An Introduction to Theatre of Omniscience

Authors

Kierstan K. Conway, Cleveland State UniversityFollow

Abstract

Theatre is an art of infinite possibility and is created and viewed from a variety of different lenses. Throughout history, artistic movements such as realism, surrealism, naturalism, expressionism, romanticism, and many more have influenced the ideologies of theatrical artists. Theatre practitioners make a stake in their artistic beliefs in the form of manifestos, which encapsulate their understanding in an abstract or concrete way. In reading and studying these manifestos, the individual then has the choice to follow suit to a school of thought, or derive their own philosophy. Theatre, in one viewpoint, can be understood as a means of omniscience, it allows the audience the possibility of understanding life as the third party, something they do not often have the chance to do in their day-to-day lives. Taking this outlook on theatre creates a different means of understanding the playwright, the actor, and their works. Analyzing the possibility of theatre through the lens of omniscience allows for a new understanding of what it means to create art and its impacts on practitioners and artists alike. In a subjective field, it is up to the individual to understand their means and methods of creating art above all else whether it be in a structured or abstract manner. In understanding the potential of Theatre of Omniscience, it opens the perspectives of practitioners allowing them to better understand their questions about life and orchestrate them onstage for audiences to ponder. It escalates theatre to be not only a form of entertainment, but a way to better comprehend questions that seems impossible to answer in their lives.

Recommended Citation

Conway, Kierstan K.. "An Introduction to Theatre of Omniscience." The Downtown Review. Vol. 7. Iss. 2 (2021) .
Available at: https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/tdr/vol7/iss2/2