What you need to know about the ancient Greek Theaters
What was the physical structure of the theater?Theatron: Literally
meaning “seeing place” is where the spectator sat. The theatron would normally
be wrapped around most of the orchestra.
Orchestra: Literally meaning “dancing space” is the core of the ancient Greek Theaters where the chorus would dance, sing, and interact with the actors that were on the skene. They were normally circular in shape. Skene: Literally meaning “tent” was a building behind the stage. It was decorated accordingly to the play and would have one or two doors and an upper platform so that the actors could make entrances and exits through them. The actors would also have their mask and costumes here so they could perform quick changes out of the sight of the audience. Parodos: Translating to “passageways” where paths on the sides of the theatron by which chorus and actor would make their entrances and exits. Also the parodos served as the entrances and exits of the audience before and after the play. Costumes and Masks
The
actors were normally so far away from the audience that the actors would have to wear exaggerated costumes and masks to make it easier to see to
the audience. The costumes also help indicate the social status, gender, and age of the character.
The masks were made of linen and cork and were painted with the expression that the actor was trying to portray. Tragic mask consisted of mournful expressions. The shape of the mask also amplified the actor's voice and made it easier for the audience to hear the actors.
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sources:
"Ancient Greek Theatre." Ancient Greek Theatre. N.p., 29 Mar. 2000. Web. 22 Feb. 2013. <http://www.richeast.org/htwm/greeks/theatre/theatre.html>.
"Ancient Greek Theatre." Greek Theatre. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2013. <http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/Theatre/>.
Englert, Walter. "Greek Theater." Greek Theater. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2013. <http://academic.reed.edu/humanities/110tech/theater.html>.
Fonseca, Ruben. "Ancient Greek Theater." Ancient Greek Theater. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2013. <http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/arts/architec/ancientarchitectural/greekarchitecture/greekbuilding/theater.htm>.
"Masks, Costumes, and Props." City Dionysia. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2013. <http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/interactives/greece/theater/playersProps.html>.
McManus, Barbara F. "Structure of the Greek Theater." Structure of the Greek Theater. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2013. <http://www2.cnr.edu/home/bmcmanus/tragedy_theater.html>.
Touropia. "14 Ancient Theatres of Greek Roman Antiquity." Touropia RSS. N.p., 22 Mar. 2009. Web. 22 Feb. 2013. <http://www.touropia.com/ancient-theatres-of-greek-roman-antiquity/>.
"Ancient Greek Theatre." Ancient Greek Theatre. N.p., 29 Mar. 2000. Web. 22 Feb. 2013. <http://www.richeast.org/htwm/greeks/theatre/theatre.html>.
"Ancient Greek Theatre." Greek Theatre. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2013. <http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/Theatre/>.
Englert, Walter. "Greek Theater." Greek Theater. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2013. <http://academic.reed.edu/humanities/110tech/theater.html>.
Fonseca, Ruben. "Ancient Greek Theater." Ancient Greek Theater. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2013. <http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/arts/architec/ancientarchitectural/greekarchitecture/greekbuilding/theater.htm>.
"Masks, Costumes, and Props." City Dionysia. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2013. <http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/interactives/greece/theater/playersProps.html>.
McManus, Barbara F. "Structure of the Greek Theater." Structure of the Greek Theater. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2013. <http://www2.cnr.edu/home/bmcmanus/tragedy_theater.html>.
Touropia. "14 Ancient Theatres of Greek Roman Antiquity." Touropia RSS. N.p., 22 Mar. 2009. Web. 22 Feb. 2013. <http://www.touropia.com/ancient-theatres-of-greek-roman-antiquity/>.