Rituals in Performance
- Year 10
Theatre emerged from myth and ritual. Early societies perceived connections
between certain actions performed by the group or leaders in the group and the
desired results of the whole society. Therefore, the repetition, rehearsal, and
formulation of these actions created ceremonies and rituals.
According to Joseph Campbell, rituals are related to three basic concerns: pleasure,
power and duty. Influencing and controlling events were often the intention of rituals
such as ceremonies to guarantee a successful crop, or to please the gods. Usually
societies had rituals that glorified supernatural powers, victories and heroes. Often
supernatural forms would be represented using costumes and masks. Rituals were
practiced not only because of duty to the gods, but because they brought
entertainment and pleasure.
Through these rituals, leaders, or actors of sorts, emerged. These acting/leadership
roles were often filled by elders and priests. In addition, the beginnings of acting
spaces or auditoriums developed as a result of more elaborate rituals.
While little information has survived about the origin of theatre, the information we
do have comes from wall paintings, decorations, artefacts and hieroglyphics that
show the importance of successful hunts, seasonal changes, life cycles and stories of
the gods. From these we also see the importance of passing along the experiences of
the old to the young through storytelling and dramatizing events. This practice gave
the young people of each culture a guide and plan for their own lives.
DRAMA –Year 10
Drama Rituals

Rituals are established and repeated practices that celebrate important moments in
human experience. Some common rituals
are:________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Rituals can include the following elements:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
The steps in a ritual can be divided into three phases:
1. Introduction and preparation. In this phase, the tone of the ritual is
established, preparations are completed and any cleansing or blessing is
undertaken.
2. The climatic moment. This is the moment of focus. The focus may represent
a change or turning point for individuals and the community, be it overcoming
evil, or a transformation from child to adult or from boy to warrior. This
moment may be told through re-enactment in dance-drama and can be
heightened with the use of symbol. For example the initiated is adorned with a
special item of clothing that is a symbol of their new status.
3. Confirmation. The ritual finishes by unifying the audience in a feeling of
common understanding and awareness. This could be a sense of leaving the
past and looking to the future. This section of the ritual may involve, for
example, a procession, chanting, comic performance or feasting.
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DRAMA – Year 10
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PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT TASK
You are to work in groups of five and draw on your own research of rituals in
different cultures to devise a ritual to present to an audience. You can adapt your
research on rituals and place the ritual you devise in any place and at any time.
The ritual will show distinct phases and include use of symbol and chorus work. It
will contain a moment of choreographed dance-drama at the climatic moment. This
point of focus will heighten the importance of the ritual to the community. The ritual
will focus on one or more human characters experiencing a new understanding or
achievement as the result of a difficult experience or test. The ritual could also
include mythical characters, for example spirits and gods who will provide tests,
guidance and advice.
You must incorporate the use of costume, make-up, props and music into your group
ritual. Your group will need to choose a piece of music to be a running sidetrack to
your ritual during the performance.
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PREPARATION – Creating and making a Ritual.
This performance task requires you to devise a ritual that celebrates a significant
moment. You need to research and consider different types of rituals. Although your
final group presentation may be fictional, it is important that the group is committed
to the purpose of the ritual. The performers’ commitment will encourage
commitment from the audience. The questions and tasks below will guide you
through the creative process of devising a ritual.
 Research different rituals from different cultures either within New Zealand or
from other countries around the world. Identify the purpose and importance of
the rituals you find in your research.
 Identify and explain the purpose of the ritual you devise.
 Decide the event on which your ritual will focus. For example it may focus on
a birth, death, creation, coming of age or harvest.
 What is the history of this ritual and why is it significant to the community?
 What drama skills can be incorporated to make sure the presentation of the
ritual flows smoothly?
 What symbols can be used to heighten moments of the performance?
Examples of symbols you may use are earth, air fire, water, precious metals,
emblems and totems.
 How could costumes or props be used in a symbolic way?
 What rhythmic sound or music tracks could be incorporated in the ritual?
 How can the audience be made part of the performance by altering and
changing the shape of the performance space during the ritual? Can the
audience be included in any parts of the ritual? (NOTE: When considering
how to include audience members in a performance you need to avoid
embarrassing or intimidating people because this could undermine the
success of your ritual.)