Assignment: 6.3 Assignment- Theatre Around the World

Oklahoma High School- Drama/Theatre Course (OK Art Tech)
2025-03-06T14:26:28Z

Due:

Global Theatre

Introduction

Although you may have attended a play or a musical in the past, you may be less familiar with the different forms of theatre in other parts of the world. On this page, you will explore four types of theatre around the globe: Kabuki from Japan, Cirque du Soleil acrobats from Canada, Kathakali from India, and Sarsuwela from the Philippines. After you read and watch the following examples, you will be asked to answer questions about theatre around the world.

Theatre Around the World

Click on each tab below to learn more about each type of theatre.

Kabuki

Cirque du Soleil

Kathakali

Sarsuwela

Kabuki (kuh-BOO-kee) is a traditional form of Japanese theatre that developed in the 1600s. In its beginnings, Kabuki theatre included day-long plays often performed during teas and lunches. Today, this form of theatre is performed by men playing all roles and is still largely popular in modern-day Japan. Kabuki is characterized by dramatic song and makeup, elaborate set design and costumes, and dance elements. Watch the clip below to see an example of Kabuki theatre.

Video: Kabuki on Stage: A Solo Performance at Portland Japanese Garden

Portland Japanese Garden. (2017, Oct 11). Kabuki on Stage: A Solo Performance at Portland Japanese Garden. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/jVDUcFOnVKk?feature=shared

Click on the button at the bottom of the video to access the closed captions.

Cirque du Soleil (surk-doo-so lay), French for "Circus of the Sun", is a Canadian-based acrobatic performing company that has productions all over the world. Acrobatic theatre differs from other forms of theatre in that it focuses on gymnastics-based performances rather than singing or acting. Cirque du Soleil performances showcase acrobats performing to music, set design, and other theatrical elements. Watch an example of a Cirque du Soleil performance below:

Video: Cirque du Soleil: Kurios

The Late Late Show with James Corden. (2016, Feb 2). Cirque du Soleil: Kurios. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/x-1-gLv3aWs?feature=shared

Click on the button at the bottom of the video to access the closed captions.

A Hindu performance art from India, Kathakali (ka-thuh-KA-lee), is believed to have started in the 1600s. Kathakali translates to "story play" and can last hours. Kathakali performers often apprentice for up to 20 years because of all the intricacies in movement and facial & hand gestures. Like the forms of theatre previously mentioned, Kathakali also uses dramatic makeup and costumes, music, and symbolism to communicate to the audience. Watch the video below to see a Kathakali performer apply traditional makeup and perform for an audience.

Video: Kathakali Dance - Indian Classical Dance of Kerala

Utopia Artworks. (2020, Jul 11). Kathakali Dance - Indian Classical Dance of Kerala. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/GBbcYtkqVKQ?feature=shared

Click on the button at the bottom of the video to access the closed captions.

Sarsuwela (sar-SWEH-lah) is a form of music theatre that was introduced to the Philippines by the Spanish in the late 1800s. Most closely related to plays and musicals from the United States, Sarsuwela is unique in that it explores overcoming colonization and discrimination. These revolutionary themes have allowed Sarsuwela to play an integral role in Filipino theatre culture. Watch a few minutes of the Sarsuwela below to see if you can identify these characteristics.

Video:

PALABAS AT PAMANA Mga Hiyas ng Komedya at Sarsuwela

ChickBoyTV. (2023, Nov 9). PALABAS AT PAMANA Mga Hiyas ng Komedya at Sarsuwela. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/ODdn05vsYeA?feature=shared

Click on the button at the bottom of the video to access the closed captions.

Assignment

Use the information and videos above to respond to the prompts below:

Prompts

1. Identify the type of theater you found the most interesting (Kabuki, Cirque du Soleil, Kathakali, Sarsuwela). Briefly describe why.

2. Based on your experience, name one similarity of your chosen form of theater to plays/musicals from the United States.

3. Based on your experience, name one difference between your chosen form of theater and plays/musicals from the United States.

Type your answers in the text entry box provided in this assignment or a program on your device. If you type your answers in a program other than Canvas, upload and submit them for this assignment.

How to submit

1. Review the rubric for this assignment.

2. Scroll down to Choose a Submission Type.

3. Use Text Entry to complete your work.

4. Click Submit Assignment.

Click the Next button in the lower right to move forward in the module.

Global Theatre

Introduction

Although you may have attended a play or a musical in the past, you may be less familiar with the different forms of theatre in other parts of the world. On this page, you will explore four types of theatre around the globe: Kabuki from Japan, Cirque du Soleil acrobats from Canada, Kathakali from India, and Sarsuwela from the Philippines. After you read and watch the following examples, you will be asked to answer questions about theatre around the world.

Theatre Around the World

Click on each tab below to learn more about each type of theatre.

Kabuki

Cirque du Soleil

Kathakali

Sarsuwela

Kabuki (kuh-BOO-kee) is a traditional form of Japanese theatre that developed in the 1600s. In its beginnings, Kabuki theatre included day-long plays often performed during teas and lunches. Today, this form of theatre is performed by men playing all roles and is still largely popular in modern-day Japan. Kabuki is characterized by dramatic song and makeup, elaborate set design and costumes, and dance elements. Watch the clip below to see an example of Kabuki theatre.

Video: Kabuki on Stage: A Solo Performance at Portland Japanese Garden

Portland Japanese Garden. (2017, Oct 11). Kabuki on Stage: A Solo Performance at Portland Japanese Garden. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/jVDUcFOnVKk?feature=shared

Click on the button at the bottom of the video to access the closed captions.

Cirque du Soleil (surk-doo-so lay), French for "Circus of the Sun", is a Canadian-based acrobatic performing company that has productions all over the world. Acrobatic theatre differs from other forms of theatre in that it focuses on gymnastics-based performances rather than singing or acting. Cirque du Soleil performances showcase acrobats performing to music, set design, and other theatrical elements. Watch an example of a Cirque du Soleil performance below:

Video: Cirque du Soleil: Kurios

The Late Late Show with James Corden. (2016, Feb 2). Cirque du Soleil: Kurios. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/x-1-gLv3aWs?feature=shared

Click on the button at the bottom of the video to access the closed captions.

A Hindu performance art from India, Kathakali (ka-thuh-KA-lee), is believed to have started in the 1600s. Kathakali translates to "story play" and can last hours. Kathakali performers often apprentice for up to 20 years because of all the intricacies in movement and facial & hand gestures. Like the forms of theatre previously mentioned, Kathakali also uses dramatic makeup and costumes, music, and symbolism to communicate to the audience. Watch the video below to see a Kathakali performer apply traditional makeup and perform for an audience.

Video: Kathakali Dance - Indian Classical Dance of Kerala

Utopia Artworks. (2020, Jul 11). Kathakali Dance - Indian Classical Dance of Kerala. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/GBbcYtkqVKQ?feature=shared

Click on the button at the bottom of the video to access the closed captions.

Sarsuwela (sar-SWEH-lah) is a form of music theatre that was introduced to the Philippines by the Spanish in the late 1800s. Most closely related to plays and musicals from the United States, Sarsuwela is unique in that it explores overcoming colonization and discrimination. These revolutionary themes have allowed Sarsuwela to play an integral role in Filipino theatre culture. Watch a few minutes of the Sarsuwela below to see if you can identify these characteristics.

Video:

PALABAS AT PAMANA Mga Hiyas ng Komedya at Sarsuwela

ChickBoyTV. (2023, Nov 9). PALABAS AT PAMANA Mga Hiyas ng Komedya at Sarsuwela. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/ODdn05vsYeA?feature=shared

Click on the button at the bottom of the video to access the closed captions.

Assignment

Use the information and videos above to respond to the prompts below:

Prompts

1. Identify the type of theater you found the most interesting (Kabuki, Cirque du Soleil, Kathakali, Sarsuwela). Briefly describe why.

2. Based on your experience, name one similarity of your chosen form of theater to plays/musicals from the United States.

3. Based on your experience, name one difference between your chosen form of theater and plays/musicals from the United States.

Type your answers in the text entry box provided in this assignment or a program on your device. If you type your answers in a program other than Canvas, upload and submit them for this assignment.

How to submit

1. Review the rubric for this assignment.

2. Scroll down to Choose a Submission Type.

3. Use Text Entry to complete your work.

4. Click Submit Assignment.