What type of theatre typically prioritizes the inner emotional lives of characters through stylized gestures?

The emphasis on the inner emotional lives of characters through stylized gestures is a hallmark of Expressionism in theatre. This movement arose as a reaction to the limitations of Naturalism and Realism, focusing instead on conveying the emotional experiences and psychological states of characters rather than a direct representation of reality. Expressionist theatre often employs exaggerated movements, abstract settings, and symbolic elements to reflect the characters' feelings, allowing audiences to engage deeply with the emotional truth of the narrative.

In contrast to Expressionism, Naturalism and Realism aim to present life in a way that is more authentic and lifelike, often depicting everyday situations and characters without stylization. Romanticism also emphasizes emotional expression but often does so through grand themes and larger-than-life characters, rather than the more personalized emotional exploration typical of Expressionism. Thus, the use of stylized gestures to represent emotional depth is indeed a defining characteristic of the Expressionist approach in theatre.