1. Ancient Theatre: Greek and Roman

2. The Theatre of Dionysus
built at the beginning of the 5th century
Dionysus: greek god of wine and festivity “God of the fun stuff”

3. Amphitheatres Plays were performed outside
The side of the mountain was scooped out into a bowl shape, and tiers of stone seats were built on the hill.
often seated as many as 20,000

5. Roman Sea Battles Performers actually died!
The largest known sea battle involved 19,000 participants and approximately ½ of them died
Performance spaces are Massive!

6. theatron ="viewing-place”
Word origin for “theatre”
where the audience sits and was usually part of the hillside around the performance space

7. The Greek Chorus

8. The traditional Greek Chorus usually moves and speaks in unison

9. Functions of the chorus
an agent: gives advice, asks, takes part
ideal spectator - reacts as playwright hopes audience would
sets mood and heightens dramatic effects
adds movement, spectacle, song, and dance
pauses / paces the action so that the audience can reflect.

10. OEDIPUS REX

11. Today’s Greek
Chorus

12. Word Origin Thespian= relating to drama/ actor or actress
comes from thespis - a popular greek writer

13. Word Origin
The word “comedy” comes from the Greek word “komos” which means “band of revelers.”

14. The Actors
All of the actors were men. Women were not allowed to participate.
The actors played multiple roles. a wooden, cork, or linen mask was used to show the change in character or mood.
The actor made himself taller by wearing thick soled platform shoes

15. Costumes
standard Greek attire with masks

16. Dionysus Festival
'City Dionysia', a festival of entertainment held in honor of the god Dionysus.
This festival featured competitions in music, dance, plays, and poetry.

17. Communal Involvement The entire city would be in attendance.
All other businesses not directly involved with the 6-day festival would shut down, so that everyone could attend.
The government even offered financial assistance to those who could not afford to attend.

18. And the grand prize…

20. Tragedy
The word tragedy came to be derived from the Greek tragos (goat) and ode (poem). Tragedy literally means goat song or goat poem.