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Theatre history: Historical Breakdown – M. Zurla Introduction to Theatre Instructor: Martin Zurla Historical Breakdown – Elements and Events1 Element Event Name of period in theatre history Greek (and Roman). Note: Roman theatre was largely imitative of Greek Theatre. Dates 5th Century BC (499 - 400) 4th Century BC After 323, Hellenistic 2 Location Athens. After fifth century, spread throughout Mediterranean world. Prior theatrical influences None Occasion for performance Annual festival, part of worship of Dionysus Who provided the financial support necessary to produce plays? Wealthy citizen, selected by the state, who funded production as a form of taxation Location of theatre structure Outdoors, side of Acropolis in Athens. On a hillside elsewhere for Greek theatres. On flat area in the city for Roman theatres Materials used in theatre construction Wood. After fifth century, stone. Approximate capacity of theatre 20,000 Lighting Sun What was the facade behind the playing area? Originally, nothing; after 456 B.C., a wooden building with at least one central door Did this background change from performance to performance? No Use of painted scenery None, or negligible 1 Original Information and layout obtained from Jerrold Phillips http://www.atsweb.neu.edu/theatre.history/shared/Characteristics%20of%20pre-Italianate%20theatres.html 2 Hellenistic Greek was the dialect of Greek spoken between 300 B.C. and 600 A.D. In particular, it was the language of the New Testament. Page 1 of 2 Theatre history: Historical Breakdown – M. Zurla Use of theatrical effects Crane to depict actors "flying," eccyclema (wagon that emerged from central doors of skene). After fifth century, more elaborate devices were developed Features of staging Action alternated between episodes, with no more than three speaking actors, and choral stasimons3, in orchestra, with 12 - 15 dancing, singing chorus members; generally the location of the action does not change, and the time period of the addition is restricted to one day. Spatial relationship of spectators to performers Orchestra penetrated spectator space, audience on three sides. Sex of actors Male. Use of music Considerable; chorus danced and sang, some of actor's lines were sung. Nature of audience As far as can be known, generally representative of adult male citizenry - whether women were in the Greek audience is still argued. Women were in the Roman audience. Role of criticism in defining theatre forms and objectives None Stated objectives of theatrical production None Major Playwrights Tragedy: Aeschylus Sophocles Euripides Old Comedy: Aristophanes New Comedy: Menander Rome: Plautus Terence 3 Stasimon: any extended song of the chorus after the parodos. Parodos: entry of the chorus and the name of the song they sing as they enter. Page 2 of 2