Chapter 4 human nature, politics, and

morality.
Performing Arts o Medieval Europe
Mystery and morality plays
–

were used by the Church to

Performing arts are unique because teach biblical stories.
o Philippines – Theater
they exist in the moment — a live
exchange between the performer and the traditions like the komedya,
audience. While visual arts leave a physical sarsuwela, and senakulo
object behind, performing arts are combined European
ephemeral, experienced in real-time and influences with indigenous
remembered through emotion, memory, storytelling.
and documentation. They require skill, • Modern Developments –
practice, creativity, and collaboration, Contemporary theater includes
often blending multiple art forms such as experimental performances,
music, dance, theater, and design. musicals, and socially engaged
Performing arts have been part of human plays.
culture since prehistoric times, serving
purposes beyond entertainment — Functions of Theater
including ritual, education, protest, and
cultural preservation. They help societies 1. Entertainment – Captures
express values, beliefs, and collective attention through storytelling,
emotions. humor, or suspense.
2. Education – Teaches history,
1. Theater values, or moral lessons.
3. Social Commentary – Critiques
Theater is an art form where stories political and social issues.
are acted out live before an audience, 4. Cultural Preservation – Keeps
usually involving dialogue, movement, traditional stories alive for future
music, and visual elements. It is a generations.
collaborative effort, bringing together
playwrights, directors, actors, designers, Examples
• Sarsuwela – Blends drama, music,
and technicians.
and dance to depict everyday life.
• Senakulo – A religious performance
Historical Context
• Ancient Origins – Theater depicting the Passion of Christ.
• PETA Productions – Theater used
emerged in ancient civilizations as
part of religious and community to raise awareness on social issues
rituals. like human rights and
o Ancient Greece (5th environmental protection.
century BCE) – Tragedy and
comedy flourished in open- 2. Dance
air amphitheaters.
Playwrights like Sophocles Dance is the art of purposeful
and Aristophanes explored movement, often accompanied by music,
to express ideas, emotions, or tell a story.
It is one of the oldest forms of human create atmosphere. It exists in every
expression. culture and is often a universal language.

Historical Context Elements of Music

• Prehistoric Dance – Early humans • Melody – Main tune or theme.

danced to celebrate harvests, pray • Harmony – Supporting notes that
for rain, or mark life events. enrich the melody.
• Cultural Dance – Many traditional • Rhythm – Pattern of beats and
dances are tied to rituals, such as timing.
the Tinikling (imitating bamboo • Timbre – Distinct quality of a
traps) or Singkil (depicting the sound.
Maranao princess). • Dynamics – Variations in loudness.
• Theatrical Dance – Ballet emerged
in Renaissance Italy and France, Historical Context
while modern dance in the 20th
century rejected strict rules in • Ancient Roots – Early humans
favor of freedom of movement. used drums, flutes, and vocal
• Contemporary Dance – Combines chants.
elements from various traditions, • Classical Music – Composers like
including hip-hop, jazz, and folk. Beethoven and Mozart structured
complex symphonies.
Functions of Dance • Philippine Music – Ranges from
indigenous gongs (kulintang) to
1. Cultural Identity – Preserves Spanish-influenced kundiman, and
heritage through traditional modern OPM.
movements and costumes.
2. Storytelling – Narrates myths, Functions of Music
legends, and histories without
words. 1. Emotional Expression – Evokes
3. Social Interaction – Brings feelings like joy, sorrow, or
communities together during nostalgia.
festivals and celebrations. 2. Ritual Use – Enhances religious
4. Artistic Innovation – Explores and spiritual practices.
new forms of human movement. 3. Social Bonding – Brings people
Examples together at concerts or festivals.
• Tinikling – National dance of the 4. Cultural Preservation – Keeps
Philippines. languages and traditions alive.
• Ballet Philippines productions.
• Hip-hop dance battles in urban Examples
communities. • Kundiman – Romantic and patriotic
Filipino songs.
3. Music • Kulintang – Traditional ensemble
from Mindanao.
Music is the art of organizing • OPM artists like Ryan Cayabyab
sounds to convey emotion, tell stories, or and Ben&Ben.
4. Circus Arts tangible objects, performing arts exist in
the moment, relying on the shared
Circus arts involve physical skill, experience between performer and
spectacle, and creativity to entertain audience.
audiences, often combining acrobatics,
juggling, clowning, and theatrical
• Theater blends storytelling, acting,
storytelling.
and stagecraft to reflect society,
Historical Context challenge ideas, and entertain.

• Ancient Times – Roman circuses • Dance uses movement and rhythm

featured horse races and to communicate emotions,
acrobatics. preserve traditions, and unite
• 18th–19th Century – Traveling communities.
circuses became popular in Europe
and America, with big tents (“big • Music organizes sound into
tops”). melodies, harmonies, and rhythms
• Contemporary Circus – that evoke emotions and connect
Companies like Cirque du Soleil
people across cultures.
integrate high-level artistry,
choreography, and narratives
without animal acts. • Circus Arts merge athletic skill,
spectacle, and artistry to thrill and
Functions of Circus Arts inspire audiences.

1. Entertainment – Thrills audiences Throughout history, performing arts

with daring performances. have served multiple purposes — from
2. Skill Demonstration – Showcases ritual and education to social commentary
mastery of physical abilities. and pure entertainment. They preserve
3. Cultural Exchange – Combines cultural heritage, give voice to social
elements from different issues, and spark emotional connections
performance traditions.
that transcend language and geography.
4. Economic Contribution – Attracts
tourism and creates jobs.
In essence, the performing arts are
Examples mirrors of humanity — capturing our joys,
• Cirque du Soleil’s O and Kà. struggles, beliefs, and aspirations — while
• Philippine traditional fiestas also being powerful tools for cultural
sometimes feature acrobats and preservation, innovation, and change. To
street performers. appreciate them fully is to understand not
just the art form, but also the society and
Performing arts — encompassing people that give it life.
theater, dance, music, and circus arts —
are dynamic, living expressions of human
creativity. Unlike visual arts that remain as