A Primer on Theatre and Aesthetics - Paperback

by Lauren Friesen (Author), Elizabeth Kattner (Foreword by)

A Primer on Theatre and Aesthetics explores the philosophy of arts from the Ancient Greeks to our contemporary world. What began as a debate in a monoculture eventually mushroomed into a vision for aesthetic diversity and inclusion as declarative statements receded in importance and subjective perceptions became fundamental. Studies in aesthetics often focus on music or the visual arts whereas this volume explores the nexus between philosophical perspectives and theatre. The purpose for theatre is wholeness (catharsis) and philosophy is the guide for that analysis.

Author Biography

Lauren D. Friesen is the David M. French Professor Emeritus at the University of Michigan. The Kennedy Center awarded him with the Gold Medallion for excellence in university/college theatre. Recent publications include Theatre/Peace/Justice: A Mennonite Dramaturgy, Prairie Lands, Private Landscapes, and Anabaptist ReMix: Varieties of Cultural Engagement in North America.