ANCIENT GREEK THEATRE Theatre began during the Golden Age of Greece (5 th Century B.C.) Theatre began during the Golden Age of Greece (5 th Century B.C.) Each year in the spring the Greeks celebrated The Dionyseia, a festival of rebirth Each year in the spring the Greeks celebrated The Dionyseia, a festival of rebirth
DIONYSUS DIONYSUS, THE GOD OF WINE & FERTILITY
Performers are dressed as satyrs wearing goat skins…
THE AMPHITHEATRE THE THEATRON ALTAR ORCHESTRA PARADOS ( PARADOI ) SKINA
TRAGODIA = “GOAT SONG” = TRAGEDY
5- DAY FESTIVAL DAY 1: Procession of Dionysus DAYS 2-4: Play presentations Each day: 3 tragedies 1 satyrlude 1 comedy DAY 5: Parade again
THE WINNERS? Best tragedy?Best comedy? A JUG OF WINE OR A BASKET OF FIGS A GOAT
First actor and playwright to win the contest? Thespis thespian= actor
THE GREEK ACTOR Professionals Males Incredible projection 3 actors cover all roles
THE FUNCTIONS OF THE CHORUS A single actor Moral or ethical framework (narrator) A spectator Scenery/ atmosphere
COSTUMES Elaborate Religious Masks (allow for actors to double up on roles)
SCENERY MACHINA PERIAKTOI
Aeschylus Theme: Suffering and what we learn from it Trilogy: The Oresteia Trivia OUCH!!
Sophocles Theme: Forgetting religion will lead to decay and destruction Play: Oedipus Rex Trivia
Euripedes Themes: anti- war; women’s rights; breaking the class structure Play: Medea Trivia