1. Theatre History Project

2. Project Goals
Educate the class on your time period of theatre history and transport us to that period by:
Present an overview of theatre during your time.
Building a model of what a theatre looked like for your time period.
Performing a piece of a play from your time period.
Having an element of period costuming.
Prepare a quiz for the class.

3. Project Details 3-4 people in the group
Equally shared responsibilities among the members of the group.
Use class time effectively.

4. Project Details Present an overview of theatre during your time.
(Must include an oral presentation-individual or group and a visual presentation— PowerPoint, poster, etc.)

5. Project Details
Building a model of what a theatre looked like for your time period.
(You must bring whatever materials you wish to use. I can provide a hot glue gun and glue and scissors. You can use clay, wood, cardboard, paper, etc.)

6. Project Details Performing a piece of a play from your time period.
(Perform a 3-5 minute scene. Check with me about getting a copy of the play you want to use.)

7. Project Details Having elements of period costuming. (This can be:
* 2 colored, detailed sketches, (each full size on 81/2” x 11” paper), or
*actual “costumes” you wear, or
*dolls/ models dressed in costumes you created).
***The more detail, effort and time you put into this, the better your grade for it. You may check with me any time to see if you are on the right track.

8. Project Details Prepare a quiz for the class.
(20 Multiple Questions that you will administer and grade.)

9. Project Details Extra Credit Opportunity:
Provide food treats for the class that fit your time period.
(Must be shared with all the class. Must not be messy. Must bring utensils, napkins, etc. if needed.)

10. Project Grading Time Period Presentation Overview – 25 pts
This project is divided into 5 major components:
Time Period Presentation Overview – 25 pts
Theatre Model – 25 pt
Costume- 25 pts
Play Performance – 25 pts
Quiz – 10 pts
TOTAL-110 pts

11. Periods/Categories of Theatre History
Ancient Greece
Medieval Theatre
Italian Renaissance
Elizabethan Theatre
19th century
1920s-30s
1940s-50s
1960s-70s
1980s-90s
BROADWAY MUSICALS

12. Ancient Greece Life in Greece Stone or clay houses
Food: Healthy. Bread, beans, fresh fruit, vegetables, fish.
Clothing: Light loose garments, tunics, loincloth, barefoot/sandals, jewelry.
Activities: Festivals - races, wrestling, boxing, javelin, etc. Olympic Games!

13. HAVE FUN!!!!

14. Ancient Greece Theatre ORIGINATED in ancient Greece.
Theatre in Greece
Theatre ORIGINATED in ancient Greece.
Religious ceremonies to the god Dionysus eventually were written down and became plays.
Plays had loud music, bright colors, extensive dancing.

16. Ancient Greece A chorus narrated the play. Only males could be actors!
Theatre in Greece (cont.)
A chorus narrated the play.
Only males could be actors!
Wore masks & costumes.
The structure was an outdoor theatre.
Famous Greek playwrights include Sophocles.

17. Medieval Theatre Life in the Middle Ages
Houses: Timber frame with woven twigs, clay and straw.
Food: Geese, chicken, beef, lamb, etc. available to the rich. The poor were reliant on bread, peas and beans.
Clothing: Barbarians wore fur, wool, leather. Knights wore coat of arms. Tunics, cloaks.
Activities: Fairs, knight tournaments like jousts, acrobatics, chess, checkers, taverns.

18. Medieval Theatre Medieval Drama
Largely tied into the Catholic church. A lot of plays based on Biblical history and legends of the saints.
Plays commonly staged in pageant wagons – stages on wheels.
Most famous play from Medieval times is “Everyman”.

19. Italian Renaissance Life in the Italian Renaissance
Houses: Architecture gained importance. Columns, arches and domes were frequently used.
Food: Bread, hard biscuits, wine, rice, pasta, lasagna, ravioli, pizza.
Clothing: Women – underdress, tight bodice, high waisted skirts. Veils, ribbons, floral garlands. Men – shirts with flowing sleeves, doublets.
Activities: arts, literature, politics, philosophy emphasized.

20. Italian Renaissance Commedia dell’arte
Comic improv performed by professional troupes.
Created plot outlines, not scripts.
Specific character types that were identified by their costumes and masks.
Example: Pantalone was a middle-aged or elderly man – the father or husband. Arlecchino was the schemer or prankster.

21. Elizabethan Theatre
Life in the Elizabethan Renaissance
Houses: mix of royal estates, great homes, country homes and farmhouses, depending on social class.
Food: Bread, cider, wine, pretzels, cheesecakes, puddings
Clothing: Women – ruffled dresses with tight bodices, pendants. Men – jerkins (vests), loose fit knickers, silk stockings, hats.
Activities: instrumental music, dancing, plays, dice, cards, golf, horse racing, tennis, archery … and yes – public hangings!

22. Elizabethan Theatre
Elizabethan Drama
William Shakespeare! Known as the best dramatist of all time.
Christopher Marlowe and Ben Jonson were also popular playwrights.
Plays were intended to be seen, not read. An emotional experience designed to get a reaction from the audience.
Theatres: three stories for audience seating, acting area was a platform, open area in the middle, groundlings sat in the pit.

23. Kabuki Theatre Life in Japan
Houses: Pit-dwelling house (columns in the ground surrounded by grass), elevated house, shiden-zuriki (garden home), shoin- zuriki (samurai home)
Food: rice, noodles, fish, vegetables, fruits
Clothing: kimono
Activities: tea ceremonies, floral artwork, theatre, anime, classical music

24. Kabuki Theatre Kabuki Drama Started in the 1500’s, still around today.
250 year ban on actresses.
Historical dramas (warrior stories) and domestic dramas (life of the commoner)
Stylized, beauty emphasized, lines have a sing- song quality, colorful, music incorporated.

25. Kabuki Theatre Kabuki Drama (cont.)
Theatre: Revolving stage for quick scene changes, flower path raised passageway, proscenium, curtains.
White makeup, often with red or blue bold lines.

26. Getting Started – Day One Goals
Break into groups of 4.
Discuss which time period interests your group.
Turn in your top 2 choices to Ms. P.
FOR INFORMATION ON YOUR PERIOD...
Consult your theatre history packets which Mr. Bogner will give to you!