What is Avante-garde Theater?
Some people would simply say that “avante-garde” is simply a synonym for “really weird stuff.” The goal of most avante-guard plays is to break away from the traditional forms of storytelling. The artists who consider themselves Avante-garde (French for “vanguard” or “a forefront movement”) have been reinventing new ways to connect with audiences. (Though sometimes they alienate more than they connect.) Love them or hate them, plays that are written for “avante-garde” or “experimental theater” can certainly stimulate conversation. The protagonist in Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull represents the dawning of the avante-garde movement. Young, distraught Konstantin writes a play with no plot or characters — but lots of fascinating ideas. Some have argued that Chekov’s play within a play is a scathing satire of the avante-garde movement, while others contend it is a tip of the hat to experimental theater.
