Theatre, Ecocritically

Although we rarely think about it, theatre is deeply entrenched in its environment. Most theatre requires a stage, lighting, sound, and numerous other intricate factors to create an effective production. Even more so, however, theatre needs to create a believable environment. Theatre attempts to recreate real situations, real places, and real environments; that's essentially why we are so drawn to it.

Ecocritically, this recreation of natural environments could be considered both positive and negative. If nature is perceived as complete and divine, and that theatre is our attempt at revitalizing a depleting natural world, the environmental aspect of theatre could be seen as positive. However, if "nature" on the stage is unrealistic, seemingly perfect, or overly dramatized, theatre may only serve to exacerbate our negative interpretations of the world we live in.

Two writers explaining the new relationship
between theatre and social media

But what if theatre existed without an environment all together? In fact, some theatre-makers are writing and designing for solely "digital" purposes, without a stage or direct platform of performance. Celebrities, performers, and high-ranking officials alike are nowadays establishing their social media presence as an economic necessity, and performance on social media is highly important. These performers lack a direct environment, and instead rely on "the cloud" to carry their message. How does this indirect means of performance jeopardize—or perhaps save—our views of the environment?

I have always adored the closeness that the stage brings. Whenever I see a performance, I almost feel pulled into the scene, as if I am there, in that environment. Staging, props, and lighting are so crucial to a production because they create that environment that an audience member so desperately craves. Without the stage, and without the direct environment that the stage creates, I'm not sure if theatre can live to its full potential.