WORD: "ORGANISM"

Artaud uses the word "organism" to describe his idea of each individual within the masses. According to the OED, "organism" can be defined as:
"2. a. A whole with interdependent parts, compared to a living being; an organic system."
OR
"b. Philos. The theory that in science everything is ultimately an organic part of an integrated whole."
OR
"3. a. An individual animal, plant, or single-celled life form. Also: the material structure of such an individual; an instance of this."

All of these definitions have the commonality of describing an individual entity that is part of an encompassing whole. Artaud's idea of what the theater should be revolve around an idea of returning to base human existence. According to Britannica Online, Artaud "believed that civilization had turned humans into sick and repressed creatures and that the true function of the theatre was to rid humankind of these repressions and liberate each individual’s instinctual energy. He proposed removing the barrier of the stage between performers and audience and producing mythic spectacles that would include verbal incantations, groans and screams, pulsating lighting effects, and oversized stage puppets and props." This explanation of Artaud's purpose in his critique of the theater reveals his ideas about the need for humans to experience their raw "humanality." His use of the word "organism" returns human audience members to their basic scientific origin, along with illustrating their functions as parts to a whole: humankind.

OED
http://dictionary.oed.com

Britannica Online
www.britannica.com