Transcript Theatre History

Theatre History
The Origin of Western Theatre
Part I: Introduction
Theatre is Life


A wide range of
human activities
contain theatrical
components.
Imitation, role
playing, storytelling,
many forms of
entertainment, and
numerous
ceremonies and
rituals.
Imitation, role playing, and
storytelling

Role playing and imitation have a
theatrical component:


People assume roles such as doctor, lawyer,
salesperson, teacher, and student. Playing
these roles require people to adopt the
behaviors required by their society. This
involves aspects of acting.
Storytelling is an everyday activity
found in cultures throughout the world.

Learn to tell a story!
Students:
Remember to
define pantomime
Popular Entertainment


Certain types of group
activities with a strong
theatrical component
are referred to as
popular
entertainment.
Singing, dancing,
pantomime, juggling,
magic, acrobatics, and
dramatic sketches.
Ceremonies and Rituals

A ritual is the
acting out of an
established
procedure.
Examples would
include family
events like
Thanksgiving or
Christmas dinner.

A ceremony is a
formal religious or
social occasion, usually
led by an authority
figure such as a priest,
or chief. Some
examples might be a
graduation, an
inauguration, and a
marriage.
When or where did theatre
emerge, or begin?



No one knows! Some argue that it began in
Greece in the fifth century B.C.; others say in
India in the fourth century A.D.; again in the
Middle Ages.
Some scholars argue that theatre emerged
from religious ceremonies and others suggest
it emerged out of storytelling.
The purpose of studying theatre history is not
to settle the disputes, rather to study the art
form once it becomes established.
Elements of Theatre







Playing Space
Audience
Performers
Visual elements
Human subject
matter
Dramatic structure
Coordination of all of
the above
A Playing Space


A place where
people can come
together to watch a
performance.
As you study each
era of theatre, ask:




What was the relationship
between performers and
audiences in theses spaces?
How large were the spaces?
Where was the audience?
Permanent or temporary?
The Audience


Unlike some arts - such
as literature or painting
- theatre requires more
than a single person.
It is a communal
experience for the
audience, this coming
together is an essential
element of theatre.
The Performers


The other 1/2 of the
actor-audience
equation. Performance
is the essence of
theatre.
Remember to ask as
you continue to explore
theatre history:

What was the style of
acting in a given
historical period?
Visual Elements



Scenery, lighting,
and costumes.
Scenery may be
simple, or elaborate.
As you explore keep
in mind:


What materials were
used?
What functions did
they serve?
Human Subject Matter

Theatre is always
human-centered.

Their problems, joys,
fears, foolishness,
and aspirations.
Students: Be
able to identify
and explain all
the elements of
dramatic
structure.
Dramatic Structure

Dramatic Structure
may take several
forms and they have
evolved over the
years.

Whatever the
structure, it will be a
recognized pattern, a
framework for some
story of human
adventures.