1. Greek Theatre

2. Greek Theatre Notes
Greek tragedy as we know it was created in Athens around the time of 532 BC, when Thespis was the earliest recorded actor. Being a winner of the first theatrical contest held at Athens, he was the exarchon, or leader, of the dithyrambs performed in and around Attica, especially at the rural Dionysia.
The theatre of Ancient Greece, or ancient Greek drama, is a theatrical culture that flourished in ancient Greece between 550 BC and 220 BC.
The city-state of Athens, which became a significant cultural, political, and military power during this period, was its centre, where it was institutionalised as part of a festival called the Dionysia, which honored the god Dionysus.
Tragedy (late 6th century BC), comedy (486 BC), and the satyr play were the three dramatic genres to emerge there. Athens exported the festival to its numerous colonies and allies in order to promote a common cultural identity.

3. Answers to Greek Theatre - #1
Religion was very important in many parts of Greek theatre:
Most of the plays employed ceremonies and rituals into the drama
This help form the Greek plays, most of which were tragedy
These rituals and ceremonies have shaped drama to this day

4. #2
Dionysus
Greek god of pleasure, wine, fertility

5. #3 The celebration that took place in the City of Dionysus:
Week long festival and competitions
Involved feasts, plays, rituals, food, drinking, dancing, worship
Thousands attended
At times the celebration got out of hand and bordered on riotous .

6. #4

7. #5
Sets were not made, to save time / resources, the fact that they were in a location was mentioned in dialogue.
Other events in the play were referred to and again mentioned on stage or proof of it mentioned brought out on stage.
The Greek theatre was not meant to be realistic or representational

8. #6 Greek writers Aeschylus (tragedy / Drama)
Sophocles (tragedy / Drama)
Euripides (tragedy / Drama)
Astrophanes (comedy)

9. #7 Greek Tragedy Characteristics
Prologue / introduction – background info given
5 episodes per play
Each episode divided by the chorus (singing / dancing)

10. #8 Problems with performing Greek Plays Outdoors (weather conditions)
Volume levels (actors’ voice / audience hearing)
Made following the plot difficult
Costume details hard to see

11. #9
Greek Style
MASKS
COSTUMES
ACTING

12. #10 Chorus Their roles was to: divide the episodes of the play
give advice and express opinions about the action of the characters
reflect audience feelings
Add excitement, mood and drama
On stage at all times

13. Part B
NUMBER 1