2.3 Expressionism in Theater

Expressionism in theater shook up traditional storytelling. Playwrights like Strindberg and O'Neill dove into characters' minds, showing their inner turmoil through wild sets and exaggerated acting. It was all about bringing hidden emotions to light.

This style tackled big issues like feeling lost in the modern world. Plays like "The Adding Machine" used weird visuals and dream-like scenes to show how people felt crushed by society. It was a bold new way to explore the human experience on stage.

Expressionist Playwrights

Key Figures in Expressionist Theater

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• August Strindberg, Swedish playwright who pioneered expressionist techniques in his later works (A Dream Play, The Ghost Sonata)
• Eugene O'Neill, American playwright influenced by Strindberg, incorporated expressionist elements into plays like The Emperor Jones and The Hairy Ape
• Elmer Rice, American playwright known for his expressionist play The Adding Machine which critiques the dehumanizing effects of modern industrialization

Themes and Influences

• Expressionist playwrights often explored the inner psychological states and subjective experiences of their characters
• Their works frequently dealt with themes of alienation, the struggle for identity, and the dehumanizing effects of modern society
• Influenced by the ideas of Sigmund Freud and the emerging field of psychology, expressionist playwrights sought to stage the inner workings of the human mind

Expressionist Techniques

Staging and Visual Elements

• Expressionist plays often employ a subjective perspective, presenting the world as distorted or exaggerated to reflect the inner state of the characters
• Sets, lighting, and costumes are often distorted or abstract to create a sense of emotional intensity and psychological depth (exaggerated angles, harsh shadows, bold colors)
• Visual elements are used symbolically to convey inner states or themes (a set of towering skyscrapers to represent the oppressive nature of modern urban life)

Performance Style and Language

• Actors in expressionist plays often use exaggerated, stylized movements and vocal delivery to convey emotional intensity
• Language may be poetic, fragmented, or non-realistic to reflect the inner turmoil of the characters or the breakdown of communication in modern society
• Monologues and soliloquies are common, allowing characters to directly express their inner thoughts and feelings to the audience

Notable Expressionist Plays

August Strindberg's A Dream Play

• A Dream Play (1901) is a key early example of expressionist theater, presenting a series of loosely connected scenes that follow the logic of a dream
• The central character, Agnes, is the daughter of the Vedic god Indra, who descends to Earth to experience human suffering
• The play uses symbolic characters (The Officer, The Lawyer, The Poet) and surreal, nightmarish imagery to explore the human condition and the illusory nature of existence

Elmer Rice's The Adding Machine

• The Adding Machine (1923) is a critique of the dehumanizing effects of modern industrialization and the mechanization of human life
• The protagonist, Mr. Zero, is an accountant who is replaced by an adding machine after 25 years of service, leading him to murder his boss
• The play uses expressionistic techniques, such as non-realistic sets, stylized dialogue, and allegorical characters (Mr. One, Mrs. Two), to convey its themes of alienation and the loss of individuality in modern society