Ethics in Theatre Theatre is a form of communication that has been influencing the world for thousands of years. At its most basic form, theatre is story-telling. However, today’s modern society has pushed theatre to be bolder and bigger in order to stay above the waters. Much of this has come with the sacrifice of morality in order to have the most “shock factor”. This brings about the question, can theatre maintain Christian principles without hindering communication and the development of art, especially in a modern society? With a deep analysis on different aspects of ethics in theatre such as community, technology, duty, and propaganda it is very clear that in order to be true theatre, it must always chose art over morality. Although most theatres find it hard to follow Christian philosophy, they do not have to sacrifice the practice of being ethical in order to remain effective communicators. The idea behind ethics is developing an idea of what is “right” and what is “wrong” within a community and an individual. Ethics differ in different communities because they are based on the values of each community. This is why it is hard to have true Christian ethics in theatre. Because we were created by God, humans are called to be virtuous and tell the truth. By studying what is good, just and beautiful, one will become good, just and beautiful. Sometimes theatre focuses on themes that are far from what is just and good. Plato was worried that the idea of free imagination took us away from truth and reality (Dutton). It is important to remember that ideas have consequences, so this makes theatre responsible for the ideas that are portrayed to an audience through the show. However, those who call theatre immoral are missing the purpose (Dutton). Ethics are an important part of human life because they create standards that allow us to work towards success (Landauer). Theatre can often times be seen as controversial because it is their duty to challenge these ethics to raise questions among the audience. However, the main question that always rises is who decides what is ethical? Because what may be unethical to you, may not be to me. Ethics is categorizing values, or truths (Landauer). The sophists were one of the earliest group of philosophers to figure out how we know what we know; this is called sophistic epistemology. We discover truth through our sense, but since the senses are flawed, we can never fully truth. Then Plato challenge the idea by stating that we live in a world of shadows. We find truth, the forms, through the use of rhetoric and communication, and theatre is one of the greatest forms of communicating. Aristotle wrote a book on ethics called Nicomachean Ethics where he came to the conclusion that the main purpose of human life was to follow the law and live a virtuous life (“Aristotle”). He recognized that theatre is a crucial part of living a virtuous life because it allowed for a purging of emotions. Aristotle was able to recognize that the action was the very soul of drama and that a purging of emotions through pity and terror, especially in a tragedy, made it easier for one to follow the law (Bellinger). Just as each community defines what is ethical, as does each theatre, but in order for a theatre to maintain its purpose, it must always chose the most interesting choice over the most ethical choice. Theatre is an extension of life, an expression of the unconscious, a school where one is always learning, a stimulation of imagination, not imitation but creation. Asking the main purpose of theatre is like asking the main purpose of people- you will get many different views based on varying opinions. However, all of the theatre world will agree that theatre is about provoking thought among the audience. The main goal of theatre is not to teach a lesson or interpret the text for the audience, but rather to host a conversation between the play and the audience (Opinion: The Purpose of the Theater is to Present Themes, Not to Teach Lessons to the Audience”). As humans, we seek pleasure and avoid pain and anything that makes our happiness last longer is better. Theatre is all about the human struggles of seeking pleasure; it is an extension of life and is all about choosing the highest stakes to astonish and shock and tantalize by avoiding the safe route. It is all about evoking, not preaching. However, there are some who are highly against theatre because they think is it a misrepresentation of truth; they see it as “a school of vice and profligacy” (“The Christian and the Theater”). Aristotle articulates that “Tragedy [drama] is an imitation, not of men, but of actions” (Bellinger). It is merely an exaggeration of everyday life that is represented by real people. Theatre is necessary for the freedom of the soul. The exploration of possibilities and ethical conflict raises profound questions (Dutton). These questions of morality have been around since the beginning of time, making the purpose of theatre timeless. Even though life moves and changes, theatre has not only been able to keep up, but also remain relevant. To this day, there is something that can be learned from every age in theatre. For example, plays from authors like Shakespeare still have issues that are just as relevant as they were back when they were written (Opinion: The Purpose of the Theater is to Present Themes, Not to Teach Lessons to the Audience”). There is a certain beauty about the timelessness of theatre. Plato believed in the power of art, but he believed that it should be censored because spreading misinformation can cause the weakening of society. He believed that by exciting feelings, it weakened the soul. Friedrich Schiller challenged this idea of censoring drama and art because he believed that humans were capable of entering a higher level of existence because of their deeper appreciation for life (Dutton). Since theatre has always been about taking risks, there has always been a condemnation of its practice. Ancient pagans considered it to be immoral and not virtuous for the community. The early Christian church had a passion against theatre as well; those who frequently attended were condemned (“The Christian and the Theater”). Even in today’s society, many Christians are expressing opinions against practicing theatre. Modern society has taken advantage of creating controversy, especially with religious topics. This is why shows such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Corpus Christi, and The Testament of Mary have received so much attentions, because they challenge the religion that has challenged the theatre the most. Even though there are many Christian theatre, Aristotle point out that audiences are interested in evil; the most fascinating drama is not a character who has simple moral qualities (Dutton). With religion set aside, theatre has also taken a turn of development in technology. In fact, many people are afraid that technology is slowly becoming the focus of theatre. Technology has not only changed the way we communicate with one another, but it has also changed the way theatre communicates with their audience. The medium has a large impact on the message and technology decides who gets to talk by giving a voice to those who can afford it. Modern technology has allowed for story-telling to take on a new form, film. Many try to compare but the two are very different mediums. Film is like a memory and is consistent with every watch. But plays are growing and breathing; they are a living organism that change with each interpretation but still maintain the same themes. Theatre allows for the audience to live in the moment. One of the downfalls of the majority of modern film, both on the screen and the television, is that the audiences are barely affected by the dramatic experience because important subjects are often competing with commercials making its motive to attract a consumer rather than produce art (Dutton). They are many different communities who have varying opinions on whether or not technology should be embrace wholly or used with caution. The arguments to embrace technology say that it allows for more opportunities. It can help us explore and take creative risks. It also allows for collaboration and can extend the live theatre experience to a larger audience. This can be done through the use of live broadcasts and online engagement to enhance the audience’s experience. Those who embrace technology claim that this technology is not a threat to real world interaction (Gardner, “A New Stage Age: Why Theatres Should Embrace Digital Technology”). In conjunction with those who oppose an excessive amount of technology in the theatre, I also am afraid of the day where technology takes over theatre and becomes the main focus of the show. I learn in my theatre classes that the set, the lights, the costumes, etc. are merely there to serve as accessories to the story; they help the actor but they shouldn’t steal the actor’s job. The 80’s was the beginning of using computers to help program lights and sound for theatre. It has completely transformed theatre and audience involvement. However, the more a theatre relies on technology, the more that can go wrong. They run the risk of having to cancel a show because of technical difficulties (Gardner, “Modern Theatre relies too Much on Technology”). It can be extremely helpful when creating a show, however it is all about finding a balance because too much technology can actually be a hindrance to proper communication in theatre. Theatre is all about communication, which makes its efforts pointless without an audience. In communication, there is a lot of stress on the relationship between the speaker and the listener. The duty of an active audience is necessary for theatre to fulfill its true purpose. It is their responsibility to interpret meaning based on their perception (Opinion: The Purpose of the Theater is to Present Themes, Not to Teach Lessons to the Audience”). Their opinion is one of many. This idea fits closely with hermeneutics and the meaning of meaning. It is important to ask where the meaning lies. Is it in the audience? The speaker? The message? Sometimes what is said isn’t what is heard. So who gets to decide the meaning? Although there is a common theme that everyone can agree on, it is up to the audience to discover what it means for them. The playwrights and the directors want the audience to speculate. This is the purpose of art, to make us think and engage (Opinion: The Purpose of the Theater is to Present Themes, Not to Teach Lessons to the Audience”). It is important that audience do not treat theatre as mere entertainment because they would not be allowing the actors to do their jobs and communicate an idea (Dutton). My teacher always said that if they can get at least one person to ponder and reflect on the show after it is over, then they have done their job. The different interpretations allow for conversation and a building of community over the shared experience. The development of a community in the theatre is inevitable. The rehearsal and performance process allows a group of people who develop a unique relationship in an environment that can never be re-created. From an ethical standpoint, an individual cannot flourish without a healthy community. The idea of duty and ethics is filtered by what is good and changes within each community. The meaning of the word community has changed over the ages. It can be simply described as a group of people living together in a geographical location. However, a sense of community requires much more. Wendall Berry defines community as “A community is the mental and spiritual condition of knowing that the place is shared, and that the people who share the place define and limit the possibilities of each other's lives.” It is togetherness, division of work, cooperation, and association. Togetherness is important in a community because humans have a natural need for connection and are dependent on others. Communities connect through certain events and rituals. I noticed that each show I have done has had its own quirks and jokes that are unique to each show, and whenever I see a friend who was in that show with me, we can instantly bond over the memories that we shared together. Without this natural bond, it would make life very lonely with no one to share experiences with. Community is also defined by a division of work. The farmers will farm, the butcher will cut the meat, and the tailor will stitch the clothes. It is the idea that everyone does their part in order to keep the community going. This aspect is crucial in the theatre community. The light crew, the sound crew, the build crew, the actors- all are vital parts of creation a show. Without this division in the community, it would make it very hard to get things done. Cooperation is another important part of community. It develops a strong feeling of brotherhood and gives the community a sense of accomplishment. In the theatre, cooperation is key in order to create a show that fits together. Lastly, association in a community allows for a feeling of belonging. Wendell Berry Demonstrates this by showing that Jayber Crow has not lost the association with his hometown. This plays an important role in keeping a community alive. In theatre, we often call the whole crew a team, because we are all part of the same community working together to achieve a certain goal. A combination of all of these features allows for a peaceful and progressive society (Bhattacharyya). I have often been asked what has been my favorite show to work on, but I cannot honestly answer. The community of each production has each been so unique and I have loved each and every one in its own way. Community is also fostered within the audience as well. During the show, the audience feels a sense of involvement in the show because of the live feature and the suspension of disbelief that allows them to feel like they are really there. The theatre team wants to create a community with the audience by providing questions for them to later think about, because that is their part in the division of work. It is the shared experience that allows the audience to become part of the community as well. It is important to be aware of propaganda within the theatre and to define when theatre stops becoming art and starts becoming an experiment. Augustine believes that to teach is a necessity, to please be a sweetness, and to persuade is a victory. A theatre production that attempts to sway the audience in a single direction should be looked at with caution. Many theatres will do whatever it takes to attract the right kinds of people to persuade them to see the issue in one way. Propagandistic art is art that is bound to its political ideology (Dutton). It cannot explore anything because it already knows what it will discover, therefore it does not allow for discoveries to occur at all. True art that allows exploration cannot predict what it will reveal. The appropriate way to approach theatre it to experiment with the art and not with the audience. It is dangerous to manipulate the audience. Plato understood the power of persuasion and manipulation in the arts. However, there is a common misconception that the imposer of the idea is the one who is at fault, but there is a choice. The audience does not have to choose to believe if they are being persuaded in a certain way. There are certain directors who fear a theatre of free ideas, because when they provoke an audience, they also want to provide answers. But this hinders the true reasoning behind theatre; it is the duty of the audience to analyze and interpret the questions that the performance provoked (Dutton). As a Christian who is perusing theatre as a career, I wonder if I am going to have to sacrifice my beliefs in order to do what I love. Ethical behavior is possessing the courage and the strength to do what is right and it is my duty, above all, is to serve my Creator. After all, as a communicator it is important to remember that a man whose life is in harmony with his teaching will have the most impact. As a Christian actress, I must find ways to not become a hypocrite. I cannot preach one thing and do another, and I will be presented with many dilemmas if I chose to continue a path in this field. Many of our moral choices, according to Sandel, depend on the consequences and the more we know, the more innocence we lose. Many times I might be forced with the choice of whether or not I should compromise my beliefs in order to get a job. In the Christian theatre, it is very hard to have a free flow of idea that don’t persuade in one direction. More often than not, a Christian show that focuses on morality rather than quality becomes more of a means of evangelizing. Many Christians are even against the idea of theatre all together. They believe that it dissipates the mind. The world of theatre does not want people who are closed-minded. A Christian producer might ask an actor to make artistic sacrifices, whereas a secular producer might ask an actor to sacrifice morals in order to take artistic risks. Even though I will always be faced with this choice, I know that this is the gift that God has given me, and I become the best I can be for him by using my gift to honor him. I look at my experiences, and fortunately have not had to compromise anything so far. It is possible to have ethical theatre without making the focus purely Christian. Even when we did the show Godspell at theatre PBA, I asked why the director wasn’t having the Jesus character “resurrect” at the end. I was told that the director want to focus more on the theme of building a community rather than preaching the Gospel. It definitely opened my eyes and helped me realize that I don’t have to peruse only Christian theatres in order to keep my beliefs and still do what I love. Theatre’s main purpose is to communicate themes that provoke conversation and build community. This reason makes it hard for the Christian community to flourish in the theatre business because sometimes the most extravagant and provocative choice isn’t always the “right” choice. However, theatre can still be ethical by being unethical. It provides an exaggeration of life that allows the audience to question and develop their own interpretation to cohere with their beliefs. There should be caution when a show takes on propaganda and tries to impose certain beliefs on the audiences. It is their duty to always question and find their own meaning. Through the proper use and balance of technology, theatre has become a more effective outlet of communication. The greatest part of theatre is the development of a community, because a proper community helps develop the best shows. I am forever grateful for the opportunities and families that it has provided me. Even as a Christian in this department where Christianity isn’t very prevalent, I take heart because I trust that God’s ultimate plan will work out in the end.

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