The Ancient Greek Theater
Theaters Physical Structure:
The theaters were very large in the open air and were built in semi-circular shapes with rows of tiered stone seating around it. The theaters took advantage of steep sloping hillsides, so that everyone could see the act without any hesitations. The theaters usually faced away from the sun so that the sunset would illuminate the stage and not bling the audience. The theaters steep rows curved channel sound waves and because they were made of marble, sound echoed very easily throughout the theater.
The theaters were very large in the open air and were built in semi-circular shapes with rows of tiered stone seating around it. The theaters took advantage of steep sloping hillsides, so that everyone could see the act without any hesitations. The theaters usually faced away from the sun so that the sunset would illuminate the stage and not bling the audience. The theaters steep rows curved channel sound waves and because they were made of marble, sound echoed very easily throughout the theater.
- The orchestra was normally circular. A level space where the chorus would dance, sing, and interact with the actors who were on the stage near the skene.
- The theatron is where the spectators sat. The spectators sat on cushions or boards, but by the fourth century the threatron of many Greek theaters had marble seats.
- The skene was the building directly behind the stage. It was usually decorated as a palace, temple, or other building, depending on the needs of the play.
- The parodos are the paths that chorus and some actors used to make their entrances and exits. The audience also used them to enter and exit the theater before and after performance.
- Almost every Greek city had a theater because the plays were part of many religious festivals.
Costumes:
Costumes did many things. They showed whether the actor was:
All the actors were men. The actors would dress up as women using ‘prosterniad’ before the chest and the ‘progastrida’ before the belly. They wore large masks that exaggerated facial features and emotions. The mouth hole was large to help amplify the voices. Greek plays were either comedies or tragedies. Tragedies were often about the past, whereas comedies tended to be about current and everyday life. Actors in comedies wore bright colors. Actors in tragedies wore dark colors. Plays were either spoken or sung in rhyme.
The masks are personalized for each character. Special emotions were expressed on the mask, so the audience knew if a character was happy, upset, tired, or scared. Since the masks could be seen even in the last rows, the audience could tell how the character was feeling.
Greek theatres were open seating, and anyone that was interested, which was nearly everyone attended plays regularly. It was part of the Greek culture. They wouldn't think of charging money to see the plays.
Societal Factors:
Challenges in societal norms caused affects in Greek theaters. Religious views and the audience enjoyed the playwrights and many became popular throughout the people. The theaters purpose was to entertain people and which it did.
Dionysus:
Tragedy and comedy had deep roots in the religious and communal life of the Greek polis and were closely connected with the worship of the god Dionysus. Dionysus, was honored with a festival called by "City Dionysia". In Athens, during this festival, men used to perform songs to welcome Dionysus. Plays were only presented at City Dionysia festival. Athens was the main center for these theatrical traditions. Athenians spread these festivals to its numerous allies in order to promote a common identity.
Dionysus was
Costumes did many things. They showed whether the actor was:
- male
- female
- rich
- poor
- priest
- or any other occupations
All the actors were men. The actors would dress up as women using ‘prosterniad’ before the chest and the ‘progastrida’ before the belly. They wore large masks that exaggerated facial features and emotions. The mouth hole was large to help amplify the voices. Greek plays were either comedies or tragedies. Tragedies were often about the past, whereas comedies tended to be about current and everyday life. Actors in comedies wore bright colors. Actors in tragedies wore dark colors. Plays were either spoken or sung in rhyme.
The masks are personalized for each character. Special emotions were expressed on the mask, so the audience knew if a character was happy, upset, tired, or scared. Since the masks could be seen even in the last rows, the audience could tell how the character was feeling.
Greek theatres were open seating, and anyone that was interested, which was nearly everyone attended plays regularly. It was part of the Greek culture. They wouldn't think of charging money to see the plays.
Societal Factors:
Challenges in societal norms caused affects in Greek theaters. Religious views and the audience enjoyed the playwrights and many became popular throughout the people. The theaters purpose was to entertain people and which it did.
Dionysus:
Tragedy and comedy had deep roots in the religious and communal life of the Greek polis and were closely connected with the worship of the god Dionysus. Dionysus, was honored with a festival called by "City Dionysia". In Athens, during this festival, men used to perform songs to welcome Dionysus. Plays were only presented at City Dionysia festival. Athens was the main center for these theatrical traditions. Athenians spread these festivals to its numerous allies in order to promote a common identity.
Dionysus was
- Associated with wine and wine miracles
- Lead both to positive release and to self-destructive passions and actions
- God of wild nature, of the forces “outside” of the civilized city:
- unchecked, luxuriant plant growth
- fierce, untamed animals such as large cats, bulls, and snakes
- sexuality unbounded by humane and civilized limits
- Female followers were called “raving women,”
- Dancing was a major part of the worship of Dionysus