Intro to theatre history

INTRO TO THEATRE HISTORYTheatrical Beginnings

TO UNDERSTAND THE ORIGINS OF THEATRE HISTORY AND TO BE ABLE TO PUT THAT KNOWLEDGE INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PANTOMIME.

-OBJECTIVE

8.0 STUDENTS WILL UNDERSTAND CONTEXT BY ANALYZING THE ROLE OF THEATRE IN THE PAST AND THE PRESENT.-STANDARD

WHAT MADE THEATRE AN INEVITABLE ART FORM?

Discussion Question

Inevitable: Certain to happen or unavoidable

KEY TERMS Oral Tradition: (storytelling) cultural material

and traditions transmitted orally from one generation to another

Myth: A traditional story concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon that typically involves supernatural beings or events

Myth Making: A story that reveals and shares universal human experience

Ritual: Actions designed to give significance to human events

Mime: To convey idea or feeling by gesture and movement, without using words.

THE ORIGIN OF THEATRE Theatre began as a reenactment of worship. Human beings became aware that outside

forces controlled their food supply, weather conditions, and the movement of animals.

Theatre was created to appease these forces. Theatrical Ritual was performed by the elders

and priests so that the outcome would be more effective.

They used makeup and special costumes to become “someone or something else”.

They were also used to recreate past deeds in order to teach the young.

HOW DID EARLY PEOPLE EXPRESS THEMSELVES? Early societies released the impulse to play

through tribal expressions of hope, joy, fear, & sorrow.

When early people felt strongly, they used mime and dance.

There was no spoken or written language. Theatre began with cavemen.

Cavemen performed rituals such as “The Hunt”. The Hunt: The first hunters recounted their

adventures using pantomime Even before a written language existed, they

painted stories onto cave walls.

ORIGIN The history of drama is closely related to the

history of humanity. Story tellers told tales in rhythmic chants. Primitive actors would later use masks to

portray gods and animals. Before there was written or spoken language,

tribal members used demonstrations, mime, and primitive noises to communicate.

This communication and ritual worship marks the birth of theatre.

HISTORICAL PRIMITIVE HUMANS

SOCIETY’S VIEW OF PRIMITIVE HUMANS

ORIGINS OF THEATRE VIDEO http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QwS7LRT63M&playnext=1&list=PL544AFE2CA82E923D&feature=results_main

ASSIGNMENT:WITH A PARTNER, THINK ABOUT “THE HUNT”. WHAT MIGHT THESE STORIES HAVE LOOKED LIKE WHILE THEY WERE BEING TOLD? WRITE OUT (IN AT LEAST 8 SENTENCES) WHAT THESE STORIES MIGHT HAVE INCLUDED.

Things to consider: How far did he travel? What animal did he hunt? What weapon did he use (fire, arrowheads, spears)? How many tries did it take? How difficult was it? Was he alone or with other people? How did he get the animal back to camp?

ASSIGNMENT:IN A GROUP OF 4, ACT OUT “THE HUNT” AS IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN DONE BY PRIMITIVE PEOPLE. RULES:

1. NO TALKING. ONLY PRIMITIVE NOISES.

2. USE PANTOMIME.3. DRAG THE ANIMAL HOME3. TELL THE STORY OF HOW YOU KILLED THE ANIMAL

THAT YOU ARE BRINGING BACK TO YOUR FAMILY TO PROVIDE FOR THEM.

4. EVERYONE PARTICIPATES