A look into the past…
INTRODUCTION TO GREEK THEATRE
STANDARD
8.0
Students will understand
context by analyzing the role of
theatre in the past and the
present.
OBJECTIVES

Objective 1: To recognize and identify the role that Ancient Greece played in
the overall development of theatre through out history.

Objective 2: To identify and correctly use vocabulary words that are
associated with Ancient Greek Theatre.

Objective 3: To research and present information on Ancient Greek Theatre
to their classmates by creating posters from their research.
STRUCTURE OF GREEK THEATRE
Performed in large open air structures.
 The core was the orchestra or “dancing place.”
 The audience sat in the Theatron or “seeing
“place”.
 An alter was placed in the middle of the
orchestra.

Odelon: 1st
attempt to cover
the space with a
tarp
Ikria- Wooden
Benches
/
SEEING PLACE
Thymele:
Alter
Dancing Place
/
Paradoi (Singular)
Ekkyklema: a wheelbarrow for
revealing dead bodies killed offstage
Entrances to
orchestra
Low Building
Machina:
Contraption from
flys to deliver an
actor (God)
Paraskenia: Scene Wall
AMPHITHEATRE
DIONYSUS
Dionysus was the god of wine, fertility, and
theatre.
 Dionysus was the son of Zeus.
 Considered the patron of the arts.
 Theatre was created to honor Dionysus.

DIONYSUS
CITY DIONYSIA
The festival celebrating Dionysus.
 All prisoners were freed.
 Master of Revels: person who selected the
plays and the order in which they would be
presented. He chose the choregoi.
 Choregoi: wealthy citizens who paid for plays
 Competed to see who could spend the most
money.

THE GREEK CHORUS
The Ancient Greeks had a chorus of chanting
and dancing men.
 Plays were called “dithyrambic chorus” and
sometime included up to 50 men.
 They sang in story.
 There were no single actors (yet).
 They would sing in a narrative way, “Dionysus
did this…Dionysus did that…”

THE CHORUS
THESPIS
Thespis of Icaria was the first actor (534 BC).
 The story suggests that Thespis stepped out of
the chorus and stated, “I am Dionysus. I did
this.”
 He spoke as a separate character in the story.
 From his name derives the word “Thespian”
meaning actor.

GREEK COSTUMES
Actors wore masks and costumes.
 High boots (cothurnus) were often worn with
robes (chiton).
 Masks had funnels in front to serve as a
microphones.
 Boots, masks, & costumes, were all
exaggerated to reach a large crowd.

COSTUMES
COSTUMES
PLAYWRIGHTS
Aeschylus: The 1st dramatist. Relied on the
chorus and used themes of myth and religion.
Introduced the 2nd actor.
 Sophocles: Introduced the 3rd actor. Reduced
the chorus from 50 to 12. Wrote about
character relationships not myth.
 Euripides: Plays about good vs evil. Chorus was
less important and served as playwright’s
voice.

TRAGIC FLAW

The flaw in a character that ultimately brings
about his or her downfall.
GREEK THEATRE PROJECT


Overview: In a group of 5, you and your team mates will
use the provided information to develop a presentation
on one aspect of Ancient Greek Theatre.
Steps:
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1. Read the information individually and highlight the
important points that you want to include in your
presentation.
2. Share what you highlighted with your group and choose
what will go on the poster.
3.Decide who will perform what role.
4. Create a poster to use during your presentation.
5. Present your poster and important points to the class.
GROUP ROLES

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•Leader/Editor: In charge of organizing the final product of the
project. That doesn't mean technical details, but of making sure that
the project meets the standards set out by the instructor.
•Recorder/Secretary: This person takes notes and keeps track of
group data. This person distributes these notes to the rest of the
group highlighting sections relevant for their parts of the project.
•Checker: Someone needs to double-check data for accuracy and
correctness.
•Spokesperson: This person would be responsible for the technical
details of the final product and would be ready to summarize the
group's progress and findings to the instructor and to the group.
•Facilitator/Time Keeper: This student gets discussion moving and
keeps it moving, often by asking the other group members questions,
and keeping the group on time.
■After the assignment is complete, you will be asked to reflect on your role in the
group.