Theory Lesson 1

L/O: What are the origins of theatre?

• Rituals 
• Developed rights of passage 
• Big events turned into ceremonies
• Current rituals include 
• England = 5th November 
• New Zealand = Haka 

• Greece 
• Stage format became known as a theatre 
• Amphitheatre

• Semi circular 
• Sound would carry up without needing amplification
• Tiered stone seatings 
• Can hold up to 18,000 spectators 

• First Theatre in Dionysus in Athens 

• To celebrate the God of harvest and wine
• Sail and come together in Athens 
• Come to watch a competition 
• 3 Chosen plays performed 
• Sponsored by a rich-man 

• The Chorus 
• Group of actors (12)
• Chanted, sang and danced 
• Performed in the orchestra 
• Provide perspective of community 

• Performing 
• Masks 
• Spoken or sung in rhyme 
• Exaggerated gestures 
• Hoisted above stage 

• Comedy and Tragedy 
• Actors were men or boys 
• Sometimes satyr was performed 
• Comedy 
• Making fun of authority or Gods
• Tragedy
• Morals between right and wrong 
• Consequences 
• Passed down through history 
• 2,500 years later still studying 
• Satyr
• Mythical 
• Rude comedy 

• Physical Structure of Greek Theatre
• Famous Playwrights 
• Aeschylus 
• Sophocles 
• Euripides  
• Masks 
• Religious ritual 
• African dancing related to Greek Theatre 
• Enable to change character 
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