Download Conventions of the Theatre

Conventions of the Theatre
Sarah Phan, Allissa Valenzuela,
Angel Simmala, Tiffany Ma
IB English 12
Period 2
Elements of Structure: Major
● Theatron
○ Seating area
● Skene
○ Behind the stage
● Orchestra
○ Where chorus performs
● Parados
○ Where chorus enters orchestra
Elements of Structure
●
Proscenium
○ Stage
●
Paraskenia
○ Extension of skene
●
Thymele
○ Altar
●
Machine
○ Device that lowered the “god” onto the stage
Use of Staging
The way that characters are staged can be revealing of character and
tone.
○
lighting: characters can be associated with colors that describe their
identity
(red=angry, green=lively)
○
○
backdrops: (palace=royal)
sounds/music: (light, airy music=frolicsome,
carefree)
○
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furniture/props: (sword=fighter/defender)
costumes: especially indicate social status of a character
Placement of characters in relation to other characters: (being on a
raised platform or sitting in a throne suggest higher status)
Interaction Between the Chorus and Characters
●
In Antigone, there is no physical
interaction between actors and
the chorus, only verbal.
●
Verbal interaction between the
Chorus and the protagonist and
antagonist allow the playwright
to thoroughly communicate his
views and other personal ideas
to the audience.
●
Also allows Chorus to interpret characters’ actions in relation to
the law of mortal man and the law of the gods
Masks
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Masks were used to help define facial expressions and characters,
allowed actors to play more than one role or gender, and even
helped the actors’ voice projection.
Tragedy: masks were more life-like.
Comedy: masks were ugly and grotesque.
Constructed out of lightweight materials
(wood, linen, cork, hair, etc.)
●
Lacked durability.
Costumes
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Helped indicate the gender, age, and social
status of a character.
Actors were heavily disguised in order to
let another speak and act through him.
Examples of costume pieces:
○ Peplos: Cloak
○ Chlamys: Short cloak
○ Chiton: Robe
Males would wear posterneda and
progastreda when playing female
characters to mimic feminine shapes.
Masks, Costumes, Etc.
In Greek tragedies, ideas are more important than action and this
is shown through costumes and masks.
The costumes and masks help transform the actors into their
characters and this illusion is just as powerful as the actual acting and
movements.
They helped solidify the idea of that character actually being
onstage rather than someone pretending to be them.
Discussion Questions
●
How has the structure changed between Greek and modern theatre?
Does it alter how the play is performed?
●
How are the costumes and masks seen today similar to ancient Greek
theater? Do they serve the same specific purpose?
●
When Sophocles staged the original version of Antigone, which
character do you think he chose to stage in a way that would
symbolize a higher status than the other characters? Why?
●
How does the interaction between the Chorus and Creon show his
separation from the people?
Works Cited
"Ancient Greek Theatre." Ancient Greek Theatre. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Aug. 2015.
"City Dionysia - Masks, Costumes and Props." City Dionysia - Masks, Costumes and Props. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Aug.
2015.
Collins, J. Churton. "Structure and Plot of Antigone." Structure and Plot of Antigone. Theatrehistory, 2006. Web. 31
Aug. 2015.
Cummings, Michael J. "Introduction to the Theban Plays." Cummings Study Guides. N.p., 2003. Web. 31 Aug. 2015.
Englert, Walter. "Greek Theater." Greek Theater. Hum110 Tech, n.d. Web. 31 Aug. 2015.
"Masks in Ancient Greek Theatre." Masks in Ancient Greek Theatre. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Aug. 2015.
Ross, Stewart. Greek Theatre. Lincolnwood, IL: P. Bedrick, 1999. Print.
Walton, J. Michael. The Greek Sense of Theatre: Tragedy Reviewed. London: Methuen, 1984. Print.
Wyles, Rosie. "An Introduction To... Tragic Costume." An Introduction To... Tragic Costume. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Aug.
2015.