On Soka University of America Week: Movie theaters can be used for more than just movies.
Sandrine Siméon, assistant dean of global citizenship and associate professor of French language & culture, examines another form of entertainment that can fill the screens.
Originally from Paris, Sandrine Siméon completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Paris III, the Sorbonne Nouvelle, and received a master’s degree in film from Concordia University in Montréal before working in the film industry. Returning to her academic endeavors, she earned additional degrees in French and Francophone Studies from Penn State University, where she wrote a doctoral dissertation on the filming of live theater. Her research continues to focus on the filming of theater and the teaching methods of theater through film. She co-edited two volumes on anglophone and digital theater and published several articles in peer-reviewed journals.
The Ethics, Aesthetics and Accessibility of Live Theater on Film
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Where can you go if you want to see a play? How much do you pay to watch a performance from a velvet seat in a grand theater? How far will you travel to enjoy it live? Or could you experience it in a movie theater near you, or even on one of your own screens?
Since the early days of cinema, live theater has been captured on film. Yet, despite this long history, advances in technology, and the rising popularity of digital theater broadcasts, these films are still rarely recognized as an art form in their own right. Instead, we see through them as if they were merely a window onto the stage. But it is not just about what we see, it’s how we see it. The filmmaker’s choices in framing, camera angles and movement matter because they guide how we engage with the performance.
I am tracing the influence of live French theater on how stage performances are captured on screen. Aesthetically, these films deserve the same scholarly attention as their fiction and documentary counterparts. Ethically, they have social and educational value. They strive to create an immersive experience and increase public participation, allowing diverse audiences to engage with theater beyond traditional live settings. And of course, they fulfill an important role in preserving cultural heritage while creating new opportunities for the film industry.
These are just some of the reasons why live performance films deserve critical recognition. Not too long ago, the COVID-19 pandemic reminded us of their importance: they became the only safe stage when live productions could not go on.
