo Period
The Edo Period in Japan (1600–1868) was ruled by Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu who was appointed by the Emperor. During this time, many changes
happened to promote stability among the people and Japan. Early The Shogun adoptive a system which was later called Neo–Confucianism based on
Confucianism (From China). This system stressed the importance of morals, education and hierarchical order in the government and society (Japan
Guide.com).The Shogun needed to create peace and by using segregation, there were four types of divisions during the Edo period. First at the top was
the Shogun and Samurai, they created structure and peace among the domains. Second in line was the peasants because without them the most
important need would not be filled which was food. Artisans were third in line being they added some value for the reason that they produced goods
like swords for the Samurai, artwork, music, and painting/printing. Last on the list of importance was the merchants. Merchants made money off
people and therefor held no value to the Shogun. Due to a closed door policy that was enforced by the Shogun hardly anything came into Japan
without permission during the Edo period. The Shogun also limited trade with other Western Nations and prevented Japan from trading. For over 200
years Japan has little to do with trade outside with the exception of a Dutch post in Nagasaki and maintaining relations with China and a post in Pusan
where

Creative Elements In Julie Taymor's The Tempest
In Julie Taymor's theatrical rendition of "The Tempest", Taymor successfully directs the challenging Shakespearian play drawing on personal creative
elements. Throughout the entire play Taymor channels her artistic vison of the play, incorporating ideas such as mask making, lighting effects, and
costume design to create her own concept production.
Taymor successfully accomplishes her task of tackling a difficult Shakespeare play, interpreting the artistic values to make it her own, and setting it to
a live production. As with any classical piece, especially those written by William Shakespeare, in today's theatrical world is especially difficult. Since
William Shakespeare isn't alive to consult about theatrical concepts, it is up to the director

Summary and Reflection of Nihon Furisode Hajime by...
On Sunday, March 9, 2014, I had a great opportunity to watch Nihon Furisode Hajime, a Kabuki play held in Kabukiza theatre in Tokyo, Japan. The
production was written by the pen name Chikamatsu Monzaemon whose actual name is Nobumori Sugomori. The play was formerly created for the
puppet theatre, Bunraku, and was first staged in Osaka in 1718. Also, it was first performed in Kyoto after it has immediately reformed to Kabuki
during the same month.
Nihon Furisode Hajime is a fictional story about the fight between an eight–headed serpent and Susanoo. As a yearly ceremonial, the townspeople
brought Princess Inada to the Izumo Mountain, the site where the annual sacrifice for the serpent is dedicated. The serpent, disguised as an ugly
princess, was attracted to jars full of sake before she was able to attack Princess Inada. Knowing that the sake wine will weaken the serpent, a hero
named Susanoo used set up the jars of sake wine as a trap against the serpent. Susanoo then attacked and defeated the drunken eight–headed serpent and
saved Princess Inada.
There are three main characters in the production. The first main character of the play is Princess Iwanaga. She is a jealous woman whose spirit has
become the eight–headed serpent. Due to her insecurities of being called ugly, she threatens and demands the villagers to send her every year the body
of the most beautiful girl in town. Another important character named Princess Inada is a young and beautiful princess of a

The Four Pillars Of The Japanese Theater
Japanese theater has four main pillars of the classical theater consisting of, Kabuki, Noh, Kyogen, and Bunraku Puppet Theater. They all have deep
roots, the longest of them being Noh, dating back to 1363, after the Prince Shotoku converted to Buddhism, and Kan'ami and Zeami refined the court
arts and created Noh (Mitchell 239). Following Noh came Bunraku, emerging during 1603–1867 (Mitchell 240). Bunraku was very popular until
Kabuki came out, in the late 18th century, and overcame the many accusations against the art (Mitchell 242). The interesting thing about Japanese
theater is that its focus is strongly on tradition, and being so it is passed down from the elder people of the generation to the younger so that they can
keep the theater... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
In the mid 1800's Kabuki Theater tried to make a revival, and they did, yet it was not as strong as it once was because they tried to incorporate a
multitude of Western culture into the theater (Japan Fact Sheet). Once they found a happy medium between the traditional culture and the modern
culture with writers such as Okamoto Kido and Mishima Yukio, who were not previously involved in Kabuki, Kabuki began to grow in popularity
again (Japan Fact Sheet). Kabuki today closely resembles the a close family of actors in the hierarchy, the staging of past plays (Japan Fact Sheet).
Kabuki has a strong alliance with the famous celebrities, and they are often found on the stage (Japan Fact Sheet). Noh Theater is known as
characteristically simple (Introducing the world of Noh). There are no sets or props on the stage, and to keep it simple the Noh stages have no
curtains to separate the audience from the actors (Introducing the world of Noh). This has stayed the same throughout most of the history of Noh
(What is Noh?). In noh, there is also a sense of unity throughout, all of the Actors and ensemble are always on the stage together, they function as one,
all the actions that they perform on stage are simple (What is Noh?). A main aspect of Noh is the masks that the actors use. They are called "Hannia"
they are an extension of the actor and become the face that the audience sees (Noh Masks). Noh theater was founded

Japan 's Influence On Its Unique Culture
From Isolation to Open Borders In the far–east, off the coast of the Asian continent lies an island nation, originally shrouded in mystery from the rest of
the known world. From a remote and isolated empire to a United States ally, Japan has successfully made its existence known to the international
community. Over the period of the nineteenth and twentieth century's, Japan has gone through drastic changes to its political, military, and economic
infrastructure that has had an impact on its unique culture. At the beginning of Japan's Edo Period, "in the year 1639, the Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu
imposes the seclusion of Japan, by cutting off the links with all foreign states. Japan resigns thus to any connection with the external world and locks
the door to the foreigners." (Shogun, 1) This led to internal retirement, which became the basis for the strong cultural growth Japan experienced for
nearly two and a half centuries before its borders once again opened to the outside world. During Japan's isolation from the outside world, popular
culture began to grow and new art forms like Kabuki, Noh, and Bunraku Theater as well as ukiyo–e became very popular among the people. These art
forms used face paint, masks, song, dance, and music in order to tell stories and entertain while displaying folklore and strengthening Japanese culture.
During this time the Shinto religion became the national religion of Japan. Shinto taught that the souls of the dead became gods, and

Essay on Kabuki and Bunraku Art
As we know, Japanese culture is ancient, rich and assorted. It is considered a millennium culture, with lots of traditions and beliefs that make it very
attractive. These traditions and beliefs are expressed, among other ways, through the performing arts, as: theatre, cinema, ballet, dance, etc. which
somehow express the identity of the Japanese people. Within these performing arts we can find to BUNRAKU and KABUKI which belong to this kind
of art, but they are two expressions very different from each other.
Concerning the set in scene, Bunraku consists in puppets which are handled each one by three people, who are behind the puppets and move them with
the right hand from one side to another on the stage. In contrast, in Kabuki the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
There are lots of attempts, on the wife's side, to get along with her husband. But everything ends up in a negative way, with the suicide of the husband.
On the other hand, Kabuki´s plot point out the relationship between parents and children, about the problem that exist when parents ignore to
their children and don't give them the attention that the children need. This is represented by a fox which is obsessed with a drum. We can see a
beautiful woman knocking this drum and ignoring the presence of the fox. Unlike Bunraku, Kabuki has a happy end, where parents and children
achieve to be in touch.
Concerning the training of the actors; in Bunraku they have to have, at least, ten years of experience in the management of the puppets. This is the
reason of the skill in the so natural movements of these puppets that amaze to everybody. To reach this purpose, these actors have to practice around
three hours per day. On the other hand, Kabuki requires from the actors a physical training, a kind of circus training, because they have to make
many jumps from different places on the stage. To do this, they have to have a balanced diet, low in calories. The practice of the exercises must be at
least four days per week.
Both Bunraku and Kabuky make use of the voice resource, so the actors have to create a voice and a way of speak for every character; but in Bunraku
there are only human characters, in the case of Kabuki, the

Why Learn Japanese Language Essay
Why learn the Japanese language?
–Discovering the Japan's culture–
Japan has developed a distinct, original and unique culture, the base of a glorious civilization. Japanese civilization flourished and redefined a new
interest and a great emotional involvement in the arts. Traditional Japanese arts include Ikebana, origami, Ukiyo–e, handicraft (dolls), poetry,
performances (bunraku, Kabuki, noh, rakugo), special traditions (games, Onsen, sento, tea ceremony, budo, architecture, gardening, swords) and
culinary arts. To properly understand them, learning the Japanese language, it is a must.
Learning Japanese language, it will help you to understand its vast culture
Today, Japan is the leader in "exporting" its popular culture, which has... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Traditional Japanese landscapes can be divided into 3 types: Tsukiyama Gardens (hill type garden) Karesansui Gardens (dry garden) and Chaniwa
Gardens (tea garden).
Tsukiyama Gardens: ponds, hills, rocks, trees, flowers, bridges and paths – are used to create a miniature reproduction of a natural landscape that is
often famous in China or Japan. The name Tsukiyama refers to the creation of artificial hills.
Karesansui Gardens illustrate natural landscapes in a more abstract way, using stones, sand and some paths bags for the most representative mountains,
islands, rivers and seas. The gardens are strongly influenced by Zen Buddhism and used for meditation.
Sakura and the Cherry Blossom Festival
Sakura (cherry blossom) is Japan's unofficial national flower. It is celebrated for centuries and has a well–defined place in Japanese culture. There are
many varieties of cherry trees in Japan, most blooming only for a few days in the spring. The Japanese celebrate that time of the year with Hanami
(admire the cherry blossoms) giving parties under the blooming trees. There are several types of traditional Japanese music

Diversity In Theatre
Diversity in Theatre
Theatre has evolved over the many years. As it has grown, it moved to include more diverse performers, crew, producers, and audiences. This is an
exploration of the expansion of diverse theatre.
Western Theatre as an artform began as religious rituals in ancient Greece. Formerly, only men could become actors, women being typically played by
men or boys. In Ancient Roman and Medieval theatre women were allowed occasionally, but not often. In the 17th Century opera became prevalent,
which began to include female singers. Behn was the first professional woman writer in English literature, best known for her plays and her novel
'Oroonoko'. Which led the way for female playwrights. Females began to slowly but surely make ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
population were African American, and Immigrant population was 14.4% of the population. By 2011, 12% of the population was African American,
6% Asian American, and 16.7% Latino and Hispanic. As with everything, theatre matured to include these populations. In Dahomey in 1903 was "the
first full–length musical written and played by blacks to be performed at a major Broadway house."
Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, many productions with prominently non–white casts have become widely popular, including Miss Saigon,
which won 7 Tony's in 1991, In the Heights which won the Tony for Best Musical in 2008, and Hairspray, which also received a movie adaption.
Although many of these musicals focus mainly on issues involving race, and are historically non–white. Recently, "color blind casting" has grown.
Defined by the Actors Equity Association as "nontraditional casting" and also known as "integrated casting," It is the practice of not considering an
actors race or nationality while casting. Rising in popularity due to the success of Hamilton, which casts actors of all races as white historic figures,
for example, mixed race actor Daveed Diggs as French military officer Marquis De Lafayette and founding father Thomas

Ancient Greek And Ancient Theater In Ancient Greece
Theater in Ancient Greece Back in ancient greece plays started out as a tribute honoring greece gods, a god named Dionysia. Theater back then
was very different from how it is for us today. Back then only three people were allowed to perform onstage as time went on more silent acting
parts were being allowed. The limit of performers at a time was a real bummer for those looking to be more involved in theater. Chous was
becoming a lot more popular at the time because people were looking for an alternative to somehow be involved in theater anyway they can.
Audiences and stadiums were so big at the time that in order to see an actor's face the masks that the actors wore were very drastic. Mask making
was a very clever art of its own because not only were they well designed and exaggerated, but they were also made in such a way that the masks
actually projected the voice of the actors so people in the stadium could hear them. Now although this helped much the stadiums were also cleverly
constructed to project the actors voice as well as gestures, also made very exaggerated so people could see. Medieval Time Plays In medieval times
plays were very different from today's standard play anyone can go see. There were also different kinds of plays performed much like genres called
today. There were different kinds of these genres one being Mystery plays these were played specifically off of bible scripture. They were pretty
clever on the fact that they ended the play at a

Difference Between American And Japanese Horror Essay
Since the early days of filmmaking, Hollywood the dominated over the world cinema. American cinema has always drawn inspiration from other
nations. In the past, few countries have received more attention from Hollywood than Japan. There be little doubt that Nakata's Ringu (1998) has much
to do with the recent international interest not just in Japanese cinema, but East Asian cinema more generally. (Colette, 2008). In America and Europe
horror films tell the story of extermination of evil spirits, Japanese horror films end up with the suggestion that the spirit still remain at large. That's
because Japanese don't regard spirits only as enemies, but as being that co–exist with this world of ours. (Suzuki, 2005). In this essay I will look at the
difference between American and Japanese horror style and discuss the reasons why Japanese horror films are appealing prospect for remake. To do
this I need to look at the importance of Roy lee and vertigo entertainment in remaking films such as the Ring (2002) which is directed by Gore
Verbinski. The difference between Japanese and Hollywood horror is that, Hollywood horror is action–ordinated meaning they rely primarily on blood
and violence to scare audience in contrast to Japanese horror which relays firmly on folklore, urban legend, and myth (Langford: 2005: 175) and often
offer more depth and thrills. There are many elements that make up the Japanese horror. First of all, Japanese horror films are inspired by folktales,
legends

History Of Roman And Greek Culture
"It is the constant aim of the management to prevent the use of a single word, expression, or situation that will offend the intelligent, refined and
cultured classes" (Stein 23). This is the motto of 'Mr. Chase's Original Idea: Polite Vaudeville,' a then unheard of yet soon widely popular subcategory
of vaudeville theater in the early 1900s until the 1930s. In many places and in many time periods in the world, it is found that theater is not only
considered prominent in culture but is often integral. This can be seen especially in ancient Roman and Greek culture, as the combination of theater,
music, and dance were significant.
Rome has been a place of passionate, bustling life for more than 2,000 years. This trend started when the huge city was founded in 753 B.C.E. Theater
has been an essential part of Roman culture since this time, and expressive plays and musicals were performed regularly. Roman plays were often
performed in temporary wooden theaters in earlier times, until Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, better known as Pompey the Great (a military and
bureaucratic leader), built the first stone theater in Rome. This theater, known as the Theatre of Pompey, could hold up to 11,000 spectators and was
hugely popular during its high point. The theater was built in 55 B.C.E. and is considered the first permanent theater built in Rome. Two stone theaters
were built after that: the Theater of Balbus and the Theater of Marcellus, both built in 13 B.C.E. and capable of holding up to

Night Of The Living Dead Essay
In 1968, George Romero unleashed his film Night of the Living Dead unto the world where zombies made their iconic debut as one of modern
society's prolific horror monsters. Since then, Night of the Living Dead has been regarded as a cult classic and like the virus featured in the film, the
undead has spread infectiously throughout the horror genre for many more decades to come. Perhaps the reason of our over–use of zombies is because
it epitomizes our subconscious fear of ourselves; the belief that humans will end humanity. Coincidentally or not, two years after the film's release a
roboticist named Masahiro Mori created a graph to showcase the feelings of "strangeness" that derive from zombies. Zombies were placed in an
"uncanny valley" on the graph because they scored high in human ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The solution may lie in the oversaturation of the living dead in mainstream media today; our inclination has changed from being frightened at a mere
thought to having amiable or even favorable disposition towards them. A review of popular culture may have the answer in preventing human–like
robots from evoking a feeling of "strangeness," in the form of desensitization through constant exposure and can be explained through Ernst Jentsch's
theory of "intellectual uncertainty." Masahiro Mori's The Uncanny Valley proposes an objective solution to a subjective issue with feelings of
"strangeness" deriving from human–like robots, but a deeper examination into the subjective aspect using Ernst Jentsch's theory of "intellectual
uncertainty" from On the Psychology of the Uncanny suggests a likely solution to the phenomena found in robotics

The Moon Watching Blind Man Summary
Joseph Yamaguchi
Ancient Comedies
11/18/17
The Moon–viewing Blind Man, Easter and Western Thought
Are humans' animalistic savages or have we evolved long enough to have shed our animalistic nature? Has society created separation between
individuals so great that we have resorted to our animalistic nature of fending for ourselves or has it always been there? Questions that make us rethink
our stance on who we really are. In philosophy, the animalist doctrine states that humans are animals in their essential identity and are persons only
through their contingent properties. This idea affects man and makes us question our own existence and progress in our daily lives. This duality of
man, animal and human aspect such as compassion and thought. can be further extended to Nietzsche idea of the Apollonian and Dionysian sides of
man and the influence this idea had on the development of modern philosophy pertaining to existentialism. This dichotomy of the multiple sides of
man would appear in the philosophical movement of Edo Neo–Confucianism, one of the main philosophy of the later Azuchi–Momoyama period
through the Edo period, as well as showing a connection in both eastern and western philosophy. This idea of the dualism of man is shown in the
Kyogen "The Moon–viewing Blind Man" where the playwright displays this idea of man's internal struggle between the Apollonian side in contrast to
one's Dionysian side and how one can digress to a primitive state when the eyes of

Japanese Culture Report
A Report on Japanese Culture Folkways: While most countries have business cards, Japan has taken it to a higher level. For in Japan everyone
has at least one. Known as ‘Meishi’, these cards are an important part of social interactions. They are used for starting
conversations, for if you know what the other person you are talking with does for a living you have an idea on what to talk about. It also allows
you to be remembered after you both part company. You should always be prepared with your business card in Japan. Another custom in Japan is gift
giving. Gifts are given and received at any possible occasion in Japan. It is a way to show appreciation and is viewed as the thing to do. According to
etiquette;... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
This drawing style is considered to be the Japanese equivalent to the American comic book. With its sometimes violent and explicit graphics it could
be shrugged off as nothing more than a cheap thrill. This notion is quickly put aside when one realizes just how far the reach of Manga has stretched.
This graphic–novel is read by people of all ages in Japan. From the schoolgirl reading back copies of the popular “Sailor Moon” series,
to the businessman reading the companies handbook portrayed in an eye–pleasing comic book like manual. Due to its thoughtful plot and interesting
drawing style, the manga will thrive for a long time to come. An object that is used daily by millions of Japanese people worldwide is called
chopsticks, also known as Hashi. Originally from china this eating device had been shortened and simplified in design. While some chopsticks may be
crafted out of ivory, bone, or other materials; the modern chopsticks have been made in the better–known wooden snap–apart versions that are used in
such abundance today. It is also an important part in the aesthetic look that Japanese food aspires to. The use of chopsticks in religious ceremonies also
dictates certain ways of using this utensil. Subcultures: A facet that makes up the gem of the Japaneseculture is called the Yakuza. The Yakuza are close
to the organized criminal–underground of Europe and America called the

The Ming Dynasty And Tokugawa Period
Literature of The Ming Dynasty and Tokugawa Period
As we study world history, many people focus on battles, conquerors, and influential events, occasionally disregarding the importance of the cultures of
civilizations. Literature and poetry play a huge role in the cultural diversity of different civilizations around the world. Without literary documentation,
we would have little information about the history and events from centuries ago. Historians rely on the literature written hundreds of years ago to
understand the course of history and how it leads to today's world. Literature and poetry can also help us understand life styles, cultural importance, and
the cultural diversity in previous time periods. Understanding cultural diversity is ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Literature became a daily necessity in Japan, whereas in China, literature and poetry was enjoyed simply for entertainment on the side of the daily lives
of the citizens. When the Japanese governments issued the Seclusion Act, closing the country off from the outside world, Japan experienced a long
period of peace, extending into the Tokugawa Period. During this time, the arts in Japan grew rapidly and had time to form diverse new art forms, such
as haikai. The Japanese people invested themselves in literature and poetry, and it grew to become necessary in business environments including social
and recreational environments. Ming China was a booming period of technological advancement and growth. Although the Chinese culture, especially
literature and poetry, remained an important part of Chinese life, the culture was not nearly as prominent and highly regarded as advancements in
technology and world status. People in the Ming Dynasty enjoyed literature in the forms of storytelling and theatre, fiction–based art forms, but they
didn't recognize it as an important part of their daily lives. Japan's flourishing arts were a result of their isolation from the world, whereas China's
culture development was not nearly as important to the people, focusing on stable government and international reputation. Both time periods were

Westernization Of Japanese Theatre Styles
Shingeki : Westernization of Japanese theatre.
This essay will discuss the extend of which the pioneers of Shingeki managed to adapt western style drama and incorporate it in their particular style,
by analysing their approaches and expectations. Through a comparison between Japan's oldest and most traditional theatre style and Shingeki ,
translated in English as New Theatre, mentioning other forms of traditional style that were touched by the western influence, , this essay aims to
highlight the extend of which the Japanese theatre has been influenced by the western style.
In studying the origins of Shingeki, it is evident that two men had a massive impact in developing this style; men considered as pioneers of Shingeki.
Tsubouchi ShЕЌyЕЌ and Kaoru Osanai are two of the pioneers who developed an interest in western style drama, and tried to adapt their traditional
styles to the western influences, without deviating from their Asian origins.
Tsubouchi ShЕЌyЕЌ , approached the problem of modernization of Japanese theatre through studying western plays and playwrights and to use his
research to reform the traditional style of playwriting. He translated and studied Shakespearean plays for the main purpose of capturing his masterful
playwriting and using it to reform the Kabuki theatre. He aimed to use an existent form of Japanese theatre and adapt it to the changes required in
order to perform western styled plays .His approach was very literal, analysing western plays not only

Role of the Scenographer
CR 516– SCENOGRAPHY– UoA2 Essay
Q//Write a, detailed, illustrated, analytical case study that explores the role of the scenographer and the scenographic outcome in a live production or
productions you have personally seen. Particular attention should be paid to the overall scenic approach, the use of lighting, audio, visual effects,
costumes, scene changes, and the overall interpretation of the narrative.
A//
This essay is going to act as a case study of live productions which I have personally seen, and drawing from other examples to be able to communicate
the role of the scenographer and the product. It will highlight the outcomes of audio–visual effects, lighting, costume design, scene changes and the
understanding of the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The main idea is for the puppet doll which is usually large, to be manipulated by the puppeteers as the narrative unfolds. The puppets vary in size,
and can be the size of a person (roughly 5 feet); a puppet of this size would usually need three people to manoeuvre it. However, it is possible for
the smaller puppets to be controlled by one person, though from what I have seen it takes a lot of precision to be able to follow the choreography
of some of the dance routines whilst controlling the walking and gestures of these puppet dolls. In the image (Fig 5) below, you see the character
of the meerkat, Timon, who if static may seem lifeless but with the help of the puppeteer, is extremely animated when you watch from the
spectators seat, especially during the song 'Hakuna Matata' plays as he sings and speaks which evokes a human emotion. Having the puppeteer
dressed in 'grass covered' outfit really made it look like the puppet doll was doing all the 'work' as the green outfit blends in to the scenes. The
images Fig 6 and Fig 7 show some of the larger puppet dolls which I found fascinating to watch due to the seamless coordination of the puppeteers.
There are some very graceful movements required when controlling these puppets, Fig 8 shows us this as the puppeteer had to make it seem like the
cheetah was walking very unhurriedly with a lot of grace. Fig 5 Fig 6 Fig 7 Fig 8
The use of small

The Kabuki Theater
Although it started out as just another type of dance, Kabuki eventually emerged into an important and fascinating theatre where elaborate makeup and
costumes combined to put on entertaining performances for audiences throughout the centuries. Kabuki started out as a style of dance in the early
sixteenth century, also known as the Edo period. Kabuki is an exclusive type of theater in which only males can act on stage. For over 400 years,
women have only been allowed in the audience and not on stage. But ironically, a woman named Izumo Okuni along with her female troupe originally
created the theatre. Okuni, who may have come from the shrine of Izumo, set up a temporary stage in Kyoto around 1603 where she and her troupe
acted out slightly ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The "Demon Queller Glare" makeup is so powerful that supposedly the actor can make a "glaring pose" to scare away any evil spirits. Based on
the Samurai pattern, this makeup is accomplished by leaving the eyelids white but framing the eyes above and below with black lines. The
makeup emphasizes the actor's eyes as much as possible, and makes them seem to grow wider and wider as he stares (Agostino 4). Sometimes
actors draw in eyes on their closed eyelids to make them look even bigger for the ideal "glaring pose" (Heinrichs 118). In earlier days, the Kabuki
actor would apply Kumadori makeup with his fingers so he could follow his bone structure, outlining the right places to make it look even bolder.
Kumadori makeup is still very popular today. Expressed through bold and dramatic designs painted with fingers and brushes, it remains the center of
attention in Kabuki. Common characters in Kabuki theatre each have basic makeup colors and patterns that they wear often, which each color
representing a different emotion (Agostino 5). The colors most commonly used are red, black, pale green, light blue, and indigo, where red stands for
anger, black represents fear, pale green stands for calmness, light blue represents sadness, pink indicates youth, and indigo stands for gloominess. Also,
in Kumadori makeup different shades of white are used to represent class, age, and even gender of the character (Heinrichs 119). A lot of important
costumes in Kabuki

Theatre As A Form Of Theatre
Theatre and live performance can serve so many purposes and one of them is to globally entertain the audience and to shape the society through the
lessons learnt from a performance or play. Theatre exists because we are mimetic and communal beings, we seek order, finally we enjoy and need
entertainment.
Theatre as a form of entertainment is extremely popular all over the world, and it has been designed to hold audience's attention for a long time, it
has been the primary form of public entertainment way before the advent of radio and movies (Foreman). Live performances are known to get
audience off their seats due to excitement and it can also change one's mood from bad to good or vice versa.
Examples of theatre as a form of entertainment ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
This play has been revived many times since its premiere(Cruttwell).
The Role of the audience when it comes to theatric entertainment can be affected by the genre of the play, space of the theatre, sitting arrangement and
demographics. It is up to the audience to make a performance better due to different reactions like echoing (being loud), laughter, standing ovation and
gasping.
Another great importance of theatre is the way it shapes the society. Firstly, theatre brings people together as a community, Greek theatre is a good
example of this, especially during the festival of Dionysus, where the audience for plays would be over 1000 people. This gives the community
something to talk about therefore bringing people together. Theatre can also be of importance because of the sense of identity it brings people,
Theater, being such an ancient art, has become part of the cultural heritage of many cultures. Peking Opera, Bunraku, Noh are all specific to a culture
and form a part of the identity of the people who belong to these cultures. Theatre being used as an instrument for change is also important,
nowadays, social media and video are probably a more effective tool to effect change in society, but there is no media that can cause a bigger impact
than theater. Watching a live performance is much more likely to compel you to act for change. The work of theorists like Bertolt Brecht and Augusto
Boal is pretty much completely based on this idea.

Japan Cultural Influences
Japan Japan would have to be one of the most pulchritudinous country in Asia. Japan is 377962 km2 of beauty. The 127 million (as of 2016) people
who live there could tell you one different thing they love about Japan. Whether it be their culture, language, their yen currency or their four main
islands. Cultural Influences Japan is full of diverse people, music, food, religion, art, languages, clothing, customs, games and festivals. However,
they all come together to make Japan as we know it. Which has influenced almost every country on Earth to have a little or a lot of their lifestyle
Japanese Every region in Japan has their own celebrations/festivals but also celebrate the same as other regions. Some of the biggest are Gion Matsuri
(Kyoto), Awa Odori (Tokushima), Kanda Matsuri (Tokyo, Yuki Matsuri, Snow Festival (Sapporo), Nebuta Matsuri (Aomori). Kyoto, Tokushima,
Sapporo and Aomori are the four–main island of Japan. In some countries, these festivals/celebrations are celebrated as well. Japanese food is one of
the most widely eaten food in the world and is a very large employer in Japan. Walking down the streets in Japan you can smell the delicious meals
cooking from the many restaurants and the sellers at the fish markets yelling for you to come and buy. The fish market industry in Japan employs
over 65000 people. Fish Markets don't only sell fish but all types of seafood. From little agricultural land Japan imports a lot of their food, for
example, 90% of Japans beef comes from Australia. Japan is also known for having the deadliest meal on the planet, nugashi fuku. Another world
wide Japanese delicacy is Sushi. Sushi consists of seaweed, rice, vegetables and fish. Tea is also a world–wide favourite from Japan. Many forms of
music, art and poetry come from ancient and current Japan. Such as Origami – paper folding, Ikebana – flower arranging ( very strict rules ), Manga –
a type of comic book read by children and adults often made into animated cartoons ( called anime ), Bunraku – ВЅ life sized puppets. One is
controlled by 3 puppeteers & Haikus – a form of poetry, usually about nature & consists of three lines of 5 syllables, 7 syllables then 5 syllables.
Karaoke is a world –phenomenon which

Essay on Kabuki Theatre
To what extent does stage design impact, influence, and enhance a traditional Kabuki theatre performance, more specifically, in the eighteenth century
play Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura (Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees) written by Takeda Izumo II, Namiki SenryГ» I, and Miyoshi ShГ
ґraku?
Table of Contents
Title Page..................................................................................................Page 1
Table of Contents........................................................................................Page 2
Subject of Essay......................................................................................Page 3–10 *
Introduction......................................................................................Page 3 * Kabuki and Kabuki History.................................................................Page 3–4
* Aspects of Stage Design.....................................................................Page 4–6 * Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura and Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura
History.................Page ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
This can be seen in Figure 2, which states "The kabuki stage is equipped with various mechanical contrivances for dramatic effect. One of these is the
Seri, a platform that can be raised and lowered from below the stage to make actors appear and disappear Nowadays, this is motor–driven."
Figure 2 was a much earlier depiction of the stage, now it is much more intricate. There are over fifteen aspects to the stage that make it unique to
Kabuki theatre. Each one holds an important aspect. It is more in–depth in Figure 3. Primarily, when starting from the top left and working the way
down comes the mawaributal, which is known as the revolving stage. The mawaributal used to be operated only using human power and provide for
simple scene changes by simply revolving the center section of the stage. Not only does it allow all of the audience to view the scene it is also much
more appealing then abrupt scene changes. Then comes the Hombutai and two Daijin–bashiras, the Daijin–bashiras are two black pillars on both stage
left and stage right and between them like the Hombutai, which is the stage prop. Stage right is the Shimote, which holds the left side of the
audience and stage left is called the Kamite and there sits the right side of the audience. Audience's sit all over the stage because of all the different
places acting takes place. There is a little box in front of the Shimote called the Kuromisu, also known as the Geza and here Nagauta is sung in

Giacomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly
Madama Butterfly, written by Giacomo Puccini, tells the tragic tale of Cio–Cio San and her American lover through music and lyrics in Italian. The
production uses visual imagery to connect with the audience across language barriers and to create a stunning picture. One example of this visual
imagery is the use of Bunraku and puppetry to portray certain characters. The use of Bunraku for the child created a lifelike portrayal but could not
provide full emotional depth, and the other puppets towards the beginning of the opera felt unnecessary and confusing. The child puppet moved in a
way that was close to the way and actual child moves, and the realism of this movement helped me keep the idea of the child in my head as I
watched the show. I was able to ignore the three people controlling the child partly because of what they wore, the dark and veiled costumes concealing
their identities, and partly because the movement and actions looked very real. When the child walked, the perceived weight shift was correct, and this
helped create the illusion that Cio–Cio San had a child with her onstage that was her own. The ability to have a portrayal of a child onstage helped the
emotional connection because it gave ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The child, at first, was believable and enriching to the story, however, as time went on, it became more of a hindrance because there was a character
onstage who could only sit and walk but could not emote. The child is a central struggle for Cio–Cio San, and it was less emotional watching her
connecting with an inanimate object. I understand the need for a puppet to portray this role because it is a hard piece for a young child to play a part
in, but connecting and understanding the bond between Cio–Cio San and her son was hard and felt more forced than

Kabuki Theater Essay
Kabuki Theater
*No Works Cited
Kabuki Theater was created around the year 1600. It was almost around the same time that the English began to form colonies on the American
continent. The history of Kabuki is as long as the history of the United States.
Kabuki was created by a shrine maiden named Okuni. Okuni was from Izumo Shrine. Her performances in the rive beds of the ancient capital of Kyoto
caused a sensation. Soon their scale increased and a number of competing companies started.
Early Kabuki was much different from what is seen today. It was consisted mostly of large group dances performed by women. Most of these women
acted as prostitutes off stage. Finally the government banned women from the stage in an effort to ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
It was also during this period that the close relationship between Kabuki and the Bunraku puppet theater began. The two would continue to grow while
influencing each other.
The decades after the Genroku period saw numerous cycles of creative periods followed by refinement. In the early 18th century, the rise of skilled
playwrights in the Bunraku puppet theater helped it to deprive Kabuki of popularity for a time. I t was remarked by one observer that it seemed as
though "there was no Kabuki." Actors responded by adapting puppet plays for the stage and creating stylized movements to mimic the puppets
themselves. The late 18th century saw a trend towards realism and the switch of the cultural center from Kyoto and Osaka to Edo. One consequence of
this was the change of tastes in onnagata acting. While onnagata trained in Kyoto who had the soft, gentle nature of that city had been valued before,
now audiences preferred those who showed the strong pride and nature of Edo women. An increasing audience desire for decadence as seen in the
ghost plays and beautification of murder scenes marked early 19th century.
The opening of Japan to the West in 1868 affected Kabuki and the rest of the country profoundly. Just when it thought it was free from government
restrictions; Kabuki was faced with the challenge to adapt to the changing world. Actors like Ichikawa Danjuro IX tried to raise the

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