Theatre History - Acting

Primitive Man - aware of outside forces that control their existence developed rituals to recognize these ‘forces’ Rituals – demonstrated a form of knowledge, educational, entertainment, or glorify Example: “Acting out” a successful hunt for the tribe, or sitting around a fire impersonating, re-telling real events or mythology

Deity System of belief Coronation Rituals, Plays Abydos Passion Play THE EGYPTIANS. 3500 – 3000 B.C. Deity System of belief Coronation Rituals, Plays Abydos Passion Play

The Greeks 8 and 6 centuries 534 B.C. – Festival and Contest at the City Dionysis Thespis – winner – given credit for the invention of drama, First tragedy Tragedy translates into “goat song” Came from dithyrambs, songs and dances

Roman Theatre Heavily influenced by the Greeks Comedy more popular No more chorus Added music accompaniment to dialogue Tragedy – noble deeds, horror, vice, blood

Naumachiae (sea battles) ROMAN THEATRE Popular forms of Roman entertainment Chariot Races Gladiators Wild Animal Fights Mime, Pantomime Naumachiae (sea battles)

ROMAN THEATRE Introduction of the “archetype” character Old man Young man in love who rebels against authority Clever or cunning slave Stupid Slave Hanger-on or flatterer Courtesan Braggart Soldier

Middle Ages 1050 – 1300 Towns began forming, mostly for protection Kings and Princes began to take control Universities took the place of monasteries as places of learning Plays only read in school, never performed.

Middle Ages Church realized public was uneducated Started ‘acting out’ Biblical scenes Liturgical Drama – during services, in Latin Vernacular Drama – Common language, performed outside of church

Medieval Theatre 1350 - 1550 Church gave up active participation in Theatre Acting troupes travelled town to town, each actor supplied own costume Cycle Plays – Wagons pull into town, park in a circle pattern, each wagon acts out a different episode of a play. Townspeople walk between wagons.

Medieval Theatre 1350 - 1550 Types of Medieval Plays Morality Play – Taught a moral lesson worried about man’s after life, lectured about seven deadly sins Miracle Play – Portrayed the lives of the church’s saints and martyrs. Mystery Play – Acted out episodes from the Bible.

Revival of all things Greek and Roman Renaissance Revival of all things Greek and Roman Neoclassicism 1. Verisimilitude – appearance of truth, real life, no fantasy, no supernatural 2. Teach a moral lesson 3. Three unities – Action, Time, Place one plot, one hour, one place

Renaissance Commedia dell’Arte Traveling troupe, 10 – 15 actors Improvisation and Stock Characters Stock Character - the same characteristics, same type of person, performing in a different situation each time

Renaissance Young Lovers – straight characters, dressed in white Zanni – servants or best friends, silly, offbeat Capitano – braggart, coward, likes to boast Pantalone – merchant, mask with large hooked nose Dottore – academic, uses Latin phrases wrong Harlequin – mischief maker, diamond costume, black mask, carried a slapstick

Renaissance Court Masques – think Cinderella going to the ball Usually lasted a several days or a week Short plays, singing, dancing, eating Usually to honor one person or one event

America Set up like a variety show Became known as Vaudeville Most popular form of entertainment in America Performers sat in a semi-circle “Tambo” and “Bones” – masters of ceremony

Realism 1860 – 1900’s Moscow Arts Theater Konstantin Stanislavsky – 1936 - An Actor Prepares “The Method” – a school of acting training

Realism Stanislavsky – An actor’s body should be trained for all demands. Actors should be schooled in all stage techniques. An actor should be an observer of reality. Inner Justification and Emotional Recall