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Henrik Ibsen
Born March 20, 1828 in Skien, Norway. Ibsen is commonly thought to be the father of modernism in theater. He last wrote in 1900 when a stroke ended his playwright career. Deceased on May 23, 1906 in Christiania (now called Oslo), Norway at age 78. -
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Frank Wedekind
Born on July 24, 1864 in Hanover, Germany. Considered to have set the basis for the Expressionist movement in theatre. He stronly influenced the "Theatre of the Absurd". Deceased on March 9, 1918 in Munich, Germany. -
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Filippo Tommaso Marinetti
Born on February 27, 1876 in Alexandria, Egypt. Created the concept of Futurism. Publised his "Manifesto of Futurism" in 1909 in a Paris newspaper called Le Figaro. Deceased on December 2, 1944 in Bellagio, Italy at age 67. -
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Hugo Ball
Born on February 22, 1886 in Pirmasens, Germany. Hugo Ball is considered the creator of the Dadaist movement. He was a pacifist which led to the creation of the Dada movement. He founded the Cabaret Voltaire in Switzerland which became a popular performance space for the Dadaist movement. Deceased on September 14, 1927 in Sant' Abbondio, Switzerland at age 41. -
Futurism
Filippo Tommaso Marinetti developed the concept of Futurism in 1909. He published his "Manifesto of Futurism" on the cover of Paris newspaper "Le Figaro" in 1909. Futurism is categorized by short scenes and humor. -
Expressionism
Started in Germany in 1910. Expressionism was created as a means to rebel against the middle class' materialistic values. This led to Naturalism in theatre and the use of characters more as symbols than actual characters. -
Detonation or Detanazione
A futurist microdrama written by Francesco Cangiullo. Comprised of a single scene where a gunshot rings out on a dark and desolate road. -
Dadaism
Created due to outrage regarding modern society and the outbreak of World War I. Protests materialism, nationalism, and rationalism. -
The Gas Heart
Written by Tristan Tzara and first performed in 1921. This play prompted a riot in Paris in 1923 and signaled the end of the Dada movement. -
The Hairy Ape
The Hairy Ape was the first fully expressionist play written. Produced by Eugene O'Neil in 1922.