The history of art is the history of thought. Theatre reflects the ideas of the world's greatest thinkers and will continue to do so. Because theatre takes place at a singular location at a singular moment in time, it can and must share the ideas of its contemporaries. From Aristotle to Foucault, theories of spirituality and science have been portrayed on the stage.
Theatre practitioners must understand the theory behind what they are doing. Without a foundation in theatrical theory and history, an artist lacks a point of departure.
Fusing theory and practice has been discussed now for ages; achieving praxis is not easy. The arts are in a unique position in that they are the threshold between these two worlds. If the artist fully understands the material and its processes, then the art created will allow for an audience to understand as well. If part of the actor's job is to relate a story clearly, and the story stems from theoretical concepts, then the actor must understand that theory in order to tell the story clearly.
I am a lifelong learner. Keeping current while maintaining ties to the past allows theatre to exist in the moment as well as into the future in the minds of its viewers.
To view a writing sample, click below.
“He who loves practice without theory is like the sailor who boards ship without a rudder and compass and never knows where he may cast.”