1. A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology (Greek Theatre)
All modern stages evolved from the theatres of ancient Greece.
Theatron – “auditorium” – steeply raked (slanted) seating area for an audience
Orchestra – a circular playing area, surrounded by the audience on 3 sides
Skene – “scenery” – 2-story stage house behind the orchestra, assumed to house props/costumes, machinery, or dressing rooms
Paraskenia – long, high walls that extended on either side of and parallel to the skene
A diagram of an ancient Greek theatre.
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2. A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology (Greek Theatre)
Eccyclema – wheeled platform used to bring out set pieces
Periaktoi – three-sided pieces which rotated on a central pivot, used to change backgrounds quickly
Machina – basket or platform lowered to the orchestra from the second story of the skene, used for gods traveling to and from Earth
Pinakes – painted panels hung from the skene, similar to modern flats
WHEN FINISHED: Put your stuff under the Promethean board & hang your poster in a location relevant to the info. Then return to the Black Box for further instruction!
A model of an Ancient Greek stage area, showing periaktoi and the machina.
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3. A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology (Roman Theatre)
Roman theatres were simply modified versions of Greek theatre structures: they compressed the theatron, orchestra, and skene into one structure.
Cavea – audience seating, limited to only a semi-circular structure and separated from the orchestra by a short wall
Scaenae frons – evolved from the skene, an elaborately decorated façade as tall as the cavea
A roof often extended above the stage area.
Velum – awning sometimes covering the seating area
A Roman theatre in Syria. Notice the differences between this setup and the Greek design.
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4. A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology (Roman Theatre)
Periaktoi were used, but were painted with generic backgrounds for comedy, tragedy, and satyr (satire).
Two types of curtains were introduced:
Auleum – front curtain that in early theatres was lowered into a trough at the front of the stage; in later theatres it was raised above the stage on ropes.
Siparium – hung at the back of the stage to provide a background; unknown if it was painted or not.
Little evidence exists that machinery was used in theatre, but amphitheatres (like the Colosseum) did use complex machines such as elevators and moving scenery.
A Roman theatre in Syria. Notice the differences between this setup and the Greek design.
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5. A Brief History of Theatre Architecture & Stage Technology (Theatre On Hold)
The Roman Empire fell in 476 C.E.
Theatres were essentially abandoned after this time.
For nearly 500 years, formal theatre was essentially dead – THE DARK AGES.
Performance traditions were kept alive by travelling entertainers like jugglers and actors.
Performances took place in any space that could hold an audience: courtyards, village squares, and other temporary stage locations.
An abandoned theatre. HOW SAD! 5