1. Theatre History: Greek to Roman “Did that really happen?” 1

2. Greek Era of Theatre The plays in the ancient greek era were generally written about the Greek gods, godesses and heroes. 2

3. Greek Era of Theatre Every Spring, the Greeks gather to perform their plays at what is called the Dionysian Festival. 3

4. Greek Era of Theatre The Skene was a changing house that was also used in plays to represent the home of a King or a ruler. 4

5. Greek Era of Theatre Gruesomeness had no place in the Greek Theatre, so murdered characters would be wheeled out on an Eccyclema. 5

6. Greek Era of Theatre There was no set scenery! 6

7. Greek Era of Theatre Women were not allowed to act. Men played those parts wearing Masks. 7

8. Greek Era of Theatre As for costuming, the bigger the costume meant the bigger the part. i.e. large masks, long robes, stilts, elevated boots, etc. 8

9. Greek Era of Theatre Thespis, in 534 BC, stepped out from the chorus and uttered the first words of dialogue. I guess that makes him the first actor. 9

10. Greek Era of Theatre Aeschylus was a playwright that acted and directed in all of his own plays. He wrote tragedies. 10 525-456 BC

11. Greek Era of Theatre Perhaps the best playwright of all time, Sophocles had the perfect blend of content and form in his plays. He wrote Antigone. 11 497-406 BC

12. Greek Era of Theatre A rebel writer, Euripides was the most modern of the Greek playwrights, writing about real men and real deeds. 12 485-406 BC

13. Greek Era of Theatre Aristophanes was a writer of comedies. 13 450-380 BC

14. Greek Era of Theatre Having really no connection to the theatre, Aristotle was a poet and a philosopher. He wrote “Poetics” that somehow became a definition of tragedy that is still observed today. 14 384-322 BC

15. Roman Era of Theatre Roman Theatre at its birth: 1- mimes and dancers, 2- stereo- typical characters and 3- wandering performers.. 15

16. Roman Era of Theatre The Romans raised their acting area and called it Pulpitum. This is where the church term pulpit comes from. They would also add other adaptations to the Greek Theatre, but never really improved anything. 16

17. Roman Era of Theatre Roman adaptations of the Greek theatre: 1- Addition of a front curtain, 2- changed from wood to stone, 3- reduced the acting area to a semi-circle, et. al. 17

18. Roman Era of Theatre Plautus was the top Roman writer of comedy, whose style influenced Modern American comic actors such as Danny Kaye and Jerry Lewis. 18 254-184 BC

19. Roman Era of Theatre William Shakespeare was influenced by the writing style of the Roman playwright Seneca, whose plays were closet dramas, meaning they were good reading material, but not good enough to perform in public. 19 4 BC- 69 AD

20. Roman Era of Theatre Rome falls in 476 AD but prior to that, entertainment changed to the following: 1- Christians being fed to lions, 2- mimes doing vulgar pantomimes and 3- Gladiator/Slave battles to the death. 20

21. Roman Era of Theatre In 476 AD, the church takes over, closing all the theatres, labeling them “dens of iniquity.” Theatre is dead. Or is it? 21

22. Review Greek/ Roman 22

23. Theatre History: Medieval to Restoration “Are we having fun yet?” 23

24. Medieval Era of Theatre Ways theatre continued to live during the Dark (Medieval) Ages: 1- wandering performers, 2- Jesters, 3- Mimes and acrobats, 4- The church’s continual condemnation of theatre 24

25. Medieval Era of Theatre Ironically, the same church that killed theatre in the Roman era, brings it back to life again, due to the illiteracy of the church goers. Priests started acting out scriptures, so the people could understand. 25

26. Medieval Era of Theatre Ecclesiastical Dramas: 1- Mystery Plays (Bible Stories), 2- Miracle Plays (lives of martyred saints) and 3- Morality Plays (good vs. evil) 26

27. Medieval Era of Theatre Passion Play An elaborate, well-done play portraying the life and crucifixion of the Christ. 27

28. Medieval Era of Theatre Hans Sachs German poet, teacher and playwright who used drama and many other forms of literature to get the most out of his students. 28 1454-1576

29. Medieval Era of Theatre Renaissance Going back to the ground roots of something for renewal and rebirth. 29

30. Medieval Era of Theatre Ludovico Ariosto and Pietro Aretino Two comic playwrights, whose material was funny and amusing, but also very lewd and immoral. 30 1492-15561474-1533

31. Medieval Era of Theatre Commedia dell ‘Arte 1- Improvised comedy, 2- Women on stage, 3- where the term “villain” comes from, 4- Charlie Chaplin was a student of this. 31

32. Elizabethan Era of Theatre Queen Elizabeth I This era is named after her. She was a very staunch supporter of the theatre. 32

33. Elizabethan Era of Theatre John Heywood, Nicholas Udall, Sackville and Norton Most of the greatness would come later in the era, but the foundation was laid by these 4 playwrights 33

34. Elizabethan Era of Theatre James Burbage Built the first indoor playhouse called simply “the Theatre.” It had a 2-level stage, sat 1500 and was loved by the Queen. 34 1576

35. Elizabethan Era of Theatre William Shakespeare Supreme writer of tragedy for all time. His plays contained the most important ingredient of any play, action. 35 1564-1616

36. Elizabethan Era of Theatre Christopher Marlowe Could have been possibly better than Shakespeare, but we’ll never know. He died in a street brawl while still in his twenties. 36 1564-1593

37. Elizabethan Era of Theatre Oliver Cromwell In 1642, led the puritans in a Civil War against the English Nobility, who all fled to France. Theatres closed up again. Marked the end of the era. 37

38. Review Elizabethan 38

39. The Restoration Era of Theatre Moliere Master playwright of the Restoration England period. 39 1622-1673

40. The Restoration Era of Theatre Characteristics of the plays of the Restoration Period 1- polished and sophisticated, 2- “New Morality,” 3- city brilliant/country boring, and 4- light, cheery tone 40

41. The Restoration Era of Theatre Jeremy Collier Delivered the death blow, once again, to the theatre. Wrote “A Short View,” in 1693, angrily condemning the immoralities that were taking place on stages. 41

42. Restoration Era of Theatre English Theatrical “Licensing Act of 1737” Censorship of plays- the Lord Chamberlain had complete control over whether a play could be performed in public or not. 42

43. Theatre History: Europe in Transition to Modern American “Quick trip through history huh?” 43

44. Transition Era of Theatre Voltaire Known for: 1- Removing spectators from the stage, and 2- Raising acting standards through the use of criticism. 44 1694-1778

45. Transition Era of Theatre Beaumarchais Wrote plays that expressed ideas of democracy and freedom, planting seeds, in peoples minds, to revolt against the govt.. 45 French Revolution??? 1732-1799

46. Transition Era of Theatre Victor Hugo First writer of Romanticism. He wrote Hernani in 1830. 46 1802-1885

47. Transition Era of Theatre Henrick Ibsen Greatest writer of Realism ever. Wrote on issues such as women in society, VD, Hypocricy, Do-Gooders, etc.. 47 1828-1906

48. Transition Era of Theatre Constantin Stanislavski Russian playwright. Developed “Method Acting*” Opened the Moscow Art Theatre in 1936. 48 1863-1938

49. Transition Era of Theatre Adolphe Appia Swiss architect and Theorist of stage lighting and de’cor. His lighting concept is still in use today- “Father of Theatre Lighting” 49 1862-1928

50. 19 th Century England Era Characteristics: Straight-laced, proper, tearful comedy, righteous melodrama. It was the “Age of the Actor” 50

51. 19 th Century England Era Oscar Wilde Comic playwright with a flair for the unexpected. He was the most famous playwright of this era. 51 1856-1900

52. 19 th Century England Era Sir Henry Irving A very respectable actor of the time period. He was the first ever actor to be knighted. 52 1838-1905

53. 19 th Century England Era George Bernard Shaw Most important playwright of this era. England’s greatest playwright since Shakespeare. 53 1856-1950

54. Early American (Pre WW I) Era 1598 An explorer named Onate presents the very first play in America. 54

55. Early American (Pre WW I) Era 1665 The first play is presented in English in America. Title- “Ye Bare and Ye Cubb” 55 “Ye Bare and Ye Cubb:

56. Early American (Pre WW I) Era Minstrel Shows Variety shows, racist. Thomas Rice responsible for their popularity. 56

57. Early American (Pre WW I) Era Vaudeville These were variety shows with stand-up routines. Tony Pastor cleaned them up and made them worth watching. 57

58. Early American (Pre WW I) Era Vaudeville died out because: 1- People got tired of watching the same acts over and over. 2- Radio/TV came along and stole all the big-named performers. 58

59. Early American (Pre WW I) Era Clyde Fitch 1- Writer of social comedy. 2- Best known for introducing the cowboy into the theatre. 59 1685-1934

60. Modern American (Post WW II) Era Eugene O’Neill Greatest American playwright of all time. *“isms” 4 Pulitzer Prizes, the last one 4 years after his death. 60 1888-1953

61. Modern American (Post WW II) Era Thornton Wilder Wrote “Our Town” and “Matchmaker” (“Hello Dolly”) and others. Won 3 Pulitzer Prizes for Literature. 61 1897-1975

62. Modern American (Post WW II) Era Tennessee Williams Wrote “Streetcar Named Desire,” “The Glass Menagerie,” et. al. “Streetcar…” won him a Pulitzer Prize 62 1911-1983

63. Modern American (Post WW II) Era William Inge Considered the playwright of the 1950’s Wrote “Picnic” and “Busstop” 63 1913-1973

64. Modern American (Post WW II) Era Edward Albee The playwright of the 1960’s Wrote “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” 64 1928-

65. Theatre History: The End 65

66. Theatre History: Review Early/ Modern American 66