The Stage and the School: Greek Theatre -Western drama originated from Greece in 6th century B.

C, from the ritual of worshipping the god Dionysus -Ritual consisted of a chorus (chanters) dancing around an altar where a goat was sacriced, this was referred to as the goat song or tragos = tragedy -Ceremonies of worship soon evolved into themed competitions -Greek legends state that a man named Thespis, upon winning the rst competition, removed himself from the chorus and engaged in conversation with other members -This action was described as the rst example of acting, his name Thespis evolving into the term Thespian (term given to actors) -Competitions evolved into a week of festivities, the last few days being made up entirely of drama performances and plays. First three consisted of tragedies, the nal performance being a more unique play, referred to as satyr -Playwrights would compete as well to win the grand prize, ghting for the best performance to win a wreath -Productions were rst displayed and viewed from hillsides, surrounding a ciruclar area called the orchestra, where the main performance took place -Rear of the acting area = the skene Skene = the area where actors changed costumes or masks, later expanded into a full building where the scenery was painted on the front -On top = god walk, where actors as gods delivered their acts on the roof -Major device used in greek theatre = machina, a crane-like hoist that lifted actors up in the sky, representing god gures or characters in the performance -Deus Ex Machina = a theatre plot device used in the play to artically resolve problems in the storys plot -Chorus = very important in early plays. -Main purpose = update the audience on the plot, provide commentary of established ideas, and to engage dialogue with the actors (early form of improv) -Later on, the role of the actors became more superior as the chorus roles diminished Genres of theatre: -Tragedies: A major classic in greek theatre -Mainly revolved around conicts that start from feuds or clashes between gods and the ambitions/dreams of humanity -Purpose: Shows how useless human efforts are in their effort to prevent certain events from happening -Famed playwrights of tragedies include Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripedes, who existed in the 4-5 centuries B.C -Aeschylus: started the expansion of the actors role in the play -Noted for the sudden rise and majestical use of language in his works -Sophocles: One of the best playwrights of all time, ranked at the same level of Shakespeare -Noted for balancing the human elements in greek theatre, demonstrating the balance of power and importance between the gods and humans in his works -Manipulates his characters into questioning about fate and the wills of the gods = characters are the strongest to appear onstage

Adrian Ma

Monday, 25 March 2013 8:31:36 PM Hong Kong SAR China Time

Euripides: -Known for emphasizing more on human relationships and lives than religion or spiritual beliefs at the time -Became the master of pathos, the term to refer to human sorrow and compassion in theatre -Works mainly circulated around the determination and efforts humans go through just to make one idea work for their own personal gain, majority of the main characters in these were women Aristophanes: -Known for his satire-based plays and themes, also noted as a clever observer of humanity -Works mocked or made fun of leaders in Athens and the gods -First 9 Plays often referred to as Old Comedy, due to their wild comic fantasy that they present -Last 2 = Middle Comedy, more quieter and more detailed Menander: -Largely unheard of, only one of his works have been preserved, he inspired Renaissance writers through his use of New Comedy, a more gentle approach to mocking everyday life Terms: Skene: The background building that was connected to the stage, otherwise known as the backstage area where costumes and backgrounds were stored, also used as the dressing room. Machina: An operated crane attached to an actor that gave the impression of the actor him/herself ying onstage, mostly used in scenes where gods arise/descend onstage Deus ex machina: A plot device used in greek theatre productions where a problem that is presented in one scene is suddenly solved in the other proceeding scene Godwalk: The roof of the theatre where actors as god characters would be presenting their main act as the god

Adrian Ma

Monday, 25 March 2013 8:31:36 PM Hong Kong SAR China Time