📚American Literature – Before 1800 Unit 12 – Early American Drama & Theater (1600s-1800)

Historical Context

• Early American drama and theater developed during the colonial period (1600s-1700s) influenced by British theatrical traditions
• Puritans initially opposed theater viewing it as immoral and frivolous leading to bans and restrictions in some colonies (Massachusetts)
• As colonies grew and diversified, attitudes towards theater became more accepting particularly in urban centers (Philadelphia, New York)
• Revolutionary War and early years of the United States saw a rise in patriotic and politically-themed plays reflecting the new nation's ideals and struggles
• Post-revolutionary period marked a growth in American-authored plays and the establishment of permanent theaters in major cities
  • First professional theater company in the United States opened in Philadelphia in 1794
  • Number of theaters and theatrical productions increased significantly by the early 1800s

Early Theatrical Traditions

• Early American theater drew heavily from British theatrical traditions including Shakespearean plays, Restoration comedies, and 18th-century sentimentalism
• Colonial theaters often featured a mix of British plays and locally-written works tailored to American audiences
• Traveling theater companies brought performances to smaller towns and rural areas expanding the reach of theater beyond major cities
• Plays were often adapted to include American settings, characters, and themes making them more relatable to colonial audiences
• Music and dance were important elements of early American theater with many plays featuring songs, ballads, and choreographed routines
  • Ballad operas, which combined spoken dialogue with popular songs, were particularly popular in the 1700s
• Scenery and special effects were limited in early theaters due to technical constraints but gradually became more elaborate as theaters grew and technology improved

Key Playwrights and Works

• Mercy Otis Warren (1728-1814) was one of the earliest American playwrights known for her political satires and patriotic themes
  • "The Adulateur" (1772) and "The Group" (1775) criticized British colonial policies and supported the American Revolution
• Royall Tyler's (1757-1826) "The Contrast" (1787) is considered the first American comedy and satirized the differences between American and British manners and values
• William Dunlap (1766-1839) was a prolific playwright, theater manager, and historian who wrote over 60 plays and adaptations
  • "The Father" (1789) and "Andre" (1798) were among his most successful works dealing with themes of family, loyalty, and patriotism
• Susanna Rowson (1762-1824) was a British-American novelist, actress, and playwright best known for her novel "Charlotte Temple" (1791)
  • Her play "Slaves in Algiers" (1794) addressed themes of captivity and cultural differences
• Other notable early American playwrights include Thomas Godfrey, Hugh Henry Brackenridge, and John Leacock

Themes and Motifs

• Patriotism and national identity were prominent themes in early American drama reflecting the country's struggle for independence and the formation of a distinct American culture
  • Plays often celebrated American virtues and values such as liberty, equality, and self-reliance while criticizing British tyranny and corruption
• The contrast between rural and urban life, and the tensions between American and European manners and customs were frequently explored
  • Plays often featured characters representing different regions and social classes grappling with questions of identity and belonging
• The frontier experience and the encounter between European settlers and Native Americans were also popular subjects
  • Plays depicted the challenges and conflicts of westward expansion and the impact of colonization on indigenous peoples
• Gender roles and expectations were examined in many plays with female characters often challenging traditional norms and asserting their independence
• Political and social satire was a common motif used to critique contemporary issues and public figures
  • Plays often employed humor, irony, and exaggeration to expose hypocrisy and corruption in government and society

Performance Practices

• Early American theaters were often simple wooden structures with limited seating and basic stage equipment
  • As theaters became more established, they added features such as raked stages, scenery, and lighting to enhance productions
• Actors were expected to be versatile and perform a wide range of roles from comic servants to tragic heroes
  • Many actors also served as managers, playwrights, and directors blurring the lines between different theatrical roles
• Audiences were active and engaged participants in performances often interacting with actors and responding vocally to the action on stage
  • Theatergoing was a social event and a means of public discourse with plays sparking debates and discussions on various topics
• Playbills and advertising were important tools for promoting productions and attracting audiences
  • Playbills often included detailed descriptions of the plays, cast lists, and information about upcoming performances
• Costumes and props were often recycled and adapted for different productions due to limited resources
  • Actors frequently provided their own costumes and accessories leading to a mix of styles and periods on stage

Social and Cultural Impact

• Theater played a significant role in shaping early American culture and identity serving as a forum for public discourse and a reflection of societal values and concerns
• Plays and performances contributed to the development of a distinct American literary tradition separate from British influences
  • Early American drama laid the foundation for the growth of American literature in the 19th century and beyond
• Theater also served as a means of education and moral instruction with many plays promoting virtues such as patriotism, honesty, and self-improvement
• Theatrical performances brought together diverse audiences from different social classes and backgrounds fostering a sense of community and shared experience
  • Theater helped to break down social barriers and promote a more democratic and inclusive society
• At the same time, theater also reflected and reinforced many of the inequalities and prejudices of early American society
  • Plays often depicted stereotypical and demeaning portrayals of marginalized groups such as Native Americans, African Americans, and women
  • Access to theater was often limited to the wealthy and educated with many working-class and rural Americans excluded from participation

Critical Reception and Analysis

• Early American drama received mixed reviews from contemporary critics and audiences with some praising its originality and patriotic themes while others dismissed it as inferior to British and European works
• Many early American plays were seen as derivative and formulaic lacking the sophistication and depth of their British counterparts
  • Critics often compared American plays unfavorably to the works of Shakespeare, Sheridan, and other canonical British dramatists
• However, some scholars have argued that early American drama should be evaluated on its own terms as a product of its specific historical and cultural context
  • Early American plays reflect the unique challenges and opportunities of a new nation grappling with questions of identity, independence, and democracy
• Recent scholarship has also highlighted the contributions of marginalized voices in early American theater such as women, African Americans, and Native Americans
  • Studies have explored how these groups used theater as a means of resistance, self-expression, and cultural preservation in the face of oppression and exclusion
• Contemporary productions and adaptations of early American plays have also shed new light on their relevance and significance for modern audiences
  • Revivals and re-imaginings of works by Warren, Dunlap, and others have highlighted their enduring themes and insights into American history and culture

Legacy and Influence

• Early American drama laid the groundwork for the development of a distinctly American theatrical tradition that would flourish in the 19th and 20th centuries
  • Playwrights such as Eugene O'Neill, Arthur Miller, and Tennessee Williams would build on the themes and techniques pioneered by their early American predecessors
• The works of early American dramatists also influenced the development of other literary genres such as the novel and short story
  • Writers such as Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper, and Nathaniel Hawthorne drew on the themes and motifs of early American drama in their own works
• Early American theater also played a crucial role in the professionalization and institutionalization of the performing arts in the United States
  • The establishment of permanent theaters, acting companies, and theatrical circuits in the late 18th and early 19th centuries paved the way for the growth of a thriving entertainment industry
• The legacy of early American drama can also be seen in the ongoing debates and discussions around the role of theater in American society
  • Questions of censorship, public funding, and the social responsibilities of the arts have their roots in the controversies and challenges faced by early American theater
• Today, early American drama is studied and celebrated as a vital part of the nation's cultural heritage and a testament to the enduring power of the theatrical arts to shape and reflect American identity
  • Scholars, artists, and audiences continue to explore and interpret the works of early American dramatists finding new meanings and relevance in their timeless themes and insights