A Brief and
Comprehensive Look at
THEATRE HISTORY
Theatre Arts I
Tiffany C. Burgess
East Forsyth High School
PRIMITIVE THEATRE
Reenactments of a hunt; individuals would
represent the hunter and the prey
Performed ‘acts’ for the SHAMAN- the
religious leader of the tribe in hopes that
he would bless the upcoming hunt
Men would hunt
Women would gather
GREEK THEATRE
 Religious festival in honor of the God
DIONYSUS; the God of Wine and Fertility
 Held in Athens
 The festival…nicely put was basically a drunken
orgy
 The festival was thought to have lasted
anywhere from 7 to 15 days
 Playwrights would enter plays into a contest; the
winner won money and a ivy wreath as a symbol
of victory
GREEK THEATRE
 THESPIS is credited as the first actor; stepped
away from the chorus and delivered lines
independently from the chorus (International
Thespian Society is named in his honor); actors
are generally referred to as thespians
 Actors of Greek theatre played more than one
role; to distinguish between the different
characters actors would wear large masks; the
comedy and tragedy mask (symbol of theatre)
originated from this practice
GREEK THEATRE
 COMEDY: light humorous dramas with a happy
ending
 TRAGEDY: the main character suffers a
disastrous end
 SATYR (satire): made fun of Greek legends
 All of these play types were written and
performed during this time period… although the
interpretation of these art forms has evolved
they are still the general dramatic forms still
written and performed at present
GREEK THEATRE
Greek philosopher ARISTOTLE wrote the
work The Poetics; important topics of
theatre such as PLOT (what happens),
THEME (the ideas and messages),
CHARACTER, MUSIC, DICTION
(speech), and SPECTACLE (what is seen)
were discussed… these topics are still the
primary focus of theatre actors and
directors in modern theatre
GREEK THEATRE
Greek theatres were constructed in hillsides using
the natural slope of the hill for seating the
audience
ORCHESTRA: Large circular area located at
the foot of the hill; location from where the
chorus would chant their lines
Behind the ORCHESTRA was a raised platform
where the actors performed a small building
called the SKENE was at the back of the
platform-it was where the actors would
change their masks- the front of the SKENE
was used to represent location; modern day
word SCENE comes from SKENE
GREEK THEATRE
 Greek theatre used specialty machinery; most
noted was the platform on wheels and the DEUS
EX MACHINA (literally translated God by
Machine)-a device used to lower actors from
the top of the SKENE to the stage; used to
show the dissention of Gods from the Heavens
to earth
 Greek era considered to be the most important
time in theatre history
GREEK PLAYWRIGHTS
SOPHOCLES: wrote tragedies;
Oedipus Rex
AESCHYLUS: wrote tragedies
EURIPIDES: wrote tragedies
ARISTOPHANES: wrote comedies
MENANDER: wrote comedies
THE MIDDLE AGES
 Other names for this period in history include the
Dark Ages and the Medieval Era
 Theatre was banned by the church during the
Middle Ages because it was thought to be evil
and vulgar
 In an effort to spread the teachings of God
further into society CYCLE plays were
developed and performed during church
services as well as in the towns and villages;
CYCLES: A series of biblical plays
THE MIDDLE AGES
Traveling performers presented their plays
from PAGEANT WAGONS
Even after banning theatre the church is
credited with giving the theatre new life in
the latter part of the Middle Ages
After theatre began to take up too much
time in the church service the
responsibility of the performances was
turned over to the CRAFT GUILDS
RENAISSANCE
Meaning re-birth – a renewed interest in
the arts and sciences
The birthplace of the Renaissance was
Italy during the 15th Century
During this time period theatre was very
influential and elaborately staged
productions were used to entertain the
royal courts and the upper class.
RENAISSANCE
Theatre moved indoors and better
methods of lighting were developed
Realistic 3-D scenery began to be used
Italian theatre was set within in an arch
called the PROSCENIUM-which serves as
a picture frame through which the
audience viewed the performance
Music, song, and dance were incorporated
into theatrical productions
RENAISSANCE
Opera became very “fashionable” for the
upper class during the Renaissance:
considered prestigious and artful
Commedia dell’ arte became “fashionable”
for the middle and lower class during the
Renaissance: considered crass and with
low reputation; all work was improvised
Commedia dell’ arte was mostly performed
by traveling groups
RENAISSANCE
Stock characters were used in all
commedia plays
The most important of the characters was
Harlequin- the clever servant-recognized
by his patchwork costume
Pantalone-the foolish old man-recognized
by his baggy trousers; present day word
pants was derived from name and
costume
RENAISSANCE
The Renaissance spread throughout
Europe; the French often imitated the
Italian theatre
Spain performed religious dramas and
adventure plays
RENAISSANCE PLAYWRIGHTS
 MOLIERE, France; Tartuffe
 Lope De Vega, Spain; wrote religious and
adventure plays
 Calderon, Spain; wrote religious and adventure
plays
 Between these two men there are over 700
plays to their credit.
ELIZABETHAN THEATRE
 The Renaissance of England; known as the
Elizabethan era as it took place during the reign
of Queen Elizabeth I
 During this time their were several talented and
noteworthy playwrights such as Christopher
Marlowe who wrote important tragedies and Ben
Jonson who wrote important comedies but their
plays were overshadowed by William
Shakespeare…who is thought to be the greatest
English playwright of all time.
Shakespeare’s Theatre
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: 37+ plays and
100+ poems and sonnets to his credit
Shakespeare’s works were enjoyed by
both the royal court as well as the
common people
Audience members did not expect realistic
portrayals of life during the
Shakespearean time period
Shakespeare’s Theatre: The Globe
Shakespeare and his partners built The
Globe theater in 1599 in Southwark;
located on the bank of the Thames River
 The Globe was a 3 storied building with a
small hut on top of the roof
A flag was raised atop the hut on the days
when there was to be a performance
The Globe enclosed an open courtyard;
the courtyard was referred to as the pit
Shakespeare’s Theatre: The Globe
 The GROUNDLINGS would stand to watch the
performances from this area; these were the
cheapest seats in the house
 Surrounding the pit were the SEATING
GALLERIES where patrons would sit to watch
the performances; these were the more
expensive seats; patrons seated here were
protected from the sun and rain by the thatch
roof
Shakespeare’s Theatre: The Globe
The MAIN STAGE- a large platform that
protruded from one end of the pit; most of
the action in the play took place on the
MAIN STAGE
A trap-door was cut into the center of the
MAIN STAGE to allow ghost and demons
to appear and disappear during the plays
The trap-door was also used as a grave in
some plays
Shakespeare’s Theatre: The Globe
 A roof covered the MAIN STAGE; this
protected the actors and their costumes from
sun and rain
 Suns, moons and stars covered the under
side of the roof; this area became known as
the HEAVENS because of its decorative
drawings
 Actors portraying angels and spirits were
often lowered from the HEAVENS to the
MAIN STAGE area
Shakespeare’s Theatre: The Globe
 A curtain hung between the MAIN STAGE and
the INNER-BELOW- a small room in back of the
MAIN STAGE area
 The curtain would open to reveal interior
locations during a scene
 Above was a balcony that overlooked the MAIN
STAGE area
 Behind the balcony was another curtain that
lead to the INNER-ABOVE which was used in
the same manner as the INNER-BELOW
Shakespeare’s Theatre: The Globe
Two additional balconies were located on
each side of the MAIN STAGE
No scenery was used during
performances
Furniture was used to indicate location
Thrones were used to indicate palaces or
castles
Tree branches were used to indicate an
exterior or outdoor location
Shakespeare’s Theatre: The Globe
Plays contained many short scenes in a
variety of locations
Since no scenery and special lighting was
used a greater emphasis was placed on
colorful and elaborate costumes, musical
accompaniment and special sound effects
RESTORATION
Puritans forced King Charles I out of
power; after his death the Commonwealth
was established but ended in 1660 when
Charles II was named king…thus begins
the Restoration Era
Return from exile on France Charles II
brought many French influenced changes
to the theatre
RESTORATION
Charles II issued royal patents to two of
his friends which allowed them to establish
two officially legitimate theaters
These were the only 2 theater groups
allowed to perform in London
The term legitimate is still used to refer to
LIVE THEATRE
One of the groups built the Drury Lane; a
theatre still in operation today
RESTORATION
For the first time beginning in 1660 women
were allowed to appear and perform
onstage
At first the idea was extremely
controversial but eventually the idea of
female actors (actresses) became very
popular
RESTORATION
THOMAS BETTERTON eras most famous
actor
ELIZABETH BARRY, ANNE
BRACEGIRDLE and NELL GWYNN most
famous actresses of the era
During the 18th Century DAVID GARRICK
achieved fame as an actor, playwright and
theater manager; still referred to as
England’s greatest actor
RESTORATION
Most audience members were part of the
upper class; all classes no longer attended
the theater
Playwrights wrote to please the new
selective audiences; often including
current gossip as content in their plays
Generally audience members went to the
theater to be seen not to see the
performances
RESTORATION
The wealthy patrons often sent their
servants early to save the best seats;
patrons would usually arrive after the
performance had already begun
Ladies would typically wear masks at the
theater to hide their identities
RESTORATION PLAYWRIGHTS
 WILLIAM WYCHERLEY; The Country Wife
 RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN; The
Rivals, The School for Scandal
 WILLIAM CONGREVE, The Way of the
World
 OLIVER GOLDSMITH, She Stoops to
Conquer
 APHRA BEHN; one of theatre’s first woman
playwrights
ROMANTICISM
 Major literary and artistic for of the 19th century
 Romantic theatre represented life as people
wished it would be rather than how it really was
 Beliefs of the period were driven by the
individuals feelings and emotions
 Began in Germany
 The most popular entertainment form of the
period was the MELODRAMA-an emphasis on
the story as opposed to the characters
ROMANTICISM
Special effects emerge onstage during this
era; special effects shown onstage
included fires, floods, train wrecks, and
horse races
Over-exaggeration vocal techniques and
gesturing were indicative of the Romantic
acting style
ROMANTIC PLAYWRIGHTS
JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE:
The Faust
ALEXANDER DUMAS: The Three
Musketeers, The Count of Monte Cristo
REALISM
 Began in reaction to Romanticism
 Represented things as they were in real life
 Dealt with social problems
 Scientific discoveries were often incorporated
into the storyline of the Realist plays
 The mind ruled over the emotions
 Most plays did not have a happy ending
 Initially not very popular art form
 Still a major artistic form today
REALISM
New acting style became necessary with
Realism; more subtle and believable
CONSTANTIN STANISLAVSKY: a
Russian actor and director and fellow
colleagues from the Moscow Art Theatre
developed “METHOD ACTING”
Still has a great impact on acting
techniques used today
REALIST PLAYWRIGHTS
 HENRIK IBSEN: the father of Realism; wrote
about subjects that had never been in plays
before- A Doll’s House, Hedda Gabbler, An
Enemy of the People- work considered very
controversial for the time
 AUGUST STRINDBERG: explored the
psychology of character; The Father
 Anton Chekhov: wrote about changing society in
Russia; The Cherry Orchard
 George Bernard Shaw: dealt with political and
social issues
MODERN THEATRE
ADOLPHE APPIA & GORDON CRAIG
improved scenery and further developed
the 3-D scenery design
Incorporated MOOD & ATMOSPHERE
into the theatre with the use of lighting
Latter 20th century regional theatres are
established
Theatre today continues to grow and
exhibit a mix of styles
MODERN PLAYWRIGHTS
EUGENE O’NEILL: first American
Playwright to achieve an international
reputation; Anna Christie, The Hairy Ape,
Long Days Journey Into Night
TENNESSE WILLIAMS
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, A Streetcar Named
Desire, The Glass Menagerie
AUTHUR MILLER
The Crucible, Death of a Salesman
MODERN PLAYWRIGHTS
LORRAINE HANSBERRY: first prominent
African-American female playwright
A Raisin in the Sun
MUSICAL THEATRE
Musicals are the most popular form of
theatrical entertainment
The musical tells a story through a
combination of spoken words (dialogue),
song and dance
The musical first appears in the United
States in the mid-1800’s
MUSICAL THEATRE
The first musical was The Black Crook
The Black Crook was first performed in
1866
Early musicals had a strong European
influence
RUDOLF FRIMEL, SIGMUND
RHOMBERG, AND VICTOR HERBERT
were the three major musical composers
at the beginning of the 20th century
MUSICAL THEATRE
 Musicals written by these three include: Naughty
Marietta, The Red Mill, The Student Prince, and
Rose Marie
 George M. Cohan is the first major American
born musical composer.
 Cohan’s musicals include: Little Johnny Jones
and Forty-five Minutes from Broadway
 During this time, music from Broadway musicals
was considered the Popular music of the time
and was what was being played on the radio
MUSICAL THEATRE
 Other Notable American Composers include:
 Jerome Kern, Showboat
 Showboat, is one of the most important musicals
ever written because it was the first to deal with
serious subject matters and done in a realistic
manner
 George & Ira Gershwin, Of Thee I Sing
 The popular song “Old Man River” was written
for this musical
 Of Thee I Sing was the first musical awarded the
Pulitzer Prize in 1932
MUSICAL THEATRE
 Irving Berlin, Annie Get Your Gun (1946)
 Cole Porter, Kiss Me Kate, Anything Goes
 Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein,
Showboat, Oklahoma! (1943), The King and I,
The Sound of Music
 Oklahoma! Is the first to present the musical as
a unified combination of music, words and
dance that flowed with seamless transitions to
tell the story
 This presentation is still the president for the
manner in which musicals are presented today
MUSICAL THEATRE
 Notable composers of the 1950-1960’s:
 Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, My Fair
Lady, Camelot
 Leonard Bernstein, West Side Story
 Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story, Company,
Sweeny Todd
 Fiddler on the Roof by Jerry Bock and Sheldon
Harnick established a Broadway record with
3000 performance
 Michael Bennett, A Chorus Line broke the
Fiddler on the Roof performance record just a
few years later
MUSICAL THEATRE
Andrew Lloyd Webber is the most
important modern musical composer in
history
Webber’s works include: Cats, Phantom of
the Opera and Evita
Stephen Schwartz, Godspell, Pippen,
Children of Eden, Wicked
THEATRE HISTORY
THE END.