The 'little theater' movement in the United States refers to the diversity of entertainment and theatrical styles around 1900, ranging from realism and musical theatre to the rise of African-American Theatre. Silent films and vaudeville also played significant roles, while venues like movie palaces became popular for their affordability. This era laid the groundwork for a shared mass culture through entertainment.
Little Theater Movement
By 1900, a notable trend, known as the "little theater" movement, had emerged in the United States as part of the broader history of American theater. Throughout the 20th century, realism remained a dominant force in theatrical performances. Noteworthy developments in this era included the rise of musical theatre, which evolved from minstrel shows and vaudeville, establishing itself as a commercially successful genre.
African-American Theatre carved its own significant niche early in the century, highlighted by the success of performers like Bert Williams and George Walker. Their groundbreaking Broadway production, 'In Dahomey,' in 1903, marked a major evolution in the performance industry. Williams later joined Ziegfeld's Follies, becoming one of the highest-paid performers of his time.
Entertainment during this period was also heavily influenced by the silent film era, with early movie theaters appearing in cities and showcasing films with simple storylines. This era set the stage for the eventual transition to "talking pictures" and the creation of a mass culture around shared media experiences.
Live performances continued to captivate audiences, with thousands of touring troupes offering an array of shows, including Shakespeare, vaudeville, and melodrama. The era also saw the advent of grand movie palaces and the affordability of entertainment, with a quarter granting Americans access to diverse and escapist experiences. Vaudeville, in particular, remained a significant aspect of popular entertainment, with performers like Harry Houdini rising to fame through its circuits and influencing what would become the modern movie theater.
The historical emphasis on Western theatrical development often overlooks other forms, focusing mainly on the trajectory from Ancient Greeks through major European powers and eventually to the United States.