Origin 1. How did Greek Theatre develop? Greek Theatre developed at the festival of Dionysous, as a dedication to the respective God. Masks and costumes were used - mostly in the form of satyrs.
2. What were the first types of Greek Theatre? It was said the followers of Dionysous were half-goat, half-men (satyrs) and mad women. The Greeks used to dress up as said characters for religious purposes, and this often included singing and dancing.
3. How did this change? This changed when Thespis, a priest, stood out of the chorus - and spoke words on his own. He acted out a small Dionusous myth, through words. This became popular, and a theatre for tragedy was built in Athens. These so called performances became competitive, and around 500BC it was introduced in a new tradition - 'the Dionysian festival'.
4. What was the winner of the festival awarded? To win the festival was a great honour, and quite often money was given to the actors and writers from the state.
Chorus 1. What was the role of the chorus? The chorus were put in place to be the relaying of society's views, and are often found talking to the main actors giving advice and telling them what they should do. They were also used to increase an emotion of an actor ten-fold, so they would have been happy were the main character happy, and sorrowful if the main actor was depressed.
2. How many were there? At first the chorus consisted of 12 men, but grew to include 15 eventually.
3. Who were they? The chorus consisted of men - no women - that had enlisted with the play writer.
4. How were they selected? They were chosen by the play writer, and were payed by the sponser (usually a rich citizen who was willing to pay for the costumes, sets, masks, etc.)
Performance Spaces 1. Where originally was Greek Theatre held? Greek Theatre was originally held at a Theatre built in Athens by Pisistratus.
2. How did this change? This changed when the festival of Dionysous begun.
3.
Acting 1. What did Greek actors wear on stage? Greek actors wore masks and costumes to define and develop their characters.
2. Why did Greek actors wear masks? The Greek actors wore masks because they helped the audience placed at the back of the theatre to understand the character's expression. There was also a theory that masks were made to look average and were worn to draw attention to the character's actions - not his appearance.
1. How did Greek Theatre develop?
Greek Theatre developed at the festival of Dionysous, as a dedication to the respective God. Masks and costumes were used - mostly in the form of satyrs.
2. What were the first types of Greek Theatre?
It was said the followers of Dionysous were half-goat, half-men (satyrs) and mad women. The Greeks used to dress up as said characters for religious purposes, and this often included singing and dancing.
3. How did this change?
This changed when Thespis, a priest, stood out of the chorus - and spoke words on his own. He acted out a small Dionusous myth, through words. This became popular, and a theatre for tragedy was built in Athens. These so called performances became competitive, and around 500BC it was introduced in a new tradition - 'the Dionysian festival'.
4. What was the winner of the festival awarded?
To win the festival was a great honour, and quite often money was given to the actors and writers from the state.
Chorus
1. What was the role of the chorus?
The chorus were put in place to be the relaying of society's views, and are often found talking to the main actors giving advice and telling them what they should do. They were also used to increase an emotion of an actor ten-fold, so they would have been happy were the main character happy, and sorrowful if the main actor was depressed.
2. How many were there?
At first the chorus consisted of 12 men, but grew to include 15 eventually.
3. Who were they?
The chorus consisted of men - no women - that had enlisted with the play writer.
4. How were they selected?
They were chosen by the play writer, and were payed by the sponser (usually a rich citizen who was willing to pay for the costumes, sets, masks, etc.)
Performance Spaces
1. Where originally was Greek Theatre held?
Greek Theatre was originally held at a Theatre built in Athens by Pisistratus.
2. How did this change?
This changed when the festival of Dionysous begun.
3.
Acting
1. What did Greek actors wear on stage?
Greek actors wore masks and costumes to define and develop their characters.
2. Why did Greek actors wear masks?
The Greek actors wore masks because they helped the audience placed at the back of the theatre to understand the character's expression. There was also a theory that masks were made to look average and were worn to draw attention to the character's actions - not his appearance.
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Unit 1 - Greek Theatre