1. Greek Theater

2. Going to the Theater Plays originated in Athens around 550 B.C, as songs and dances performed by men at religious festivals in honor of the god Dionysus (god of Wine and Harvest).Plays originated in Athens around 550 B.C, as songs and dances performed by men at religious festivals in honor of the god Dionysus (god of Wine and Harvest).

3. Going to the Theater Theatre was a really big deal in ancient Greece.Theatre was a really big deal in ancient Greece. Crowds of 15,000 people would gather to watch (all men)!Crowds of 15,000 people would gather to watch (all men)! Even prisoners would be released from jail temporarily to attend. Even prisoners would be released from jail temporarily to attend. Every town had a least one theatre. Every town had a least one theatre.

4. The Talent Only 2 or 3 men would act in each play. Young boys would play women.Only 2 or 3 men would act in each play. Young boys would play women. Actors would play several roles just by changing masks.Actors would play several roles just by changing masks. The masks had large holes in the mouth and eyes.The masks had large holes in the mouth and eyes.

5. The Talent Chorus – made up of 12 to 15 men who would narrate and reflect on the action.Chorus – made up of 12 to 15 men who would narrate and reflect on the action. They sang and sometimes acted as extras in the play.They sang and sometimes acted as extras in the play.

6. The Structure The Greeks built huge outdoor theatres on hillsides in a semi-circular shape with rows of tiered stone seating around it.The Greeks built huge outdoor theatres on hillsides in a semi-circular shape with rows of tiered stone seating around it. excellent viewexcellent view better for hearingbetter for hearing

7. The Structure The seating was call theatrons (is the origin of our word theater).The seating was call theatrons (is the origin of our word theater). The center of the theater was a circular dancing floor (orchestra)The center of the theater was a circular dancing floor (orchestra)

8. The Structure Parados – actors wait in these corridors before going on stageParados – actors wait in these corridors before going on stage Skene – a raised stage and backdrop, actors went behind to change masksSkene – a raised stage and backdrop, actors went behind to change masks

9. Types of Greek plays Tragedies – character suffering a disastrous endTragedies – character suffering a disastrous end Comedies – dramas with happy endingsComedies – dramas with happy endings Satire – plays that made fun of great legendsSatire – plays that made fun of great legends

10. Structure of a Greek Play 1) Prologue: Spoken by one or two characters before the chorus appears. The prologue usually gives the mythological background necessary for understanding the events of the play. 2) Parodos: This is the song sung by the chorus as it first enters the orchestra and dances. 3) First Episode: This is the first of many "episodes", when the characters and chorus talk.

11. 4) First Stasimon: At the end of each episode, the other characters usually leave the stage and the chorus dances and sings a stasimon, or choral ode. The ode usually reflects on the things said and done in the episodes For the rest of the play, there is alternation between episodes and stasima, until the final scene, called the... 5) Exodos: At the end of play, the chorus exits singing a processional song which usually offers words of wisdom related to the actions and outcome of the play. Structure of a Greek Play

12. Sophocles Was a famous Greek playwrightWas a famous Greek playwright Sophocles wrote 120 playsSophocles wrote 120 plays Increased the size of the chorusIncreased the size of the chorus Used 3 actors instead of twoUsed 3 actors instead of two Plays had better structure playsPlays had better structure plays More believable characters in the playsMore believable characters in the plays Plays were more realisticPlays were more realistic