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Fundamentals of Theatre Arts
History of the Theatre
Greeks through Elizabethan
Origins of Theatre
 Storytelling ancient cultures. 20,000 –
30,000 years old.
 Egyptians. 2,500 – 3,300 BC. “Murder
of Wheat God Osiris by his Enemy Set”
Done on a boat in the Nile River.
 Ritual Ceremonies born out of religious
experiences.
Greeks 500 B.C. – 100 B.C.
 City of Dionysia
 Play Contest using
 3-day Spring
comedy and
tragedy.
 Dithyrambs – chants
sung by performers.
 All male cast.
 Costumes – masks
and robes.
Festival with food,
wine, drunkeness,
orgies, and
entertainment.
 Play contests by
Euripedes,
Aristophanes,
Aeschylus,
Sophecles
Greeks
 Theatre Building
was on side of hill
and grew in to
“theatron”.
Greek Effects
 Opera developed out of Greek
performances.
 Burlesque developed out of Greek
interludes of comedy.
 Definition of Comedy and Tragedy
 Use of costuming and masks.
Romans 100 B.C. – 800 A.D.
 Romans stole ideas
 Spectacle became
from Greeks using
Greek characters
and stories.
 Playwrights became
recognized with
Plautus, Seneca,
Terrence.
 Male Actors.
the norm with
gladiators, races,
sea battles, public
killings.
Romans
 Amphitheatre was
built to hold 15,000
spectators.
Amphitheatre used
trap doors, back
drop façade.
 Arena theatre much
like football stadium
today.
Roman Effects
 Spectacle
 Arena style theatre
 Trap doors, entrances for actors and
audiences.
 Back drop or facades.
Medieval Times 900 – 1400’s
 European influences.
 Church became the power and influence.
Religious plays were performed depicting
Bible incidents such as Passion Plays.
Medieval Times
 Morality plays
depicted human
struggle for
perfection and
exploring the seven
deadly sins of man.
“Everyman” was
written by
anonymous
Dutchman.
Medieval Times 900 – 1400’s
 Pageant wagon
players.
 France had
women
performing.
 Farce and
comedy develops.
Elizabethan 1400’s-1600’s
 Commedia dell’arte:
old man Pantelone,
smart servant
Harlequine, doctor
Dottore, young
lovers and females
were used.
Elizabethan Theatre
 William
Shakespeare
changed
performances.
Used men as
women. Designed
costumes, props,
staging.
Elizabethan Theatre