Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
The Origins of Theatre • The history of drama is closely related to the history of humanity itself. Why? • The earliest record of a theatrical performance came from Egypt 4,000 years ago. The Origin of Western Theatre? • Why do we say that Greek Theatre is the origin of “Western Theatre” ? • Western Theatre is our theatre. The theatre of Europe and eventually the theatre of America. • The Theatre of the “East” including Asia and India had their own theatrical traditions which evolved separately. Greek Theatre Developed from rituals to honor Dionysus - God of Wine and Fertility The Chorus danced around an altar where a goat was sacrificed The Chorus was called “goat singers” and the chant was called tragos “goat song” From tragos we get the word tragedy From these ceremonies developed dramatic contests Legend says the Thespis was the winner of the first contest when he stepped out of the chorus and engaged them in dialogue becoming the first actor We get the word thespian from Thespis. Greek Theatre The Chorus – A group of performers who wore masks. They sang and chanted in choral odes, commented on the action of the play, and provided back ground information The Actors – Usually three All Men Wore masks to change characters Greek Theatre • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNAM3PzGcow Three Main Portions of Greek Theatre: Skene – Portion of stage behind where actors performed (included 1-3 doors in and out) Orchestra – “Dancing Place” where chorus sang to the audience Theatron – Seating for audience The Stage The Stage Theater at Epidaurus The Stage Deus Ex Machina • Deus Ex Machina God in the Machine – A device that lowered the Gods into a scene Now refers to a plot device that conveniently resolves a conflict late in a play ie: An unknown uncle dies leaving a fortune to a family who is about to lose the farm. Catharsis •The emotional purging an audience feels after the downfall of a tragic character. Choral Ode Your task is to create a choral performance of a Greek Choral Ode. You should – Use a didactic style Have choreographed movement Create interesting stage pictures and formations Speak in Unison Focus on vocal projection Warm Up Historically what relationship does religion have to the theatre? What relationship does it have today? Objective: Perform a choral ode in the didactic style. • Warm Up • Notes – Greek Performance • Rehearsal – Choral Odes • Rehearsal Expectations/ Rubric Creation • Begin Choral Ode Performances • Closure •GREEK PERFORMANCE • Prologue: Characters speak directly to the audience. They tell us what the play is going to be about, and what the audience will learn from it. • Parados: The Chorus, all together, tell us what has happened so far in the story, up until the beginning of the play. • Episode 1: Characters act out the beginning of the play. The Chorus is allowed to interrupt to ask questions or make comments. • Choral Ode 1: The Chorus speaks about something connected with the theme of the story, but not necessarily about the story itself. • Episode 2: Characters act out the next part of the story, again with comments from the Chorus. • Choral Ode 2 – same as Choral Ode 1 • More Episodes and Choral Odes • Final Episode: Characters act out the end of the story. • Exodus: The chorus tells us what we have learned from the story. • STRUCTURE OF A GREEK TRAGEDY CONTINUED • Late point of attack • Violence and death offstage • Frequent use of messengers to relate information • Unity of Time • Unity of Place • Stories based on myth or history, but varied interpretations of events • Hero has a tragic flaw that is responsible for his downfall Ekkyklema • A wheeled cart which was rolled out from the scene which contained bodies. • Violent Acts always occurred off stage and reports of those actions were given by a messenger Greek Masks • Were used to change characters. • Exaggerated expressions helped the audience see the expression • Cone shape of the mouth worked like a megaphone • Actors wore platform shoes to increase their size ACTING STYLE • DECLAMATORY – Spoken loudly, focused on getting the words to everyone in the audience • GESTURES – Were big, and exaggerated • Lines were often sung by both the actors and the chorus Periaktoi • Three sided wall units, each painted for a different scene Closure What is the most enjoyable part of the choral ode assignment? Is there anything that you find challenging or frustrating? Objective: Compare and contrast elements of Greek and Roman Theatre in a Venn Diagram. AGENDA: Warm Up – Quote Response Notes – Roman Theatre Review Assignment – Fairy Tale Tragedy Tragedy of the Troll Closure Roman Theatre Roman Theatre • As a people the Romans were assimilators – known to adopt ideas and practices of others • The Romans therefore assimilated many of the Greeks artistic practices including theatre • Besides theatre the Roman citizens had a wide variety of tastes when it came to entertainment including: • acrobatics • gladiators • jugglers • athletics • chariots races • mock sea battles • boxing • animal fights Roman Theatre • Roman theatre like that of the Greeks revolved around religious festivals • Actors were generally considered to have a lower social status • Some Roman emperors were known to sponsor as many as 100 days of theatre performances as a way to control the populace • Masks similar to Greek masks were used in plays • Roman Taste was more sentimental, diversionary, and grandiose where as Greek Drama was more philosophical Other Dramatic Forms Pantomime • Focused on a solo performer • Solo dance, with music (lutes, pipes, cymbals) and a chorus. • Used masks • The story-telling was usually mythology or historical stories, usually serious but sometimes comic. Other Dramatic Forms Mime Most common attributes of mime: • • • • • • • Probably performed by Slaves Sometimes elaborate casts and spectacle Serious or comic (satiric) No masks Had women Violent and Sexual Scoffed at Christianity The End of the Western Theatre? • In 692 A.D. a church council passed a resolution which forbade theatrical performances of any kind. • This event is often used to mark the end of classical theatre in the West Closure •Create a Venn Diagram Comparing Greek and Roman Theatre •If you are super smart…add an additional circle for theatre today.