The Performance The Performance ExperienceExperience

Rebecca Cooper, Maggie Rebecca Cooper, Maggie Reynolds, Casey Cameron and Reynolds, Casey Cameron and

Joey NizichJoey Nizich

Performers and their Performers and their experience in Ancient experience in Ancient

Greek theatresGreek theatres In Ancient Greece actors were always men. In Ancient Greece actors were always men. Women were not allowed to act. Women were not allowed to act. Males played female roles. Males played female roles. Called ‘hypocrites,’ not ‘actors’Called ‘hypocrites,’ not ‘actors’ men who played female roles had to wear men who played female roles had to wear

dresses and shoes called cothornous which were dresses and shoes called cothornous which were wooden and high heeledwooden and high heeled

Using the parado, or the stage right entrance, Using the parado, or the stage right entrance, showed the audience members that the person showed the audience members that the person has just come from town or a form of civilization. has just come from town or a form of civilization.

The left parado showed that the person was The left parado showed that the person was coming from a place in nature, such as a meadow coming from a place in nature, such as a meadow or a forest, as well as coming from abroad. or a forest, as well as coming from abroad.

Role of the chorusRole of the chorus

Greek shows consist of chorus’ singingGreek shows consist of chorus’ singing This music is used to emphasize the mood of This music is used to emphasize the mood of

the play and comes in at times to restate what the play and comes in at times to restate what has happened in order to make sure that the has happened in order to make sure that the audience understands the plotaudience understands the plot

This is very helpful in the understanding of the This is very helpful in the understanding of the play and allows for people to experience not play and allows for people to experience not only acting, but a musical experience as wellonly acting, but a musical experience as well

Many of the Greek actors played instruments Many of the Greek actors played instruments and sang as well, and were typically not and sang as well, and were typically not accepted into a theatre troupe unless they had accepted into a theatre troupe unless they had something artistically to offer (aside from something artistically to offer (aside from acting)acting)

The audience and their The audience and their experience at the theatreexperience at the theatre

The audience consisted of people from all over the The audience consisted of people from all over the Greek social hierarchy, but the social divisions Greek social hierarchy, but the social divisions were shown through the seating in the theatre. were shown through the seating in the theatre.

Typically, the upper class would sit more towards Typically, the upper class would sit more towards the front, whilst the lower class and people of the front, whilst the lower class and people of lower status would have to watch from the back. lower status would have to watch from the back.

The response of the audiences was very The response of the audiences was very important, as it influenced the decisions of the important, as it influenced the decisions of the judges, whom evaluated the plays and determined judges, whom evaluated the plays and determined their worth. their worth.

The theatres could typically hold up to 14,000 The theatres could typically hold up to 14,000 people. people.

Comprehension QuestionsComprehension Questions

1)1) What is the stage right entrance What is the stage right entrance called?called?

2)2) Did Greek Performers only act in Did Greek Performers only act in the plays they participated in?the plays they participated in?

3)3) Where would the lower class sit in Where would the lower class sit in the audience?the audience?

BibliographyBibliography

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Fonseca, Ruben. "Ancient Greek Theater." Fonseca, Ruben. "Ancient Greek Theater." Ancient Greek TheaterAncient Greek Theater. . Web. 18 Mar. 2011. Web. 18 Mar. 2011. <http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/arts/Architec/AncientArchite<http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/arts/Architec/AncientArchitectural/GreekArchitecture/GreekBuilding/Theater.htm>. ctural/GreekArchitecture/GreekBuilding/Theater.htm>.

Phillips, K. "ACTORS IN ANCIENT GREEK THEATRE." Phillips, K. "ACTORS IN ANCIENT GREEK THEATRE." Ancient Greek Ancient Greek StageStage. Web. 18 Mar. 2011. . Web. 18 Mar. 2011. <http://www.richeast.org/htwm/Greeks/theatre/stage.html>. <http://www.richeast.org/htwm/Greeks/theatre/stage.html>.

Phillips, K. "ACTORS IN ANCIENT GREEK THEATRE." Phillips, K. "ACTORS IN ANCIENT GREEK THEATRE." Stage Directions Stage Directions for Ancient Greek Theatrefor Ancient Greek Theatre. Web. 18 Mar. 2011. . Web. 18 Mar. 2011. <http://www.richeast.org/htwm/Greeks/theatre/Directions.html>. <http://www.richeast.org/htwm/Greeks/theatre/Directions.html>.

Phillips, K. "ACTORS IN ANCIENT GREEK THEATRE." Web. 18 Mar. Phillips, K. "ACTORS IN ANCIENT GREEK THEATRE." Web. 18 Mar. 2011. <http://www.richeast.org/htwm/Greeks/theatre/actors.html>. 2011. <http://www.richeast.org/htwm/Greeks/theatre/actors.html>.

"Tragic Costumes." "Tragic Costumes." TheatreHistory.comTheatreHistory.com. Ed. Alfred Bates. Web. 18 . Ed. Alfred Bates. Web. 18 Mar. 2011. Mar. 2011. <http://www.theatrehistory.com/ancient/bates014.html>. <http://www.theatrehistory.com/ancient/bates014.html>.