Philippine-based

Theatrical Art Forms

Theater arts is a collaborative form of art where live performers act on stage
before a group of audience in a specific place carrying out a story. Live
performances like theater plays demand the expertise and collaboration of each
member in the production team as well as the cast to produce a high-quality
performance. One of the best examples of theater plays is Miss Saigon, where Lea
Salonga was selected to play the lead role as Kim.

Theatrical Forms

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It is a dramatic play portraying the struggle of a strong-willed protagonist
against fate, as predestined by mysterious, divine, social, or psychological
forces, culminating in disaster and usually caused by a flaw in the protagonist’s
character.

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It is a dramatic play of light and humorous character, typically with a cheerful
and happy ending.

C. Drama
It is a play that is “for real”. The characters represent realistic and everyday
people.

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It is a dramatic composition characterized by extravagant theatricality and
the dominance of plot and physical action over characterization.

The Elements of Art as Applied to an Original Performance

1. Sound and Music. These two elements set for the audience different
moods and emotions. Through the use of different sounds, they provide
different effects to the play that heighten the emotions of the characters and
the audience. The sound effects also make the play more realistic and
exciting. The use of sound and music in a play entails the incorporation of
sound recording and editing techniques using applications for computers,
tablets and Android phones.
 2. Gesture, Movement, and Dance. These are bodily movements or actions
that usually express emotions, character, and narrative actions with
accompanying sound or music. Every single gesture, movement or dance
step conveys a meaning or message.

3. Costume, Mask, Makeup, and Accessories. These comprise the visual

effects, of which the main function is to enhance visibility and aesthetic
value. They help make the character appear realistic according to the role
he/she portrays.

4. Spectacle. This is something exhibited for view as something unusual,

notable, or entertaining, especially an eye-catching or dramatic public
display which may be regarded as impressive and breathtaking and on stage
if visual, lighting, sound, music, costumes, dance, and special effects are
properly manifested in a play.

Examples of Philippine Plays

 Sarswela
It is a type of melodrama in three acts where pieces are both spoken and
sung. Aside from being a significant part of the Philippine history, it was also
employed as a tool to fight against colonization.

 Epic Poetry
Dating back to the pre-colonial period and commonly presented during
festivals and gatherings, it is considered by scholars to be the highest point
of Filipino folk literature. The usual topics are romance and adventure.

• Duplo
It is a poetic debate presented through song and dance originating from
indigenous courtship customs. In this type of play, poets use proverbs and
riddles to present their suit to the woman of their choice.

• Moro Moro
It is one of the most popular types of theater that and depicts the conflicts
between the Moros and the Christians. Themes like love, and vengeance,
and religion predominate.

• Senakulo
It is also known as Passion play. This dramatization of the life and death of
Jesus Christ has been a part of the lives of the Catholics and is celebrated
during Holy Week.
 • Traditional Folkdance
It is one of the oldest forms of theater and thus an important part of our
heritage today. These are dances that reflect the lives of the people in a
certain place or region and describe their culture and origin.
• Bodabil
It is Vaudeville of American origin that became uniquely Filipino with the
localization of the name, Bodabil. It is a variety show consisting of musical
numbers and comedic and dramatic skits with songs and dances. It was
popularized by Filipino artists like Dolphy, Anita Linda, and Atang dela Rama.

ELEMENTS HOW THESE ELEMENTS

AFFECT THEATRICAL PLAY
These elements help set the mood of the
Sound and Music play. They add suspense and capture the
heart of the viewers. Adding appropriate
sound and music to the play will make it
more meaningful and impactful such that it
will be remembered by the viewers.

These elements help in communicating the

Gesture, message to the viewers through the use of
Movement, and proper movement, gesture and dance. The
Dance role of the artist can be easily recognized
through these elements.
These elements contribute to the
Costume, Mask, characterization of each performer. They
Makeup and add realism to the play and make the
Accessories artists convincing in their roles. It is also
one way of showcasing the local culture or
the culture found in the world of the play.
This element helps in making the play more
visually pleasing. This element is also
Spectacle useful in letting the audience have a more
defined sensory experience.

These elements of art are indispensable factors that affect the overall impact
of a play. Aside from these elements, there are also principles of arts that an artist
needs to consider in order to come up with a captivating play that is worth
watching. These principles will be elaborated on as you go through this module.
Principles of Art as Applied to an Original Performance

1. Rhythm, Movement. This principle guides the directors and other production
staff of the play on the proper use of music and movement. These elements
should contribute in setting the mood and tone of the play and the scenes.

2. Balance. This principle guides the director on how to achieve the proper
balance and composition in terms of stage blockings, props, backdrops,
costume and set design/set pieces. This will also guide the production staff in
setting the right perspective of the play.

3. Emphasis. This principle guides the director on which part of the play should
be emphasized This will help in communicating to the audience the theme of
the play.

4. Harmony, Unity and Variety. These principles guide the director on how to
put the elements of arts like set design, costumes, spectacle, etc. in
harmony. These elements should complement each other and also have
variation to create a spectacular visual impact on the play.

5. Proportion. This principle guides the director as to how to make the

play more realistic or stylized through proper use of space, height, width
and sizes of the elements or materials to be used in the play.