1. Theatre History PowerPoint 2
Greek Theatre
Theatre History
PowerPoint 2

2. Sophocles Great writer of Greek tragedy 496-406 B.C. Lived in Athens
Studied theatre arts
Entered the theatrical competition that honored the god Dionysus as an actor and a playwright
Wrote 123 plays, 24 first prize, rest second

3. Sophocles

4. First to have 3 actors on stage at the same time
Increased number of singers in the chorus
Used ancient tales to comment on his own time period
7 tragedies survived: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonnus, Antigone, and Electra

5. Greek Theatre Festival of Dionysus- annual theatrical competition
Chorus- group of performers who provided commentary and moved the action of play through song, dance, and speaking
Linked with ritual and the social and political system

6. Theatre Space
Large open theatre that was built into the side of a hill
Held 14,000 to 15,000 on wooden bleachers
Performances occurred during the day
4th century BC a permanent space, made of stone, was completed

7. Orchestra- circular area with an altar in the center
Skene (modern- scene): building behind the orchestra which served as a setting
Proskenion (modern- proscenium)- in front of the skene, framed the stage

8. Sketch of a Greek Theatre

10. Greek Theatre in Athens

11. Performers
Large theatre– needed more than facial expression and vocal inflection
Used large gestures and Masks
Masks could be seen from the top row
Theory- some believe the masks help to project the voice like a megaphone

12. Three Actors played all the leading roles through the use of masks
No female actors
Chorus- approx. 15 performers
No stage directions in the original text, so we are not sure of the exact movement of the actors in relation to the chorus

13. Costumes Same everyday clothing with some additions
They wore robes made of woven wool or linen that were draped and layered
Simple rectangle shape
Consisted of different colors and sometimes embroidery
Used laces, pins, or belts to hold them in place

14. They wore sandals
Men (esp. soldiers)- calf boots
Lead performers would change their mask and possibly add on a robe to portray different characters
The Chorus were most likely dressed alike or in similar robes and masks

15. Ancient Greek Attire

17. Masks

18. Antigone by Sophocles Winthrop University

21. Sources
Taylor, Robert D. and Robert D. Strickland. Theatre Art in Action. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005.