I NTRO TO THEATRE HISTORY Theatrical Beginnings

T O UNDERSTAND THE ORIGINS OF THEATRE HISTORY AND TO BE ABLE TO PUT THAT KNOWLEDGE INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PANTOMIME. -OBJECTIVE

8.0 S TUDENTS WILL UNDERSTAND CONTEXT BY ANALYZING THE ROLE OF THEATRE IN THE PAST AND THE PRESENT. -STANDARD

W HAT MADE THEATRE AN INEVITABLE ART FORM ? Discussion Question Inevitable: Certain to happen or unavoidable

K EY T ERMS Oral Tradition: (storytelling) cultural material and traditions transmitted orally from one generation to another Myth: A traditional story concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon that typically involves supernatural beings or events Myth Making: A story that reveals and shares universal human experience Ritual: Actions designed to give significance to human events Mime: To convey idea or feeling by gesture and movement, without using words.

T HE O RIGIN OF T HEATRE Theatre began as a reenactment of worship. Human beings became aware that outside forces controlled their food supply, weather conditions, and the movement of animals. Theatre was created to appease these forces. Theatrical Ritual was performed by the elders and priests so that the outcome would be more effective. They used makeup and special costumes to become “someone or something else”. They were also used to recreate past deeds in order to teach the young.

H OW DID EARLY PEOPLE EXPRESS THEMSELVES ? Early societies released the impulse to play through tribal expressions of hope, joy, fear, & sorrow. When early people felt strongly, they used mime and dance. There was no spoken or written language. Theatre began with cavemen. Cavemen performed rituals such as “The Hunt”. The Hunt: The first hunters recounted their adventures using pantomime Even before a written language existed, they painted stories onto cave walls.

O RIGIN The history of drama is closely related to the history of humanity. Story tellers told tales in rhythmic chants. Primitive actors would later use masks to portray gods and animals. Before there was written or spoken language, tribal members used demonstrations, mime, and primitive noises to communicate. This communication and ritual worship marks the birth of theatre.

H ISTORICAL P RIMITIVE H UMANS

S OCIETY ’ S VIEW OF PRIMITIVE HUMANS

O RIGINS OF THEATRE V IDEO M&playnext=1&list=PL544AFE2CA82E923D&fe ature=results_main

A SSIGNMENT : WITH A PARTNER, THINK ABOUT “ THE HUNT ”. W HAT MIGHT THESE STORIES HAVE LOOKED LIKE WHILE THEY WERE BEING TOLD ? W RITE OUT ( IN AT LEAST 8 SENTENCES ) WHAT THESE STORIES MIGHT HAVE INCLUDED. Things to consider: How far did he travel? What animal did he hunt? What weapon did he use (fire, arrowheads, spears)? How many tries did it take? How difficult was it? Was he alone or with other people? How did he get the animal back to camp?

A SSIGNMENT : I N A GROUP OF 4, ACT OUT “ THE HUNT ” AS IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN DONE BY PRIMITIVE PEOPLE. R ULES : 1. N O T ALKING. O NLY PRIMITIVE NOISES. 2. U SE P ANTOMIME. 3. D RAG THE ANIMAL HOME 3. T ELL THE STORY OF HOW YOU KILLED THE ANIMAL THAT YOU ARE BRINGING BACK TO YOUR FAMILY TO PROVIDE FOR THEM. 4. E VERYONE P ARTICIPATES