Life Themes: An Anthology of Plays for the Theatre - Softcover

Barton, Robert; McGregor, Annie

9781285463575: Life Themes: An Anthology of Plays for the Theatre

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1285463579 ISBN 13: 9781285463575

Publisher: Cengage Learning, 2014

LIFE THEMES is a drama anthology that provides complete scripts for the 12 plays discussed in PLAYS FOR THE THEATRE's Dramatic Interlude sections. The anthology mirrors the Interludes with six themes: love, war, generations, rebellion, dreams, and values. Each theme is represented by both a classical and a contemporary play. While the first play is usually by a white male from a previous century, the second modern script is from women, Asian-American, Latino, and African-American writers. For each play, the editors provide historical context, a biography about the playwright, an examination of contemporary relevance of the script, a discussion of other works by the playwright, and suggestions for further study. From the authors, Robert Barton and Annie McGregor: "We hope these 12 plays will not only introduce readers to the breadth, depth, and scope of theatre, but will also engage their minds, emotions, and empathy for a huge spectrum of humanity outside their own experience."

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About the Author:

Robert Barton is Professor Emeritus of Acting at the University of Oregon. He has directed more than half of Shakespeare's plays and performed in most of them, including playing the title role in a PBS production of HAMLET. A prolific author, Dr. Barton has published numerous scholarly articles on acting and seven books, including VOICE: ONSTAGE AND OFF (with Rocco Dal Vera), THEATRE IN YOUR LIFE and LIFE THEMES (both with Annie McGregor), and ACTING REFRAMES. His STYLE FOR ACTORS received the Theatre Association's Best Book Award. In addition, he served as editor and adaptor of the newly revised edition of the classic text THE CRAFT OF COMEDY. The American College Theatre Festival honored Dr. Barton as Outstanding Acting Coach. He received his Ph.D. from Bowling Green State University.

Annie McGregor teaches script analysis and history/literature/criticism at The Pennsylvania State University School of Theatre, where she is currently Head of the BA Theatre program. She has received the Atherton Award for Teaching Excellence and the College of Arts and Architecture Award for Teaching Excellence. She is a sometime actor, with her most recent and most favorite role being Jean in "After Mrs. Rochester," at the University of Oregon in its West Coast premiere. She is a regular dramaturg; her most recent projects include "Mother Courage and Her Children" and "Pentecost." She is increasingly intrigued by the world of online teaching, after the successful launch and continued success of her Art of the Theatre web course. She also continues to direct projects, with her latest offerings being "The Odyssey" and "Arabian Nights," both by her favorite playwright Mary Zimmerman.

Review:

"The introductions for each theme are interesting and intelligently rendered... very readable for an undergraduate student. I do believe they enhance the learning experience and are written in such a way to enlarge class discussion.

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