A look into the past…. 8.0 Students will understand context by analyzing the role of theatre in the past and the present.

INTRODUCTION TO GREEK THEATREA look into the past…

STANDARD

8.0 Students will understand context by analyzing the role of

theatre in the past and the present.

OBJECTIVES

Objective 1: To recognize and identify the role that Ancient Greece played in the overall development of theatre through out history.

Objective 2: To identify and correctly use vocabulary words that are associated with Ancient Greek Theatre.

Objective 3: To research and present information on Ancient Greek Theatre to their classmates by creating posters from their research.

STRUCTURE OF GREEK THEATRE

Performed in large open air structures. The core was the orchestra or “dancing

place.” The audience sat in the Theatron or

“seeing “place”. An alter was placed in the middle of the

orchestra.

/Ikria- Wooden Benches

Dancing Place

Thymele: Alter

SEEING PLACE

Low Building

Paradoi (Singular)

/Entrances to orchestra

Ekkyklema: a wheelbarrow for revealing dead bodies killed offstage Paraskenia: Scene

Wall

Odelon: 1st attempt to cover the space with a tarp

Machina: Contraption from flys to deliver an actor (God)

AMPHITHEATRE

DIONYSUS

Dionysus was the god of wine, fertility, and theatre.

Dionysus was the son of Zeus. Considered the patron of the arts. Theatre was created to honor Dionysus.

DIONYSUS

CITY DIONYSIA

The festival celebrating Dionysus. All prisoners were freed. Master of Revels: person who selected the

plays and the order in which they would be presented. He chose the choregoi.

Choregoi: wealthy citizens who paid for plays

Competed to see who could spend the most money.

THE GREEK CHORUS

The Ancient Greeks had a chorus of chanting and dancing men.

Plays were called “dithyrambic chorus” and sometime included up to 50 men.

They sang in story. There were no single actors (yet). They would sing in a narrative way,

“Dionysus did this…Dionysus did that…”

THE CHORUS

THESPIS

Thespis of Icaria was the first actor (534 BC).

The story suggests that Thespis stepped out of the chorus and stated, “I am Dionysus. I did this.”

He spoke as a separate character in the story.

From his name derives the word “Thespian” meaning actor.

GREEK COSTUMES

Actors wore masks and costumes. High boots (cothurnus) were often worn

with robes (chiton). Masks had funnels in front to serve as a

microphones. Boots, masks, & costumes, were all

exaggerated to reach a large crowd.

COSTUMES

COSTUMES

PLAYWRIGHTS

Aeschylus: The 1st dramatist. Relied on the chorus and used themes of myth and religion. Introduced the 2nd actor.

Sophocles: Introduced the 3rd actor. Reduced the chorus from 50 to 12. Wrote about character relationships not myth.

Euripides: Plays about good vs evil. Chorus was less important and served as playwright’s voice.

TRAGIC FLAW

The flaw in a character that ultimately brings about his or her downfall.

GREEK THEATRE PROJECT

Overview: In a group of 5, you and your team mates will use the provided information to develop a presentation on one aspect of Ancient Greek Theatre.

Steps: 1. Read the information individually and highlight the

important points that you want to include in your presentation.

2. Share what you highlighted with your group and choose what will go on the poster.

3.Decide who will perform what role. 4. Create a poster to use during your presentation. 5. Present your poster and important points to the class.

GROUP ROLES

•Leader/Editor: In charge of organizing the final product of the project. That doesn't mean technical details, but of making sure that the project meets the standards set out by the instructor.

•Recorder/Secretary: This person takes notes and keeps track of group data. This person distributes these notes to the rest of the group highlighting sections relevant for their parts of the project.

•Checker: Someone needs to double-check data for accuracy and correctness.

•Spokesperson: This person would be responsible for the technical details of the final product and would be ready to summarize the group's progress and findings to the instructor and to the group.

•Facilitator/Time Keeper: This student gets discussion moving and keeps it moving, often by asking the other group members questions, and keeping the group on time.■After the assignment is complete, you will be asked to reflect on your role in the group.