New York City gilt allgemein als die US-Amerikanische Kulturhauptstadt schlechthin. Die Stadt war v.a. in den früheren Epochen ein Einfallstor in die USA, manchmal Durchgangstation, oft aber das endgültige Ziel. Menschen aus sehr vielen Ländern gaben der Stadt ihren Charakter und brachten natürlich ihre kulturelle Identität sowie ihre Gewohnheiten mit. Diese multikulturelle Ausprägung der Stadt und die verhältnismäßig starke Liberalität haben ihren großen Beitrag zur Bildung der Kunstszene geleistet. ¬¬¬
NYC hat sich jedoch erst im 20. Jahrhundert zum anerkannten Kulturzentrum entwickelt. Angefangen bei der Portraitmalerei im 18. und 19. Jahrhundert bis über Landschaftsmalereien und die „Hudson River School“ hin zu Bildhauerei und architektonischer Verschönerung von Gebäuden – hier und beim Zuzug europäischer Maler und Künstler liegen die Wurzeln von NYC als Kulturstadt. Nicht zu vergessen ist die zunehmende Etablierung verschiedener Kulturzentren, wie dem Metropolitan Museum Of Art, Museum Of Modern Art, dem Guggenheim Museum, sowie vielen anderen Einrichtungen wie den unzähligen Bühnen in der Gegend des Broadways. Weitere Ausprägungen erfährt die Kultur in verschiedenen Formen der Subkultur. Dabei handelt es sich um Entwicklungen in der Graffiti- und Musikszene, sowie anderen noch nicht etablierten Kunstrichtungen wie den verschiedenen Formen von Straßenperformance.
Der Ausdruck „Kultur“ läßt sich auf verschiedene Arten und Weisen definieren. Im weitesten Sinne ist „Kultur“ die Gesamtheit des durch Menschen Geschaffenen. Natürlich wäre es nicht sinnvoll diesen Begriff für die folgende Arbeit so auszulegen. Hier ist die Verwendung des Begriffes im Sinne von „Kunst“ und „kreativen menschlichen Schaffens“. Eine weiter gehende Definition dieses Begriffes würde den Rahmen dieser Arbeit zweifelsohne sprengen. So werden in dieser Arbeit folgende Felder als „Kultur“ verstanden: Malerei, Film, Bühne, Kunsthandwerk, Bildhauerei, Musik, Design, Literatur, Photographie und andere „typische“ Felder von Kultur und Kunst.
Field Trip New York City 2005
The History Of Broadway Theaters Martin Doskoczynski
- 19th ct.: first theaters in Downtown Manhattan: Park Theater on Park Row (1810) and “The Bowery” on the Bowery (1821)
- World of entertainments, theaters, circusses, exhibitions centered on the Bowery
- beginnings of intensive growth of number of theaters and domination (Broadway-Syndicates)
- beginning of “moving to midtown”
- import of many artists from europe
- 1866: “The Black Crook” à first Broadway Musical
- 1900-1920: Beginnings of the Theater District which extended along Broadway from 13th Street to 45th Street
- “The Great White” (Way): Lights illuminating the Theater District
- since 1902: several institutions built on “Longacre Square” à 1904 renaming in “Times Square”
- Theaters: provincial, parochial and patriotic (“Stars and Stripes”)
- Beginning of “realism” and dramaturgy
- Most expensive show in NYC: $2.50 “The Follies of 1907” (1907)
- 1905: “The Hippodrome”-Theater: over 5,000 seats, 1910: 40 theaters in the Theater District
- since 1910: growth of USA and WWI influence Broadway, financial and moral support of the troops
- 1914: for the first time the songs of a play were part of the action; first jazz-musicals
- disputes between actors and producers, strikes; “no more pay, just fair play”
- continuing moving northwards, more and more theaters established in Midtown Manhattan
- vaudevilles, ragtime, blues, jazz; black artists, but also racist plots
- 1920-1940: “The American Theater”: new economic, social and intellectual world, then great depression (since ~1930)
- “The New Theater” established next to central park à American Theater (à New Theater Movement)
- 1925: Civic Repertory Theater: cheap performances for the masses, mix of immigrants, students and uptown theater-goers à training ground for actors
- presentation of black life by black performers
- most famous plays: ~1400 performances (e.g.”Hellzapoppin”)
- big crisis during the depression
- “Federal Theater Project”, “experimental theater”; “Group Theater”: young actors, idealistic group à political theater
- declining number of production but improving quality
- 1940s: “Bright, golden Haze”
- Situation very similar to the 1910s, due to WW.II
- “Nazis” in performances
- comedy and farce to escape the reality of war
- upcoming TV: many movies basing on Broadway-performances
- movies cheaper then plays, rise of costs à decreasing number of performances
- musical no longer escapistic, but also informing and thought-provoking
- first off-Broadway theaters in Greenwich Village
- damage to theater by the “Un-American Activities Committee”
- demonstration for social change and sexual and racial equality by actors in plays
- 2nd half of 20th ct.: NYC cultural capital of the world
- motto: “freedom” and the defense of it
- Broadway-Plays more and more expensive, not affordable for many people
- Even Off-Broadway expensive à off-off-Broadway established
- Importance of Broadway still very high, but for the first time more actors employed outside of NYC than in it (1960s)
- Most popular performances: musicals
- Surroundings of Times Square absolute Center of Broadway-Insitutions, but continuing moving northwards
- Times Square since 1970s affected by drugs, prostitution and sex-cinemas, urban decay, renewal in the 1990s (under Giuliani)
Sources:
JACKSON, K.T. (1995) (Hrsg.): The Encyclopedia Of New York City. University of Yale.
KINGWOOD COLLEGE LIBRARY (2004) (Hrsg.): “American Cultural History”. URL: http://kclibrary.nhmccd.edu/19thcentury.html. Abrufdatum: 28.02.2005
Frequently asked questions
What is the document about?
The document provides a historical overview of Broadway theaters in New York City, starting from the 19th century to the latter half of the 20th century.
Where were the first theaters located in Manhattan?
The first theaters were located in Downtown Manhattan, specifically the Park Theater on Park Row (1810) and "The Bowery" on the Bowery (1821).
What was the Bowery known for?
The Bowery was a center for various forms of entertainment, including theaters, circuses, and exhibitions.
When did the Theater District begin to take shape?
The Theater District began to take shape between 1900 and 1920, extending along Broadway from 13th Street to 45th Street.
What does "The Great White Way" refer to?
"The Great White Way" refers to the lights illuminating the Theater District along Broadway.
When was Longacre Square renamed Times Square?
Longacre Square was renamed Times Square in 1904.
What was notable about "The Hippodrome" theater?
"The Hippodrome" theater, established in 1905, had over 5,000 seats.
How did World War I influence Broadway?
World War I influenced Broadway through financial and moral support of the troops.
What characterized the "American Theater" period (1920-1940)?
The "American Theater" period was characterized by a new economic, social, and intellectual world, followed by the Great Depression. It also saw the rise of the "New Theater" and the "Federal Theater Project."
What was the "Civic Repertory Theater"?
The "Civic Repertory Theater" offered cheap performances for the masses and served as a training ground for actors.
What role did the "Federal Theater Project" play during the Depression?
The "Federal Theater Project" was part of the "experimental theater" movement during the Depression.
What was the state of Broadway during the 1940s?
During the 1940s, Broadway's situation was similar to the 1910s due to World War II. Comedy and farce were popular, and movies based on Broadway performances gained popularity.
What impact did television have on Broadway?
Television led to many movies being based on Broadway performances, which were cheaper than attending plays. This, along with rising costs, led to a decrease in the number of performances.
What characterized Broadway in the second half of the 20th century?
In the second half of the 20th century, NYC became the cultural capital of the world, with "freedom" as a key motto. Broadway plays became increasingly expensive, leading to the growth of off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway theaters.
What issues affected Times Square in the 1970s?
Times Square was affected by drugs, prostitution, and sex cinemas in the 1970s, leading to urban decay. It underwent renewal in the 1990s under Giuliani.
What sources are listed in the document?
The document lists three sources:
- JACKSON, K.T. (1995) (Hrsg.): The Encyclopedia Of New York City. University of Yale.
- KINGWOOD COLLEGE LIBRARY (2004) (Hrsg.): “American Cultural History”. URL: http://kclibrary.nhmccd.edu/19thcentury.html. Abrufdatum: 28.02.2005
- RUSIE, R.(2004): „Broadway 101. The History of the Great White Way”. URL: http://www.talkinbroadway.com/bway101/. Abrufdatum: 01.03.2004.
- Quote paper
- Martin Doskoczynski (Author), 2005, New York City - Zentrum von Hochkultur und Subkultur, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/110413
