1 / 30

Greek Theatre

Greek Theatre. 500 BC – 100 AD. Theatre of Dionysus. Held up to 15,000 Typically performed in the morning Tribes were grouped together Non citizens (women, slaves, foreigners) all sat apart from others. Theatre of Dionysus. Dionysus was the fertility god of the Greeks

aine
Download Presentation

Greek Theatre

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Greek Theatre 500 BC – 100 AD

  2. Theatre of Dionysus • Held up to 15,000 • Typically performed in the morning • Tribes were grouped together • Non citizens (women, slaves, foreigners) all sat apart from others

  3. Theatre of Dionysus • Dionysus was the fertility god of the Greeks • The Theatre was built on religious ground and therefore any wrongdoings were thought to be sacrilege • They would have 7 day festivals in honor of Dionysus • They would include singing/dancing/comedy and tragedy

  4. Dionysus • God of wine, fertility and ecstasy • Son of Zeus and Semele • Prior to birth Zeus burned Semele and took unborn child • Zeus taught Dionysus about the mysteries of worship

  5. THE PERFORMANCE

  6. The Festivals • 4 festivals were held every year • They include choral, tragic play and comedic play contests • It was here that drama and improv first became known

  7. Introduction of drama In early times, these festivals were strictly choral. The chorus would sing songs, (often made up) about the gods. An actor then began to be introduced. This actor would interact with the chorus through actions and words. One actor would portray several characters through the use of masks.

  8. Festival Events • Began with a procession reenacting the coming of Dionysus • They proceeded through Athens to the Theatre where they sacrificed an animal • Choral Contests • Tragedies • Satyr Plays

  9. Thespis • Credited with the creation of drama • Introduced the actor to the choral competitions • This is where tragedy evolved from

  10. AESCHYLUS • Greek playwright who introduced several actors. • Wrote 74 plays • Considered the father of tragedy. • Said that Dionysus visited him in his sleep

  11. The Actors • At first there were no actors. • After being introduced there were lead actors, and “dumb roles” • The “Poets” chose their actors until competition • Actors were treated with high respect, often time being addressed as ambassadors.

  12. The Tragic Actor • Used masks to become different characters • Judged by beauty, power and timbre of their voice • Always male • Gesture and movement were broad and stylized • Facial Expession fixed in emotions of pain, anger or sorrow.

  13. The Comic Actor • Usually more actors were in Comedic plays • Wore masks, short boots and phalluses • Engaged in a lot of physical movement, including beatings and wild twirling dances

  14. The Chorus • They dominated the stage ( up to 50 people) • Tragic chorus entered the theatre in a stately march after the prologue • They acted as a whole and would interact with the actor • Trained for almost a full year • Comic Choruses were given more freedom.

  15. VISUAL ELEMENTS

  16. Scenery • High Background with doors • Second level used for heights • Machines for special effects • Scenes were painted on triangular prisms and flat panels • It is believed that this started as the dressing room

  17. Special Effects • Ekkyklema: A platform or wagon used to roll actors on stage while posed. • Mechane: A crane that was used to swing actors on stage.

  18. COSTUMES

  19. Standardized Costume • Loose Fitting long tunic • Fitted Sleeves with a decorative border • Pointed high top boot • Mask • They also carried items to fit their character

  20. Comic Actor • Flesh colored tights • Short Chiton • Visible phallus

  21. Satyr Costumes • Goatskin loincloths • Tail and Phallus • Spotted tights

  22. Masks • Originally used in worship • Covered the entire head and deatiled with color, hair style, beards, ornaments and other features.

  23. Music and Dance • Used to express feelings • Tragic chorus moved in complex patterns • Comic dances consisted of kicking, leaping and spinning • Satyr was a mixture of horseplay and lewd pantomime • Tragic choruses were accompanied by a flute

  24. Audience • Divided into sections from bottom to top • The order was: priests, archons, city officials, generals, the 10 tribes, visiting ambassadors and women • Very emotional

  25. ROMAN THEATRE

  26. Background • The Romans began the Christianity era and took over several colonies • They introduced boxing, chariot races and gladiatorial combats • Began holding musical and dancing events to try and appease the gods.

  27. Plautus • Most renowned Roman Playwright • Wrote comedies • Enjoyed plays of slave outsmarting their master

  28. Roman Drama • At first it was only during certain events • Later they became much more frequent • Mixed together religion and drama • Expenses were taken by the state • Admission was free, however the events were long and there were no refreshments

  29. The Stage • Often set up close to the god they were honoring • Had a semi circular orchestra surrounded by temporary scaffolding • A narrow stage rising five feet above orchestra level • A stage house bounded the back

More Related