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Explore the history and evolution of theater, from ancient Greek rituals and storytelling to modern-day performances. Learn about the essential qualities of theater and the role of the audience, performers, and environment. Discover the origins of theater and the use of masks in early performances.
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Today’s objective: Understand how the history of theater has evolved and the impact it has in the world • Today we will: • WRITING PROMPT: What would the world look like if there wasn’t any theatre? Answer this in a note on SeeSaw • Lecture on Greek History
Theater History • Let’s start with the Greeks! • Note: Anything in red is important!
First: Theater vs Theatre • English vs American • Most American’s use Theater, as of last 60 years • Theater is the building; Theatre is the art form • We went to the theater to see theatre
Next: ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF THEATRE 1. AUDIENCE 2. PERFORMERS 3. WHAT IS PERFORMED 4. ENVIRONMENT 5. PERFORMANCE
ORIGINS OF THEATRE 1. STORYTELLING 2. MOVEMENT / DANCE 3. RITUAL THEORY 4. Judicial System
What is a ritual? • 1 : the established form for a ceremony; specifically : the order of words prescribed for a religious ceremony. • 2a : ritual observance; specifically : a system of rites : a ceremonial act or action; b an act or series of acts regularly repeated in a set precise manner.
Greeks • Western drama started to develop in Greece in the sixth century B.C. as part of the worship of the Greek god, Dionysus • To commemorate the death of Dionysus, a group of chanters, called the chorus, danced around the alter on which a goat was sacrificed. • The chorus was referred to as “goat-singers”, and their chant, “goat-song” or tragos –tragedy was derived.
Dionysus Festivals • These ceremonies turned into dramatic contests. - Thespiswon the first competition - He stepped from the chorus and engaged in dialogue with the other chorus members. - He became the first actor. - The term thespian had been given to actors ever since.
Greeks THE CHORUS • The chorus was an integral part of early Greek plays. • They explained the situation, to bring the audience up to date. • To make commentary on the action from the point of view of established ideas. • To engage in dialogue with the other actors. • Over time, the responsibilities of the chorus diminished as the actor’s roles expanded. • Original chorus • Chorus today
Greeks • Primitive actors used masks to portray gods and animals. • As civilization developed in different cultures, drama took definite forms. • People worshiped gods and the glorified earthly rulers with elaborate pageantry. • Tales were told of the epic adventures of noble characters engaged in mighty conflicts. • It was these tales that led to dramatic presentations, ultimately to acted out again and again as societal ritual. • Oedipus Rex
deus ex machina • Literally means: "a god from a machine." • "Machine," in this case, refers to the crane that held a god over the stage in ancient Greek and Roman drama. • plot element by which a seemingly unsolvable problem is suddenly solved by the artificial and unexpected intervention of a new event, character, skill or object. • The deus ex machina can take many forms: an object or device with great power to defeat an enemy; an unexpected arrival of reinforcements at the time that heroes are beginning to fail; a flaw or quirk in the armor of the enemy; a convenient means of escape, etc.
Use of Masks • Mask: persona Exaggerated expressions-convey an emotion Allowed actors to play more than one character Universal designs No women!
