PHILOSOPHY OF THE
THEATRE
Donn
B. Murphy - 1952
I
write not as one who knows, but as one who seeks
knowledge. I want to sort out the confusion of theories
and thoughts which I hold as I attempt to lift my
foot up to the first high rung of a tall ladder
[my entrance to graduate school at Catholic University
for a Master's Degree in Theatre].
Men
and women were created by God to know, love and
serve Him on earth, and thus to prepare to be happy
with God forever in heaven. It is possible for people
to be very happy on earth, because each step they
take in the knowledge, love and service of God is
certainly a joyous step. Even in material poverty,
bodily affliction, and mental anxiety, people can
be happy in anticipation of future rewards.
We
gain knowledge of God in three ways: a) from the
material universe, b) from intellectual endeavors,
c) from spiritual assistance. Let me give examples
of the second two ways before concentrating on the
first. A person learns of God through intellectual
endeavors, using intelligence to study proofs of
God's existence, His purposes, His teachings. One
learns of God through spiritual assistance when
witnessing a great miracle, the infinite little
miracles of daily life, or receiving graces, or
the unearned gift of faith.
The
first pathway to the knowledge of God is the material
universe. This term must be understood to include
all God's creations which humans experience. Non-material
experiences such as sounds, sights, emotional feelings
and mental reactions to good and evil are included.
Beauty
is a gift of God and by experiencing beauty we gain
knowledge of God. The formal pursuit and creation
of beauty is art. The art of theatre, in its various
forms combines writing, speaking, music, singing,
lighting, architecture, perspective and painting.
In
exploring the beauties of nature and the possibilities
of creation, the artist can be led toward the infinite
beauty of the Creator, and the love of God. From
this love evolves a desire to serve.
An
artist with incomplete understanding or insincere
intention might enjoy much of God's beauty without
gaining knowledge or love of its Source. Likewise,
the enjoyment, or the beauty itself, could be perverted
by misuse.
Drama
is, of itself, good. The appreciation of a line
of poetry or a witty phrase is pleasure derived
from the gift of language. Enjoyment of the combinations
and contrasts in shapes, colors and lighting is
satisfaction derived from the visual beauty of God.
The theatre which gave nothing more than this could
give one a broader insight into the infinity of
the Creator. One would have a fuller appreciation
of beauty and would therefore be b better able to
serve God.
It
is believed that one's emotions are reinvigorated
by art experiences, opening a path toward the knowledge
of God.
Here
arises the question of whether theatre should aid
one directly in the service of God. The ballet,
musical revue or comedy refresh the emotions without
suggesting a course of action. Drama, however, either
explicitly or implicitly contains a moral, and here
it begins to teach in addition to entertaining.
Obviously, with its broad appeal to several senses,
and to the emotions in addition to the intellect,
it can become a powerful teacher or propagandist.
However, the purposeful introduction of a message
would make the vehicle visual-audio-emotional education,
rather than art.
With
this problem I will close this essay, demanding
of myself that it be followed with more complete
data as my knowledge grows toward completion of
these thoughts.
Corrected
for gender equity.
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