A Greek Theater
Altar-used for sacrifices to Dionysis Orchestra- circular acting area-66 ft in diameter Theatron-the raked audience seating “seeing place” Parados-entrance Skene-used for scenery, prop, costume storage, change room Outdoor amphitheaters with sun for lighting Built into hill for raked seating, facing a scene of natural beauty 15,000-17,000 spectators
Greek theater at Delphi
Epidaurus Theater
Theater of Dionysis
Greek Precinct
Greek Special Effects Deus ex machina-crane, used to fly Gods Ekkyklema-platform with wheels, used to roll out dead bodies-reveal a tableaux
Ekklyklema and Machina
Ekklyklema
How was Greek Theatre performed?
Chorus
Chorus Consisted of 12-15 men in tragedy 24 men in comedy functioned as one saying lines in unison Left over from dithyramb Represented citizens of city-state Audience related to chorus Sung and danced All wore same mask Function of Chorus: give exposition (background info), interact with characters, comment on action, give moral and theme of play, describe offstage action, raise philosophical questions, urge main characters to show restraint
Costumes Ornate and elaborate tunics designed to make characters appear large for tragedies. Everyday or over exaggerated clothing for comedies.
Masks
Masks Covered whole head Amplified voice Detailed (hair) Showed character Made character easily recognizable 1 actor could play multiple roles Showed emotion
Music flute-with tone like modern oboe or clarinet lyre, trumpet, percussion sometimes for special effects flute player or playwright composed music (unsure) to create mood (like scores to film)
Dance any expressive rhythmical movement perhaps moment by moment symbolic gestures orchestra-meaning dancing place
Acting Impossible to know for sure Not realistic, due to masks and men playing female roles and one actor playing multiple Lottery for best actors because it is impossible to discern the quality of a play with bad acting Dancelike movement and chanting Voice most important- not realistic but emotional tone, beauty, and adaptability stylized, exaggerated, symbolic gestures
The Greek Theater Altar Orchestra Theatron Parados Skene
Greek Performance Special effects-ekklyklema, mechane Chorus-functional to plot Masks Costumes Acting