This week please write a freestyle blog on Hip-hop Theater. Based on your experience in American theater, how do you think Hip-hop is changing the content of what we see in American theater and how theater is presented? How is Hip-hop shaping new theater audiences?
When most people think of theater, we don’t always associate it with hip-hop. However, it is true that the theme of hip-hop is becoming increasingly popular in theater, even in mainstream theater. Like most other hip-hop related activities that we’ve covered in class, hip-hop theater has a few key components that make it what it is. Theater is traditionally seen as “high brow”, formal, and even a little old fashioned. But as we discussed in lecture on 11/8 hip-hop theater can be represented as being “exciting, young, urban, accessible, and current”. We also see the call and response as a very important characteristic in hip-hop theater, as well as breaks in the narrative, references of African Diaspora and even social justice. All of these characteristics make hip-hop theater interesting, and to be interesting it has to reach a certain audience and in this case the audience is young and old, people from different walks of life can appreciate this form of theater that imitates very recent events in our history. Also there is a very physical aspect to hip-hop theater, in the performance, no longer are the main characters prim and proper, but instead they are real people who physically look like what they are meant to represent, this means racial and ethnic diversity, language and culture. An interesting and very poignant way of describing hip-hop theater is, “It’s ascriptive, voluntary, and utilized by self-described hip-hop generation that speaks through theatre, we are found in translation”. (Chang, p.72).
ReplyDeleteHip-hop theater seems to be trying to recapture, in a different form, the complexity that sampling brings to other elements of hip-hop. As theater, this adaptation of Hip-hop styles recognizes and develops the power of performance and of words. Actor Joe Hernandez-Kolski believes that “we manifest the world in which we live by the words that we send out,” (Hernandez-Kolski “You Wanna Piece of Me”) and echoes the idea that “we SPEAK things into existence…We heal with our art. We uplift and enlighten with our art” (Chang, “From the Dope Spot to Broadway”). Hip-hop theater attempts to express complexity and difference at once, along with a product that is at once “articulate, coded, transcendent, revolutionary, communicative, [and] empowering” (Danny Hoch, “A Hip-Hop Manifesto”). By definition, then, a hip-hop theater tradition is a complex practice and seeks at times to hold “a single moment and its emotion up to the light, and in the rhythm, the trance of that, the plight and joy of a people can be felt” (Davis, “Found In Translation”). Hip-hop theater tells stories not traditionally represented on the stage. Its stories are complex and polycultural, and it attempts to represent multiplicity as a comprehensible whole, rather than as an experience of mere fragmentation and loss.
ReplyDeleteAs we discussed in lecture, there are stereotypes about theater that are keeping some people from joining the audience. Sure there are some people who still wouldn’t go no matter what is done to upgrade the theater scene. However, as hip hop has been adding new life to the music scene it is also producing new genera of theater art. To see a fusion of the art of hip hop and theater coming together is a very interesting new idea to see taking place. Hip-hop theater doesn’t usually take just one of the four fundamental aspects but uses them all live, on stage, and in front of a crowd to express their messages and ideas. One thing that could improve is the way information about these shows gets out to the public. I’m not a part of the theater scene but would love to see a play. I just don’t know where and when to go.
ReplyDeleteThe influence of hip hop in performance art is not limited to the theater alone. When I walk down the 16th Street mall of Denver I see many performers, young and old. Their eclectic style allows people of all walks of life to appreciate their talents. My personal favorite (whom I have encountered many times) is an older gentleman who plays the trumpet on the streets for cash. He plays anything from old jazz to old school and modern hip hop. Throughout the many years that I have seen him perform he gathers crowds of all back rounds: the young hipsters that hang out down town and the older couple out for some romance, and me (somewhere in between.) Recently I visited New Orleans and had the pleasure of watching two young boys tap dance on the street, showcasing their talent for tips. It was interesting observing them as they incorporated both technical tap moves and also breaking moves into their performance: the old with the new. I believe that hip hop is changing performance by giving it both the credibility and opportunity to be raw, to step out of boundaries and not always be politically correct or in fear of offending people. Some of the best shows that I have seen have been from performers that are not performing for their audience, but doing it for themselves, for their own voice, a few years ago I was fortunate enough to catch an Afro Man concert and it was so refreshing to see him interact with his audience and band members. He was not “reaching out” or begging the crowd for attention or acceptance; the natural effervescence and ease of his flow showed confidence and true passion for his own performance.
ReplyDeleteHip hop is definitely taking a new direction on American Theatre and how we see it today. Hip hop, unlike traditional American theatre, attempts to break the fourth wall between performers and the audience. They want to get the audience involved with what is happening on stage and to do this they use the “call and response” technique. “The performers call to the audience and expect the audience to respond back,” (Lecture 11/9). Hip hop theatre incorporates rhythms and freestyles instead of typical non-rhyming scripted verses. It is a new way on how the content is presented. “Addressing social, cultural, economic, and political states of consciousness of African Americans in the United States,” (Lecture 11/9). This new style of storytelling is how most of the material is “presented to the audience through this use of rhyme schemes.” (Youtube) Solo or choreographed breaking is the style of performing which is not typically seen in American Theatre. For the music itself, instead of a traditional orchestra there can be a DJ playing records.
ReplyDeleteAs we have seen throughout the course of the semester hip-hop has become more and more influential to things such as theater, fine art, graffiti, film, and the media. Most people would comfortably associate hip-hop with graffiti, film, and most times the media as a whole. Most individuals wouldn’t consider theater hip-hop influenced, I think that part of the reason is because this generation is more concerned with other things besides theater. On Monday we discussed some of the negative stereotypes associated with theater like how it is not exciting enough, or how it lacks a captivating audience. I believe that some of these negative stereotypes are the reason that our generation does not associate themselves with theater, therefore not knowing that a hip-hop theater scene even exists. I feel as though if the theaters could some how rid themselves of the negative stereotypes then they could begin to introduce audiences to more entertaining theater such as hip-hop. With hip-hop emerging in the theater scene, I believe it will incorporate a younger more hip audience. This can be beneficial to the viewers who thought that theater lacked excitement, as well as for the theater owners who are looking to draw in a crowd.
ReplyDeleteThe only American Theater I have encountered was in grade school and high school. In grade school the few times we took field trips to the theater I did not give theater a chance because as a child the chances I would enjoy it were very low because my attention span was probably not fit for theater. In high school things changed, I did drama club for two years only because the productions were something I was interested in. Although some of the stereotypes discussed in class could work with American not all are true to some. I see, from examples and class Monday, that hip-hop theater does seem to kind of lively up theater. One example I can think of to compare traditional American and Hip-hop theater, is mass between a traditional American church and a African American church. In a traditional white Christian church I kinda feel as a boring mass, while with a black Baptist church I see a regular mass become more lively and energetic and more enjoyable. I feel like Hip-hop theater has taken the norms of regular theater and made them more lively and enjoyable kind of modernizing it. Due to the fact that I don't know much of theater, much of my assumptions could be wrong.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of American Theater my first impression would be from what I've been reading in my American Drama class. From what I've read so far I've not encountered any hip hop related plays. But from the of video clips that we watched in class and some other video listings you had us watch. I can see that with the spread of hip hop in American Theater helps include all diverse group of people. The theater is no longer for the upper class recreation but it can be enjoyed by all classes, and that's what hip hop have given to the people. Not only is the typical American Theater separate the type class but even in the typical American Theater plays aren't really diverse and it can't relate to the common everyday people. But Hip hop can relate to many people, upper class and lower class and different races.
ReplyDeleteThough I've only seen one hip hop theater related play the remake of Carmen. Though it was really a flop the idea of using a sophisticated opera and interpreting it into our modern day time and even changing the language so that a wider range of audience can watch and understand. I think that hip hop in theater is a great idea because every one can enjoy it and the spread of polyculturism. I feel that hip hop is going to break the stereotypes of how the boring the plays are and how only a certain type of class.
The hip hop movement has affected nearly all of the arts and theatre is no different. With Danny Hock founding the Hip Hop Theatre Festival in 2000, the genre of hip hop on stage became firmly cemented in the performance world. Hip Hop theatre follows the usual aesthetics of other hip hop mediums – the call and response tradition, the invoking of important social and cultural themes, and the transcendence of racial and class lines.
ReplyDeleteHip Hop theatre has also opened the doors to a younger audience, modernizing the old-world, upper-class and formal conventions of theatre into something cheaper, accessible and more socially-relevant. Kamilah Forbes, another founder of the HHTF, observes how excluded from the theatre world she felt and how hip hop changed this outlook: “Hip-hop theatre breaks down the barriers simply because of who is invited, or rather who is not invited…” (Chang, 82). This breaking down of barriers leads to an exchange between cultures that arguably excludes nobody, meaning hip hop theatre is able to operate in the same vein as hip hop music, and bring people together rather than divide them along racial and class lines.
Nevertheless hip hop theatre struggles to find acceptance in the elitist world. Many misconstrue the form as a revamping of old plays such as Shakespeare. Hoch worries that the moment hip hop theatre crosses over into the majority, it will become elitist and exclusive, lose its authenticity and become a commodity (Chang, 359).
Hip-Hop is changing the content of what we see in American theater greatly. As presented in class, Hip-Hop theater presents aspects of Hip-Hop to audiences of every kind; not just the stereotype of American theater enthusiasts. It allows their audiences to be broad, allowing ranges of people to understand the aspects of Hip-Hop. As discussed in lecture, Hip-Hop Theater can be seen as “exciting, young, urban, accessible, and current” (Lecture). Hip-Hop theater incorporates the call and response aesthetic discussed in traditional Hip-Hop themes. Through the use of Hip-Hop aesthetics, theater can bring younger audiences toward American Theater topics. Hip-Hop is very relatable in society today. As seen in class, Danny Hoch’s monologue of Jails, Hospitals and Hip-Hop reiterated today’s society values of the Hip-Hop culture and presented them in a theatrical manner. Through these presentations of theater, new audiences can relate to them; bringing new audiences to the typical theater audience stereotype. It breaks down the traditional stereotype, challenging old work into new and innovative ideas.
ReplyDeleteWhy not theater? Hip-Hop is nearly everywhere we look and it makes sense that Hip-Hop enters the American Theatrical scene. For the most part, everything Hip-Hop idealizes can be portrayed in theater. Hip-Hop theater takes all aspects of Hip-Hop and collaborates them on stage. Just like graffiti and Hip-Hop fine arts started attracted the upper societal classes, I believe Hip-Hop Theater can do the same. Although Hip-Hop generates billions of dollars and influences millions of people, there are still stereotypes and prejudices regarding the Hip-Hop world and I think Hip-Hop theater is another step at breaking down the negative preconceptions.
ReplyDeleteAs of lately, hip hop is starting to take a bigger toll on theatre. Hip hop artists try to get their audience involved in which ever way they can. Where as theatre incorporates more of the rhymes and free styling that we see more of today. Most people would not consider theatre is influenced by hip hop, this may be because in today’s generation people are not concerned with theatre as much as they are with other things such as electronics, and even the hip hop society. I personally like theatre, and think it is an important part of today’s society. One way in which we can make theatre more popular and be distinguished again is by taking away the negative stereotypes that come along with theater. The fact that hip hop has emerged more so within theater is a good sign that theatre may be on the rise. I enjoy performances and shows, but being in college, I have not been well informed on when shows or performances are being played. One thing I would suggest to get the public more involved is to spread the word.
ReplyDeleteSoulja Boy Ballet:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1whKQBcnLiQ
I love how these kids incorporate hip-hop with their ballet performance and put a elegant twist on the Soulja Boy dance.
Eisa Davis wrote that hip hop theatre “infuses theatre with our bright, fresh blood.” (Chang 71) Mainstream theatre is typically viewed as boring, older, high class and old fashioned; while hip hop can bring on a newer outlook to this image. It completely disrupts the mainstream. Hip hop theatre is seen as exciting, younger, affordable and accessible, and current. (Lecture 8 November 2010) Hip hop adds to the old view of the theatre by broadening the audience and performances. It influenced the ways that people perform by asking people to think of roles as beyond just a performance, stepping over the boundaries of identity by sampling from other races and ethnicities (Lecture 8 November 2010). This sampling is just one the historical factors of Hip hop that can be taken over into this theatre performance type. Braggadocio, call-and-response, language of hip hop especially spoken poetry, and diversity of ethnic and racial groups seen in hip hop’s history are transferred over into hip hop theatre (Lecture 8 November 2010). Elements of hip hop and African American history that have passed on to the theatre have changed its view to a more open and socially aware experience. With this change, it no longer discriminates based on cultural, social, economic, or political factors. It, in fact, addresses these issues to shed light on groups of oppressed people by suggesting practices to find social justice (Lecture 8 November 2010). Hip hop has brought on a positive image to the American Theatre.
ReplyDeleteNot having much exposure to hip hop theatre at all, it is hard for me to initially describe what it could be. However, after our lecture on Monday, I know see that hip-hop theatre is trying to break away from the social norms associated with theatre. We made a list in class of all the things we thought were associated with theatre; formal attire, highbrow society, expensive tickets, etc. Then on the other side we see how hip hop is trying to take down some of these theatre stigmas by making it accessible to everyone by lowering prices, and not having things like a dress code or strict rules to follow while seeing their performances. In many ways, this is a reflection of hip-hop in general. Hip-hop has always been breaking down social norms, and now with theatre, hip-hop as a genre is expanding into all sorts of medias. When we looked at the video of the Tony performance of “In The Heights”, it is easy to see how smooth the transition from studios to the stage can be for hip hop, and the theatre performances can still capture the essence of hip-hop by incorporating the urban feel and good beats and clever lyrics.
ReplyDeleteHip-hop is not typically thought of as being an element in theater. Most of the time, when someone thinks about theater, they think of the works of Shakespeare or the latest Broadway musical. Lately though, Hip-hop has been challenging that “norm” by entering into the theater world. There are many shows that are put on in a Hip-hop setting, or language. Shows such as “Romeo and Juliet” are rewritten to have a Hip-hop language. These types of shows draw in a whole new audience to theater, and broaden its scope. Hip-hop is encouraging new audiences to participate in supporting theater. Hip-hop in theater draws in a less typical theater crowd and does more to motivate the Hip-hop audience to become a theater audience as well. Both Hip-hop and theater are performing arts, and there is no reason as to why they shouldn’t be mixed together more. Using them within one another adds a whole new element to each, which also keeps them fresh and entertaining.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Merriam-Webster dictionary the definition of the word theater is “entertainment in the form of a dramatic or diverting situation or series of events”. The definition holds true even when hip-hop is involved in the musical or theatrical performance. Hip-hop in theater doesn't have the prestige as other typical theatrical performances, but it is gaining ground for its affluence in today’s pop culture. Eisa Davis points outs that hip-hop theater could be traced back to the 60’s and 70’s with Amiri Baraka’s Dutchman, The Last Poets, and Ntozake Shange (Chang 71). Some also might say hip-hop songs are also becoming more and more theatrical performances, take for example Kanye West’s 30 minute video of his song Runaway and other artists music videos. Another good example of theatrical performances in pop culture is the VMA’s which is an awards concert of today’s pop culture hits that range from Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Eminem and Rihanna. Hip-hop allows people to be even more creative in how they perform in a play because by using hip-hop in a theatrical sense, you don't have to follow as many rules as you do compared to more traditional theatrical performances.
ReplyDeleteThe thought of going to a theater production is definitely not something on my list of things that I would enjoy doing. However, after watching some of the videos on hip-hop theater productions my mindset on American theater has begun to change. When I think of American theater I immediately think of attending the Kansas City Nutcracker, an experience I hated. I have never been into theater productions but after spending some time seeing hip-hop’s influence in American my eyes have been opened. Hip-hop, as we have learned throughout the semester, is forcing its way into American’s everyday life. As we discussed in class, some stereotypes about American theater include boring, formal, expensive, old-fashioned, not enough action; however, hip-hop theater is quite the opposite (Lecture 11 November 2010). I believe Eisa Davis sums up hip-hop theater saying, “There’s an intergenerational dialogue that’s going on with hip-hop theatre, too. Sometimes it’s a screaming match, sometimes it’s a passing of the torch, sometimes it’s an active collaboration. But it’s dialogue that is entirely welcome, and it has to do with the conscious relationship that hip-hop has always had to the past” (Chang 73). Hip-hop has made its mark in history and from the looks of its impact, it is here to stay.
ReplyDeleteFrom the perspective of both an audience and an actor, I think that adding Hip Hop on stage brings a lot more intimacy and understanding for a general audience because Hip Hop nowadays has seeped into large amount of people’s daily lives. When Joe Hernandez-Kolski talks about his performance piece Wanna Piece of Me?, he says, “… This is definitely the most intimate work that I’ve ever performed on a stage. Really the goal of my show is, I believe that to reach the largest audience, find the most intimate truth.” (Joe Hernandez Kowalski. “You Wanna Piece of Me?” Hip-Hop Solo Show EPK). But just like Hip Hop, that also sort of presents a contradiction. Inherently in a performance piece, you have to “lie” to the audience to a certain extent; you want the audience to laugh with you; empathize with you; or even be angry at you. So a performer will do whatever they in a piece, so that they hit that particular stress point in an audience and receive a particular result. But then again, that depends on the actor’s process and how much they want to bear their soul on stage. So for a performer like Hernandez-Kolski, his show is really effective because he is willing to bring out the intimacies of his life to connect to a greater audience, and he uses several mediums and samples to get that message across.
ReplyDeleteSarah Jones is also a very successful in her poem Your Revolution, because she literally implements samples and caricatures to tackle stereotypes, ranging from Jamaican impressions and references to hip hop icons like The Fugees, De La Soul, and Gil Scott-Heron. I thought that the performance and poetry itself was really clever in its timing of samples, references and just the wit of the poem itself. There are poets who try to invoke social change and awareness within people by telling them their personal, deep stories, but some people want to her a more light hearted but serious poem that is a little more accessible.
(Blog for last week)
ReplyDeleteAs stated in lecture, in the late 1970’s when graffiti artists shifted from painting urban spaces to canvas, gallery owners and museum curators began to notice and this is the beginning of when hip-hop art became fine art (Lecture 11/1/2010). I think that hip-hop fine art bridges the gap between urban and street by taking the same ideas that graffiti portrays but displaying them in such a way that they can be interpreted by audiences other than those who are already associated with hip-hop. Something that I find particularly interesting however is that even though this art, such as works by Kehinde Willey and Banksy is portraying an aesthetic which developed among lower class, poverty stricken areas, the people represented usually cannot afford the artwork or for that matter even see it in gallery spaces (Lecture 11/1/2010). Another thing that fine art in hip-hop does is allows the artist’s message to be accepted by a wider audience. For example, when speaking of her work, Jackie Salloum stated that, I found when you put overtly political messages within things people are familiar with and comfortable with, it becomes more accessible (Change, 143). I like this idea because I believe that is shows how art can in a way bring people together because it uses a common thread to show ideas to people that they may not have been exposed to in other ways.
As with any element seen thus far in the Hip-hop culture; Hip-hop theater and performance take the conventional attributes normally associated with theater such as, being highbrow, formal, geared towards an older crowd etc. and becomes the polar opposite of those conventions. There are many elements of hip-hop easily seen in these modern day performance pieces, for example Joe Hernandez Kowalski opens up a dialogue about what is “cool” and “not cool” with his audience using the call and response techniques in order to make the viewers part of the performance. In Sarah Jones’ performance she acknowledges the fact that the Hip-hop style is different than conventional theatre from the get go by stating, “You know how we do it in the Hip-hop generation y’all, this is the remix.” It is interesting to notice that while Sarah Jones’ entire piece is Hip-hop oriented in nature through the use of slang terms and references to well-known songs and artists, it is quite obvious that she has based the entire performance on the perspective of women. Eisa Davis discerns that, “There’s an intergenerational dialogue that’s going on with hip-hop theater…it’s a dialogue that is entirely welcome, and it has to do with the conscious relationship that hip-hop has always had to the past” (Chang 73). She elaborates on the fact that the idea of sampling is not just present in Hip-hop music but is a widely used theatrical tool as well. Like it or not, it is clear that Hip-hop theater is increasing in popularity and will continue to do so because of the ways in which it integrates Hip-hop aesthetics with social, political and cultural commentary.
ReplyDeleteIn my experience with American theater I generally don’t associate hip-hop with my understanding of the arts. However, over the past decade I have begun to notice that hip-hop has been on the rise in American theater. More and more hip-hop films have been released into the mainstream, some of which gain a lot of attention in today’s society. The main theater production that comes to mind that associates hip-hop with its performance is the Broadway “Rent”. This particular production is similar to many of the things we’ve discussed about hip-hop. For example, the story of “Rent” centers on a group of young artists and musicians that are struggling to survive in New York. Like many hip-hop artists, the characters in this performance have had to go through many hardships to get to achieve their ideal goals. I think that the contribution that hip-hop can give to the theater will provide the audience with a different twist to the art. Hip-hop has opened doors for many talented individuals that are lower-class to have a chance to perform and get their name out there. Generally I would associate theater with the upper-class Americans, but throughout the course of our class I have realized how many ways hip-hop is incorporating itself into mainstream America.
ReplyDeleteI think an excellent example of hip-hop in theater is Kanye West's "film" "Runaway". Although it is not a theater piece it is dramatic like theater is, and features ballet and other "high-brow" performance pieces that hip-hop tries to differentiate itself from. The film shows how hip-hop uses the music which is popular with the youth to bring them to finer art forms such as ballet and theater that are maybe not as popular.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7W0DMAx8FY
Eisa Davis’ piece Found In Translation argues that “edutainment” of the type that is called hip-hop theater concludes that “The hip-hop stance is not a lifestyle, it’s a thinking style, and if you try to define it, those brain waves will run away from you and set up shop on another corner (Chang 72).” While the article From the Dope Spot to Broadway suggests that “So What Happens Now?” a performance from 1992 by GhettOriginal Production Dance Company is the first instance of hip-hop theater, this is different than Davis’ supposition that Amiri Baraka’s Dutman is in fact the first hip-hop theater performance, Danny Hoch transcends both of these pieces as he more concretely defines the specific elements that create a hip-hop aesthetic, such as inheritance, reclaiming, fusion, phenomena, and then explains how these elements contradict to form a “diverse and eclectic (Chang 356)” aesthetic. What each of these authors and contributors agree on is that hip-hop theater redefines and shapes traditional theater and hip-hop sensibilities in new ways of thinking that are not in fact new ways of thinking but rather recycled from the realms of theater and cultural expression into dynamic expressions for traditional theater settings. When performances happen, such as when “U.K.-based artist Benji Reid dances his monologues, it’s new, and it’s the best kind of new-the kind that plays with conventions and serves up their permutations (Chang 73).” At the same time, hip-hop has always been about presentation. Creating art inside of a cipher is in fact comparative to the theater in which Shakespeare’s plays were originally performed. I think hip-hop theater presentations are about balancing form vs. content. The music and dance create a dialogue and elicits emotions from viewers while lyrics appeal to logic and reason. If hop-hop theater is to be successful, it is because general viewership requires the medium to exist and those viewers are willing to pay to see performances.
ReplyDeleteHip-Hop and Theatre???
ReplyDeleteThe two words Hip-Hop and Theatre seem like an oxymoron when paired together. Theatre is so boring and monotone. Hip-hop is lively and full of energy. How so can these two be pair as one topic or subject. As we discussed in lecture, there are many stereotype that have been put in place for theatre that keep many people from attending it, as there are with many things. There are even those people who still wouldn’t go no matter what is done to change or upgrade the theater experience. However, as hip hop has been adding new life to the music scene it is also producing new genera of theater art. Hip-hop allows for theatre to take all of the things that present a negative connotatoin to it, and reverse that to make a positive more inviting appearance to the younger audience. Being abe to see hip hop fuse with theater is a very interesting new idea to see taking place. Hip-hop theater doesn’t usually take just one of the four fundamental aspects of hip-hop, but rather embodies the fundamental ideas of hip-hop and comblines all of them to create Hip-hop theatre. Hip hop theatre is “ascriptive, voluntary, and utilized by self-described hip-hop generation that speaks through theatre, we are found in translation” (Chang, p.72). One thing that could improve is the way information about these shows gets out to the public. Especially, bringing a younger audience in to experience all that Hip-hop theatre has to offer to the public audience.
Hip-hop theater is changing the way people view theater. What was once reserved for older upper class citizens is now more affordable and whose content is directed to the younger, more urban communities. I view Hip-hop Theater as an evolved form of theater that helps bridge the gap between what was and what will eventually be in the future. I think that theater will eventually be more audience directed which is one of the main differences between the original theater and the Hip-hop Theater, with call and response. Another evolved quality of Hip-hop Theater is the polycultural aspect of the shows. Since the world is changing more and more into a polycultural atmosphere, this will occur in many media forms including theater.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Hip-hop Theater is a long awaited change for the better. This type of theater is more interesting, dynamic, and action-filled. Media outlets are always trying to tap into a new audience base, and since the beginning of theater, it has been ignoring the younger and lower class groups. This new form of theater is allowing a shift in audience into a new perspective of what theater is. It changes stereotypes and breaks down barriers. The most important question is, will it lose all of its older audiences with the shift?
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ReplyDeleteIt’s hard to describe in words what hip-hop theater entails. Theater is a visual art and cannot be described as just singing and dancing in front of an audience. It is more of a visual story. It is not a movie, it is not always a musical. After watching clips over hip-hop oriented theater, I feel the best ‘description’ of hip-hop theater comes from within the show In the Heights. The 2008 Tony awards performance shows many different aspects of hip-hop within the singing, dancing, setting, and more. We first hear that the lead role is an immigrant from the Dominican Republic. Viewing the background dancers, you see a variety of ethnicities. There looks to be Black, Hispanic, and even possibly white (although it could just be someone with a light skin tone, as we’ve seen). With this we see polyculturalism. The song they sing is about winning the lottery saying that it is an “everyday routine” to purchase a ticket. It discusses hopes and dreams of growing and becoming somebody. Earlier in class we discussed the ghetto and the constraints within race and socioeconomic status to leave that area. The same aspect is seen here. It is depicted that the $96,000 lottery ticket is the only shot at redemption. Beside the American dream story, we see smaller aspects of hip-hop as well. There is the use of, and even stating the word, “braggadocio.” There is breaking, and rapping involved and even culture is seen through the clothing. The character singing about starting a business is wearing a button down shirt with a tie and black slacks, but is also wearing street shoes. This shoes that money is an issue, having not been able to afford dress shoes to match his professional attire. It also shows his attitude as a goal oriented person, once again going back to the hopes of winning the lotto. In the Heights is hip-hop theater at its finest.
ReplyDeleteHip-hop theater is very expressive and shows both sides of theater and hip-hop. It lets the actors bring out their lyrical side in a more serious way by preaching to a live audience. Theater is a very influential part of those who are involved in it because it is all that they have. Hip-hop theater and performance is just a different way to express the culture of hip-hop and to show the world that it can be approached in other ways.
ReplyDeleteHip-hop and theater are two words that I would not associate with each other. It wasn’t until I watched several videos online that I was really able to equate hip-hop with theater. I think this site really sums it up: http://current.com/groups/art-and-style/76322422_hip-hop-theater.htm. This video has interviews with Danny Hoch and also shows some different solo performances. I can see now that hip-hop can be embodied through the theater.
ReplyDeleteHip-hop theater is sort of a new thing. Like we talked about in class, theater has always been perceived as this upper class, proper, boring thing. Since a touch of hip-hop has been added to theater it has became more of a middle class, upbeat, laid back thing. Every week we see more and more how hip-hop influences popular culture in today’s world. “The name hip-hop theatre still brings people together, recognizing that the separation of hip-hop from theatre to begin with was an unnecessary, artificial split” (Chang 71). This quote goes right along with what was said in lecture about how hip-hop theater is challenging and disrupting today’s stereotypes and bringing everyone together. I got on youtube to find something to present for crew this week and just when typing in hip-hop theater all sort of videos came up. I found this new show that an MC/performer is producing and trying to get aired on tv. The show is actually called Deborah Jane’s Hip Hop Theater. She said she is driven by her passion to inspire as a leader of the HOTT and that she does it for the people! (Myspace). It is so interesting to see how Hip-hop pushes it’s way into new things everyday.
ReplyDeleteWhen one thinks of the traditional American theater, hip hop isn’t regularly considered an aspect. On the other hand there have been great strides in more modern theater that definitely implement a hip hop aspect. In class we’ve have examined multiple channels of theater and either involve or revolve around hip hop. Danny Hoch a popular theatrical performer and playwright is one of the for fronts in meshing hip hop and theater. One of his main drives is seen in his Manifesto for the Hip-Hop Arts movement, “…the consistent challenge has been to define not what hip-hop means as culture, but what hip-hop means as art—in fact, to make the case that hip-hop is art…” (Here We Go Yo). I believe that he makes not only a valid point, but an extremely strong one as well. I believe that Hip Hop isn’t a culture as much anymore and more of an art. Not only in theater is hip hop becoming more popular but so many other commodities in life. People enjoy hip hop and the energy/style/meaning it brings that is why it is so popular across such a broad demographic. If hip hop wasn’t as widely accepted and enjoyed as it is then it wouldn’t be bleeding into theater. We don’t see country theater on the rise, or heavy metal theater on the rise. I think that the plain and simple existence of hip hop theater is enough evidence to prove its importance. Having personally attended numerous traditional theater performances growing up I can easily say that I was never too amped to go sit through a long, dark, stagnant performance (Wicked, Fiddler on the Roof, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Hairspray) Had there been a more up-beat fast paced performance of course I would have been all ears but that isn’t what my generation experience at the time. My only refuge that I experienced in theater was Stomp, a performance I did and could get more involved and excited for. Granted all the other show’s I’ve listed are wonderful in their on right and definitely performance I don’t now regret experiencing, they just didn’t have the pop like potentially newer shows. All in all hip hop I do believe that hip hop is changing the content in American theater because hip hop is more accepted and sought after from the recent generations, the generations that at one point will be writing, performing, maintaining, and supplying American theater in the future.
ReplyDeleteI found this poet to be quite talented:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY7pM8k8moY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN8dNEKoGVE
ReplyDeleteThis link is to a performance by students in the drama mainstage program at Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. This kind of theater I would definitely like to see in person! The intro draws me in, talking about why they aren’t hip hop, bringing up common stereotypes. This show is very entertaining; one actor even beat boxes into a flute! I’m not one for theater, but I would definitely go see an act like this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raSB3ceNe_k
ReplyDeleteThis clip above is a hip hop dancer vs. a ballet dancer. They performed this in a church and did a great job. I really enjoyed seeing both styles of dancing put together. They did an awesome job working off each others movements, even though the movements were so different.