The use of circus elements in Turkish traditional performing arts into contemporary theater playing and an application: Play of "Deli Dumrul" by Güngör Dilmen

Circus arts, in traditional meaning, consists artistic shows like equestrian exercises, equilibrium performs, juggling, on the ground as contortion, force and agility and in the air as acrobatic performs consisting rope and trapeze, trained animal shows and interludes by clowns. It is already known that in many areas of the world like Far East, America, Europe and Africa show elements of circus arts derive from a tradition having roots and also that variety of talent performs existing in circus arts have been gathered within the scope of a totalitarian show, and this art has become a type of performance itself. In the point where circus arts has reached in 21st century, it is observed that it has parted from traditional circus understanding and has turned into a field of arts, within the context of a domain named "Contemporary Circus", both in training and in professional life containing many disciplines from performing arts to plastic arts. Even so, it is also seen, in Turkey, too, there were circus arts elements in Turkish traditional performing arts, the examples of this art occurred in Anatolian land; but such elements of circus arts have diminished before forming any progress. However; it is known that in times of Ottoman Empire from 16th to mid18th century, shows containing circus elements have been performed as part of "Ottoman Festivals" to celebrate the events relating mostly to palace, like wedding, birth, circumcision, or victories. Named among performers in these shows were illusionist, acrobats skinning up (acrobatic pole) and walking on slack line (ropewalker), contortion performers, equilibrium performers using many items like jugs, jars or bottles, athletes, performers of acrobatie force, equestrians, and animal trainers. In this thesis study, modern and contemporary theater's view over performer and its relation to circus is also examined other than the circus term and application in the West and Ottoman. Thus, the location of contemporary circus art in contemporary theater is revealed by emphasizing its postmodern features and the term "performer" in Circus Theater is clarified. The concise value of this thesis study and applied project has its importance in the view of the circus elements which took place in Turkish traditional performing arts but couldn't find an opportunity to grow up as a type of performing branch, to be used in staging of a national theater text and in the view of circus elements peculiar to Turkish culture to be adapted in contemporary theater acting. The effect expected from the results of the project to be worked in this framework results from a rare seen method in terms of initiates to use circus and theater arts together internationally as well as nationally. While in worldwide common significant circus acts, the method to place some of dramatic elements belonging to theater arts into a circus show, is preferred by many, the method proposed in this project is the skills in circus arts to be used in context of acting and staging in a theater play without spoiling dramatic structure.