History of Theatre Arts: Part 1

Drama Greek word meaning “to do” or “to act” Born out of the dance ceremonies of primitive people before Greek civilization

Egyptian Theatre Ritualistic rites = our idea of a play 3000 B.C. Egyptian people were concerned about life after death, which was illustrated in their dramas Plays were written for important events (coronation of a new pharaoh)

Hebrew Theatre No substantial evidence of definite theatre in Judea. Biblical literature has theatrical elements: Job= 5 act play with prologue and epilogue Song of Solomon= chanting/ poetic dialogue

Greek Theatre Unsurpassed legacy of theatre The Classic (Golden Age) of Greece brought the greatest tragedies of all time 500-400 B.C. Religious homage to Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility Ritual dancing and singing developed tragedy (tragos- “goat song”) Greek Festivals lasted for days

Greek Theatre Comedies komos meaning “a band of revelers” and tragedies took place during festival Plays were performed outdoors Sloping hill – amphitheatre Held up to 20,000 people Far away from audience: Rhetorical Platform shoes Masks Megaphones

Greek Theatre Costumes Simple staging – scenery painted on boards Mantels Simple staging – scenery painted on boards Greek tragedies were based on ancient myths (well known to audience) Modeled many elements of Aristotle Playwriting contests

Greek Playwrights First tragedian to win prize: Thespis First to add a leader to the “chorus” Leader became first Greek actor Thespian- another word for actor Aeschylus (525-456 B.C.) Father of Tragedy Greatest tragic poet of all time Invented the trilogy and added a second actor to the plays Character : Prometheus

Greek Playwrights Sophocles (496-406 B.C.) Great writer of tragedies Handsome, well-educated, multi-talented Wrote more than 100 scripts and won 18 festivals Electra, Oedipus Rex, and Antigone

Greek Playwrights Euripides (480-406 B.C.) Boxing and painting Retired to a cave overlooking the sea Unorthodox thinker who questioned religious ideas First to humanize drama by appealing to the emotions Medea

Greek Comedies Aristophanes (448-380 B.C.) Menander (342-291 B.C.) The finest comic writer of ancient Greece Satire Wrote about public life The Birds, the Frogs, and the Clouds Menander (342-291 B.C.) Wrote about domestic or private life In 1957 his complete work The Curmudgeon was discovered.

Greek to Roman Caesar’s armies marched over the land  Greek drama begin to deteriorate. Romans established their theatre from the seeds of Greek drama.

Roman Theatre Began with crude, native drama… Replaced with adaptations and translations of Greek plays. Aristocracy frowned upon theatre Audiences were lower class Scoffed intellectuals and artists; demanded spectacle and vulgarity Greek theatre became decadent & hollow

Roman Theatre Playhouses were portable wooden platforms 61B.C.: Pompey built auditorium Caesar ordered playhouse to be built The Romans were first to use a front curtain 2 Roman playwrights to note: Seneca (4BC-65AD): gory dramatist who wrote closet drama Plautus (254-184 BC): plays influenced Shakespeare and others

Roman Theatre Production of plays were soon overshadowed by spectacles: Gladiatorial contests Killing of Christians and slaves When Rome fell, the Christian church banned all theatrical activity

Chinese Theatre 2000 BC Interpretative dance Dance that tells a story Religious rituals Eventually a school for actors was founded- Ming Huang Drama was highly formal Ancestor worship, military glory, and faithfulness to a husband

Chinese Theatre When Mongols invaded drama changed Demanded action, acrobatic stunts, songs and dances These dramas came to be known as “traditional theatre” Most acting is done by men Acting is regarded as a life study Graceful movements Symbolic props

Japanese Theatre- Noh Based on ritualistic dance of Shinto religion Noh plays appeared in the 14th century Written in a formal, classical language Meant for aristocrats Short, serious, philosophical studies combined with poetry, dance and music Scenery in Noh consists of one tapestry hung on back wall

Japanese Theatre- Bunraku 17th century Doll Theatre Wooden marionettes Elaborately costumed

Japanese Theatre- Kabuki Japanese drama of the common man Incorporates song and dance More melodramatic and sensational than Noh drama Actors enter from flowerway Ramp that extends through audience Colorful, extravagant Acting skill is all-important

Hindu Theatre 1500 B.C. Dialogue was used in religious hymns Brahma invented theatre Plays were composed in high class language Scenery was a decorated wall with doors leading to the greenroom Hindu theatre is very intimate, delicate and retrained First to permit women to act on stage