Greek Theatre

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Greek Theatre

• Developed in Athens, Greece -- 5th Century B.C.
• Emerged as a DITHYRAMB
• A Highly Stylized Choral Ode sung by a group of
  individuals. Used as a celebration of the gods.
• DITHYRAMBS were used to worship the God Dionysus

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Dionysus The Greek God of Wine, Fertility, and
Theatre

• Son of mythical god Zeus and mortal Semele
• Was fabled to have been killed and revived,
  suggesting Egyptian influence
• Fable is cyclical (suggesting cycle of
  lifebirth,maturation,death,rebirth)
• Greeks assigned responsibility for all things
  cyclical to Dionysus (yearly cycle)
• Wine and celebration resulted in unrestrained
  festivals

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Development of the Dithyramb

• Initially the poet who wrote the dithyramb became
  the first solo speaker
• As time progressed a second speaker was added.
• Finally the Greek style of theatre became
  complete with the third actor.

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Drama Competitions are Formed

• Competitions were similar to the Olympics in
  their intensity
• Usually lasted for many days
• Poets entered their material.
• 3 tragedies and a comedy
• 3 tragedies and a comedy
• The poets (who were also the first actors) would
  compete for the laurels (like the Olympics).
  Poets that won were given great honor, and
  eventually became supported by the government.
• --Thus we have the acting profession

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Thespis The first Actor

• Thespis is the first playwright, solo actor
  director on record.
• Thespis received the first tragedy prize in
  Greece in 534 B.C.
• We still use the term thespian to refer to
  theatre artists today.

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The Traditional form of Greek Theatre

• Prologos (intro scene)
• Parados (lyric chorus entrance)
• Episodes (dramatic scenes divided by choral
  odes)
• Stasimon (final-style choral ode)
• Exodus (chorus final exit dialogue

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The Layout of the Greek Theatre
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Theatre Architecture

• Outdoors
• Set into the side of a hill
• Allowed for sightlines as well as acoustic
• Seats were carved into the hill, are created out
  of stone
• Audience members were seated by their rank in
  society rather than the cost of their ticket.

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The Layout of the Theatre

• Theatron Audience
• Literally means viewing place

• Orchestra Acting Area, literally means dancing
  place

• Parados Entrance areas for actors and chorus.
  Literally passageways

• Skene Scenery. Literally Tent

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The Theatre at Epidaurus
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The Theatre at Epidaurus

• A view from inside

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The Theatre at Gytheion
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Theatre at Egira