Welcome to Crash Course Theater! Are you in drama club? Want to know about the history of theater? Maybe learn some theater history? Have a lot of fun? This is the series for you! We learn about the history and workings of the dramatic arts, together.
Episodes
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Episode 31, Season 1
Zola, France, Realism, and Naturalism19th century playwrights remade the French theater – first with Realism, then Naturalism.12:06 -
Episode 30, Season 1
Race Melodrama and Minstrel Shows19th century racism contributed to a unique and troubling performance culture in America.13:04 -
Episode 29, Season 1
North America Gets a Theater...RiotHow did American theater develop after the Revolutionary War?12:07 -
Episode 9, Season 1
Hrotsvitha, Hildegard, and the Nun who Resurrected TheaterMeet Hrotsvitha: a cool, 10th century nun/playwright who influenced a new era of theater.11:01 -
Episode 28, Season 1
The Rise of MelodramaIn the 18th century, audiences were ready for some really, really dramatic theater.11:34 -
Episode 27, Season 1
Why So Angry, German Theater?After Germany was unified, we got Sturm, Drang, Weimar Classicism and Goethe.11:09 -
Episode 25, Season 1
China, Zaju, and Beijing OperaLet's discuss wizard theater and the rise of classical Chinese theater and Beijing Opera.10:51 -
Episode 26, Season 1
England's Sentimental TheaterEnglish Sentimental Comedies weren't that funny, but they were definitely sentimental.11:37 -
Episode 24, Season 1
All Night Demon Dance Party - KathakaliLearn about the all-night dance shows in India that culminate in killing a Demon.10:13 -
Episode 23, Season 1
Japan, Kabuki, and BunrakuUnder the Shoguns, we get Kabuki and Bunraku. And Samurais get in trouble for watching it.11:51 -
Episode 21, Season 1
Molière - Man of Satire and Many BurialsMeet Renaissance France's theater greatest playwright: Molière.11:11 -
Episode 20, Season 1
Rules, Rule-Breaking, and French NeoclassicismThe French Neoclassical revival involved a lot of rules – and some rule-breaking.12:40 -
Episode 22, Season 1
Pre-Columbian Theater, Spanish Empire, and Sor JuanaAmerican theater existed before Europeans arrived, and the Spanish greatly influenced it.11:06 -
Episode 19, Season 1
The Spanish Golden AgeSpain was having kind of a moment in the 16th and 17th centuries.10:40 -
Episode 15, Season 1
Shakespeare's Tragedies and an Acting LessonShakespeare's tragedies had some jokes, and they changed the way tragedies were written.11:29 -
Episode 18, Season 1
Where Did Theater Go?In the 1600s, English theater had to go into hiding, from PURITANS. Enter: WOMEN.12:54 -
Episode 16, Season 1
Comedies, Romances, and Shakespeare's HeroinesLet's take a look at Shakespeare's comedies, romances, problem plays and heroines.10:46 -
Episode 13, Season 1
The English Renaissance and NOT ShakespeareLet's take a look at London theater and the playwrights who set the stage for Shakespeare.12:17 -
Episode 14, Season 1
Straight Outta Stratford-Upon-Avon – Shakespeare's Early DayHow a young Shakespeare stormed into London's theater – and wrote some pretty good plays.10:52 -
Episode 12, Season 1
Pee Jokes, the Italian Renaissance, Commedia Dell'ArtePainting, music, architecture, and plays with fart jokes were all thriving from 1300-1500.10:43 -
Episode 10, Season 1
Get Outside and Have a (Mystery) PlayAfter European churches changed their minds on theater, drama became an outdoor activity.11:10 -
Episode 17, Season 1
English Theater After ShakespeareThanks, Shakespeare! Let's talk about Ben Jonson, revenge tragedies, and court masques.11:50 -
Episode 8, Season 1
The Death and Resurrection of Theater as... Liturgical DramaAs Christianity rose in the west, theater declined. But it returned – via Catholic Mass!11:59 -
Episode 7, Season 1
Nostrils, Harmony with the Universe, and Ancient Sanskrit ThThanks to Bharata Muni, we can tell you quite a bit about Ancient Sanskrit theater.12:02 -
Episode 11, Season 1
Just Say Noh. But Also Say KyogenNoh, and its counterpart Kyogen are some of the most revered theater forms in Japan.12:20 -
Episode 6, Season 1
Roman Theater with Plautus, Terence, and SenecaRoman dramas lifted stories and characters directly from Greek dramatists like Menander.11:28 -
Episode 5, Season 1
Dances to Flute Music and Obscene Verse. It's Roman Theater,Turns out, Roman theater looks A LOT like Greek theater.11:52 -
Episode 4, Season 1
Greek Comedy, Satyrs, and AristophanesHow did Greek comedy evolve out of tragedies? And how did that become real comedy?11:02 -
Episode 3, Season 1
Tragedy Lessons from AristotleLet's look at Aristotle's rules for theater, and how they can be used for catharsis.11:55 -
Episode 1, Season 1
What Is Theater?1.What is theater? And 2. Is it spelled -re or -er? The first question is a bit trickier.13:35 -
Episode 2, Season 1
Thespis, Athens, and The Origins of Greek DramaWestern theater arose in Athens, Greece from religious rituals – including RITUAL MADNESS.9:52