American Avant-Garde Theatre: A History / Edition 1

by Arnold Aronson

Overview

This stunning contribution to the field of theatre history is the first in-depth look at avant-garde theatre in the United States from the early 1950s to the 1990s. American Avant-Garde Theatre offers a definition of the avant-garde, and looks at its origins and theoretical foundations by examining:
*Gertrude Stein
*John Cage
*The Beat writers
*Avant-garde cinema
*Abstract Expressionism
*Minimalism
There are fascinating discussions and illustrations of the productions of the Living Theatre, the Wooster Group, Open Theatre, Ontological-Hysteric Theatre and Performance Group. among many others. Aronson also examines why avant-garde theatre declined and virtually disappeared at the end of the twentieth century.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415241397
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/28/2000
Series:	Theatre Production Studies
Pages:	258
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Arnold Aronson is Professor of Theatre at Columbia University, USA.

Table of Contents

List of Plates. Preface. Acknowledgements. Chapter 1. Origins of the Avant-Garde Chapter 2. Theories and Foundations Chapter 3. Off Broadway, Happenings, and the Living Thatre Chapter 4. The 1960's: Collectives and Rituals Chapter 5. Smith, Wilson and Foreman Chapter 6. Performance Art (and the origins of the Wooster Group) Chapter 7. The Wooster Group, Reza Abdoh, and the End of the Avant-Garde. Conclusion. Bibliography.

Editorial Reviews

Aronson (theatre, Columbia U.) offers a definition of the avant-garde, and looks at its origins and theoretical foundations through the works of authors and whole movements such as Gertrude Stein, John Cage, The Beat writers, abstract expressionism, and minimalism. B&w photographs from productions of the Living Theatre, the Wooster Group, Open Theatre, individual performance artists, and Performance Group highlight the discussion of the rise and eventual fall of avant-garde theatre in the U.S. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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