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The HISTORY of DRAMA
Watch this video and take notes in your notebook on the following points:
What was the relationship between the Church and the Theater?
What is the difference between a Mystery Play and a Morality Play?
Why did the Church ban theater?
The BRIEF History of Theatre
Primitive Theater
Theatre long ago was quite different than the theatre we see today. Theatre first came from the cultures of primitive societies through dance. It is thought that the members used dances to calm the supernatural powers they thought controlled their lives. The supernatural powers were believed to have power over the events needed for their survival. Other dances were thought to get rid of evil spirits that caused disease and also to make the souls of the newly dead, depart the world of the living. The performers in these dances wore masks, which represented the spirits. They also wore costumes made of animal skins, rushes, and bark from a tree.
Greek Theater
European theatre was started by the Ancient Greeks. Their plays had a lot to do with tragedy or comedy. The tradition first came from choral songs that dealt with the death and return of Dionysus, their god. That was in about the 6th Century B.C. One of the rules was that women were not allowed to perform in the Greek theaters The only scenery in the plays were some sets of rocks and tombs. Thesbis, the first playwright and the first actor was given credit for introducing masks to the theatre. The first Greek theatre in Athens was a large simple circle called the "orchestra" (the dancing place).
Watch the following video and pay particular attention to the following points.
Take notes on the following points in your notebook.
1. Why do we have so much information about ancient Greek theater?
2. How was theater a competition?
3. What are the three types of Greek theater?
4. Where was traditional Greek theater performed?
5. Why did the Greek's use masks?
6. What was the purpose of the Greek Chorus?
Roman Theater
The Roman's capital did not have a permanent theatre until about 55 B.C. They didn't build their theaters into hillsides like the Greeks, but instead built a standing structure that they covered with awnings. The early Roman actors were slaves owned by managers. Later actors were citizens and became famous and wealthy. Roman actors had plenty of opportunity to work most of the year in Rome.
Medieval Theater
In early medieval times, around the seventh century, the church played a large part in stopping theatre performances. The church was also responsible for the rebirth of the theatre during the Middle Ages. The dramatic performances, which were based on the story of the Resurrection, were first introduced into the Easter service. These little performances were originally done by priests and monks. They were the beginning of great period of mystery plays, which dramatized almost every part of biblical history.
The Renaissance Theater
In the 16th century, the medieval religious plays were beginning to decline. More worldly (secular), plays were performed in inns, hotels, and halls, and slowly moved to theaters of their own. The first "theatre" called, "The Theatre", was built just outside of London in 1576. Many other theatres soon followed such as, the Curtain, the Rose, and the very famous Globe theatre. These theaters were a frame, often three story structure, built around on open courtyard and most were circular. The first audience sat in boxes or in galleries within the frame. At the end of the stage, where the audience couldn't see, there was the "tiring" house where the actors stored their props and changed costumes. During these times, the Elizabethan actors (all male), formed guilds and became master actors. One of the most famous of these playwrights and actors was William Shakespeare.
Baroque and the 18th Century Theatre
In the 17th century the Italian theatre had architectural structures and staging. The stages were decorated with painted perspective settings. The stage was separated from the auditorium by the familiar proscenium, meaning "picture frame". In England and in Spain, there were no women in their plays. That tradition lasted until about 1587. In the 17th century, French and English acting companies began to add women to their troupes. In America, the colonial theatre was just beginning to emerge. They used English plays and actors. The 18th century was the last great time of theatre for the nobility.
Asian TheatreAsian theatre had little influence on Western theatre. Asian theatre has had a long and famous history. Western theatre has often had a more realistic style of presentation. The theatre in the East has been, and still often is, symbolic. Which means the actors wear masks or wear artificial make-up. The actors wearing masks represent a character, and if an actor had a whip in his hand it would represent a man on horseback. The realistic style means actors play exactly who they are and what they are doing. They don't wear masks and they ride real horses (when possible). The first acting areas were raised platforms with a curtain. Western audiences are more familiar with the historical Japanese theatre known as Kabuki. Kabuki can still be seen today. In Kabuki theatre, dance and heavy makeup is used. Traps in the stage floor were made to raise and lower actors. They also introduced the revolving stage which eventually became part of Western theatre.
19th Century Theatre
Many changes began to take place in 19th century Europe. Due to the Industrial Revolution, many classes of people moved into the cities and theatre began to change. New forms of theatre were created for these working people such as Vaudeville (acts like song-and-dance routines), Burlesque (dramatic works that make a subject appear ridiculous), and the melodrama (the exaggeration of charters in conflict-heroine/hero vs. the villain). Romantic plays and revivals of the classics were performed at major theatres during this time. The United States still depended on Europe for it's drama and theatre styles. In 1820, candles and oil lamps were replaced by gas lights in many 19th century theatres. The opening of the Savoy Theatre in London, 1881, was the first stage lit by electricity. The plays of Shakespeare were being performed. By the last decades of the 19th century, audiences were getting tired of revivals and were ready for a change.
20th Century TheatreThe theatre has changed over the past centuries! Modern stages have newer technology and special effects. People not only come to theaters for drama, but they come for music, entertainment, education, and to learn something new! Stage designs include the arena staging, or what we call today, Theatre in the Round. Today, some ways to express different characters in performances (besides the tone of the voice) can be through music, settings, lighting, and electronic effects. Realistic and experimental styles of performances are found in the American theatre today. Boy, how time has changed some things, yet it can also take us back to our past! What will the new century hold for theatre?
Theater Genres
Four Spaces of a Theater
The Proscenium Arch
Thrust Stage
Arena or Theater in the Round
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