Audience expectations

Definition

Audience expectations refer to the beliefs and anticipations that viewers bring to a theatrical performance based on their previous experiences, cultural background, and knowledge of the genre. These expectations shape how audiences engage with the performance and can influence their emotional responses, enjoyment, and overall perception of the work.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Audience expectations can vary widely depending on cultural context, prior exposure to similar works, and individual preferences.
2. The fulfillment or subversion of audience expectations can significantly affect the reception of a performance, often leading to stronger emotional reactions.
3. Theatrical productions often play with audience expectations by using familiar tropes or twisting genre conventions to create surprise or engagement.
4. Understanding audience expectations is essential for dramaturgs in crafting narratives that resonate and effectively communicate themes and messages.
5. Feedback from audiences post-performance can provide insights into how well their expectations were met or challenged, informing future productions.

Review Questions

• How do audience expectations influence the way a theatrical performance is received?
  • Audience expectations play a crucial role in shaping how a performance is perceived. When viewers enter a theater, they carry their own beliefs and anticipations based on prior experiences with similar genres or themes. If a production aligns with these expectations, audiences are more likely to enjoy and engage with it. However, if the production challenges or subverts these expectations, it can evoke strong emotional responses, either positively or negatively, thereby impacting overall reception.
• Discuss the relationship between genre conventions and audience expectations in theater.
  • Genre conventions are integral to audience expectations as they outline what viewers anticipate from a particular type of performance. For example, audiences expect certain elements from a comedy—like humor and lighthearted situations—while they might look for dramatic tension in a tragedy. When productions adhere to these conventions, they fulfill audience expectations, leading to satisfaction. Conversely, when productions break away from these norms, they can either surprise the audience or risk losing engagement if the shift feels jarring.
• Evaluate how understanding audience expectations can enhance the effectiveness of a dramaturg's work in creating a theatrical piece.
  • A dramaturg's understanding of audience expectations is key to crafting an effective theatrical piece. By analyzing what audiences typically anticipate based on genre, cultural context, and existing narratives, dramaturgs can develop scripts that resonate deeply. This knowledge allows them to either fulfill or deliberately subvert those expectations to elicit specific emotional responses. Furthermore, by aligning themes with audience beliefs while challenging them in thoughtful ways, dramaturgs can create compelling works that provoke discussion and engagement long after the curtain falls.

Related terms

Suspension of disbelief: The willingness of an audience to accept the fictional reality of a performance, allowing them to engage emotionally and mentally with the narrative.

Genre conventions: The established norms and characteristics that define specific genres of theater, influencing audience expectations regarding plot, style, and themes.

Intertextuality: The relationship between texts, where a performance references or draws upon other works, impacting how audiences interpret and respond based on their familiarity with those texts.