Richard Foreman
Richard Foreman
=====================
Full Name and Common Aliases
------------------------------
Richard Foreman is a renowned American avant-garde theater director, playwright, and founder of the Ontological-Hysteric Theater (OHT). He is often referred to as the "Grandfather of Avant-Garde Theatre" for his innovative and provocative works.
Birth and Death Dates
-------------------------
Born on August 16, 1937, in Boston, Massachusetts. Foreman's exact date of death is not publicly known.
Nationality and Profession(s)
--------------------------------
American theater director, playwright, and founder of the Ontological-Hysteric Theater (OHT).
Early Life and Background
-----------------------------
Growing up in a traditional Jewish family, Foreman was exposed to the arts from an early age. His parents, both immigrants, encouraged his creative pursuits. He began writing plays at 12 years old and continued to develop his skills throughout high school. After graduating, Foreman attended Harvard University, where he studied philosophy and developed an interest in avant-garde theatre.
Major Accomplishments
-------------------------
Founded the Ontological-Hysteric Theater (OHT) in 1968.
Pioneered the development of experimental theatre, pushing boundaries of language, narrative, and performance.
Won multiple Obie Awards for directing and playwriting.
Published several books on theatre theory and practice.
Notable Works or Actions
---------------------------
Some notable works include:
"Young Man's Fancy" (1970): A postmodernist play that critiques traditional narrative structures.
"The God Gang" (1981): An experimental work exploring the relationship between language, power, and identity.
* "My Credo" (2006): A philosophical exploration of theatre's role in society.
Impact and Legacy
----------------------
Foreman's innovative approach to theatre has influenced generations of artists. His emphasis on experimentation and pushing boundaries has expanded the possibilities of performance art. The Ontological-Hysteric Theater continues to produce avant-garde works, keeping Foreman's legacy alive.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
-----------------------------------------
Richard Foreman is widely quoted for his insightful commentary on theatre, culture, and society. His innovative approach has made him a respected figure in the artistic community. His quotes often touch on themes of creativity, experimentation, and the role of art in shaping our understanding of the world.
His work continues to inspire artists and thinkers across disciplines, cementing his place as one of the most influential figures in modern theatre.
Quotes by Richard Foreman
I’ve been trying to figure out for at least the last 10 years how to force myself into something more risky.
I’m there to make a kind of theatrical music that is desperately missing in my life. And if other people don’t like it, I’m very unhappy, but I can’t do anything about that.
Understand – it ALWAYS makes sense. Sense can’t be avoided. If it first seems to be non-sense, wait: roots will reveal themselves.
Which implies that the real issue in art is the audience’s response. Now I claim that when I make things, I don’t care about the audience’s response, I’m making them for myself. But I’m making them for myself as audience, because I want to wake myself up.
![I come from a tradition of Western culture, in which the ideal (my ideal) was the complex, dense, and 'cathedral-like' structure of the highly educated and articulate personality--a man or woman who carried inside themselves a personally constructed and unique version of the entire heritage of the West. [But now] I see within us all (myself included) there placement of complex inner density with a new kind of self--evolving under the pressure of information overload and the technology of the 'instantly available.'](/_vercel/image?url=https:%2F%2Flakl0ama8n6qbptj.public.blob.vercel-storage.com%2Fquotes%2Fquote-1470010.png&w=1536&q=100)
I come from a tradition of Western culture, in which the ideal (my ideal) was the complex, dense, and 'cathedral-like' structure of the highly educated and articulate personality--a man or woman who carried inside themselves a personally constructed and unique version of the entire heritage of the West. [But now] I see within us all (myself included) there placement of complex inner density with a new kind of self--evolving under the pressure of information overload and the technology of the 'instantly available.'
Understand--it ALWAYS makes sense. Sense can't be avoided. If it first seems to be non-sense, wait: roots will reveal themselves.
I'm there to make a kind of theatrical music that is desperately missing in my life. And if other people don't like it, I'm very unhappy, but I can't do anything about that.