Post #11

        I definitely think that a feeling for the uncanny is a valuable sensibility for an artist to develop. It’s important for artists to be aware of what “the uncanny” does to an audience. Personally, I enjoy when something onstage bothers me a little bit, and I like to analyze why. In Frankenstein when the creature came to life I was both nervous and a little uncomfortable, because of how well the actor portrayed the monster. The entire time he was onstage I was one hundred percent zoned in to his actions, because I was slightly nervous about his unpredictable nature. The monster is a purposeful use of "the uncanny" because it has the audience wondering about the creature and what he is capable of. It is unsettling seeing this thing onstage that suggests humanity, but isn't a naturalistic human form. I think “the uncanny” can be used as a tool to help audiences really tune in to the action onstage. When people are completely comfortable with what they are watching, it gets easier to tune out. If the material of what is being watched is strange, off the beaten path or “uncanny” than oftentimes audiences are more engaged, and want to keep the conversation going after they leave the show. Like the robots we studied in class, despite the fact that we may feel uncomfortable looking at them, there is also a part of us that is intrigued by something that is eerie and out of the norm. 

Post #10

        I think that keeping issues addressed through theatre relevant is what will primarily help to initiate change. One of the reasons people are often cynical about a performance they see is because they don’t understand it’s reasoning. If a piece of art seems completely random, an audience will not connect to it. There has to by a WHY in every performance so that individuals can understand why the director wanted to share the piece in the first place. Plays are constantly being written and produced, and I think continuing to put relevant themes within pieces of dramatic text is a way to make sure that it will continue to change people.

I don’t think it is a matter of theatre definitely being the answer or not, but a matter of using it as a vehicle for change no matter what tragic events may occur. There are many ways to invoke a change from working to alter legislation to gaining support from the people, but I think theatre will always be a way to appeal to the crowd of people that look for solace in the arts. I personally do not think it will ever be the answer on its own, but I don’t every think it will become something that is completely obscure because all individuals crave human connections with other individuals on a basic level. That is why theatre makes people listen, because it is direct person-to-person contact rather than a medium such as television that relegates these connections to technology.