1. Journal 1/5/2016  Welcome back? Did you do anything theatrical or drama related over the break? Tell me about it!

2. Journal 1/6/16  What do you know about Ancient Greek theatre? Have you studied plays/writings/art work from that time period before? Tell us about it.

3. Journal1/7/16  What would you consider a modern day tragic story (movie, TV show, song, book)?

4. Journal 1/8/16  Do we have something comparable to the City Dionysia (contests, festivals, etc.?)

5. Greek Theatre History

6. Beginnings  Theatre in Greece was at its height during the “Golden Age” of 500- 400 B.C.E.  It started out as religious rites in honor of Dionysus, Greek god of wine and fertility  Performers sang “Dithyrambs” or hymns to Dionysus.

7. Development of Theatre  Groups performing Dithyrambs were organized into choral groups, and awarder prizes  These rituals and contests developed Tragedy: plays where the main character perishes.  Choruses contained more than 50 people at times.

8. Parts of a Greek Theatre

9. Greek Scenery  Periaktoi Still used today Triangular prism Rotated to change scenery

10. Greek Scenery: Pinake

11. Greek Scenery: Deus Ex Machina  “God in the machine”  Used to lower in and take out actors playing gods  Still used today

12. Modern Deus Ex Machina

13. Greek Festivals  These religious rituals evolved into great play writing and performing contests.  They still honored Dionysus, but awards were given to the playwrights with the best tragic performances.

14. City Dionysia  One of four great festivals  Held in March  Took place in Athens, Greece  Image of Dionysus carried from site of partying to the “theatron” or seeing place.  Lasted about a week.

15. The Playwrights  The last 3 days of the festival, playwrights presented: A tragic trilogy A satire (comic relief) At the end, the winner would be announced and awarded the coveted prize: an ivy garland.

16. Great Greek Playwrights  Thespis Introduced a leader of the chorus, the first actor. Where we get the term, Thespian. First winner of the City Dionysia

17. Great Greek Playwrights  Aeschylus The Father of Tragedy Invented the trilogy Added a second actor Won City Dionysia 13 times Plays include: The Oresteia Trilogy

18. Great Greek Playwrights  Sophocles Second great writer of tragedies Became treasurer of Athens Won City Dionysia 18 times Introduced a third actor Plays include: Oedipus Rex and Antigone

19. Scenes From Oedipus Rex  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gtw9 zKb7wA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gtw9 zKb7wA  Herdsman Scene  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD8rm XwG9ZQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD8rm XwG9ZQ  Choral Ode

20. Great Greek Playwrights  Aristophanes Finest comic writer of Greece Wrote bawdy satires with humorous ideas and bold attacks Plays include: The Frogs and The Clouds

21. QUESTIONS?