The following slides are ALL of the notes/slides given throughout the entire Greek Theatre Unit.

Transcription

1 The following slides are ALL of the notes/slides given throughout the entire Greek Theatre Unit. I also included 3 previously unpublished bonus slides including pictures from the costume creation section. Quiz questions may come from any part. The review we did in class on 10/7 and 10/8 should be a good guide on what I ll expect. Pay attention to definitions/locations/people/requirements these are things I tend to lean towards when I create tests and quizzes.

2 Were you aware of the amount of research a costume designer is required to do? Explain. Do you understand how to integrate costume with character symbols and traits? Give an example. How do you feel about your costume design skills? What are your strengths/weaknesses? What can you do to improve?

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4 Greek Drama reflected the flaws and values of Greek society. In turn, members of society internalized both the positive and negative messages, and incorporated them into their daily lives. This concept of exposing society s flaws and allowing the audience to learn from them is evident in contemporary theater.

5 Son of Zeus and Semele God of wine, fertility, grapes, ecstasy, madness, pleasure, festivity, etc. One of the 12 Olympians Responsible for human impulses Devine mission: eradicate all care and worry Described as feminine; man-womanish Honored him through theater festivals wait a moment while I fetch you some mellow wine, so that you may first make liberation to Zeus and the other immortals and then, if you like, enjoy a drink for yourself. Wine is a great comfort to a weary man (Hecabe to Hector. Homer, Iliad 6.260).

6 Athens was the first democratic government, yet still promoted slavery. Greek city-state known for its cultural, political and military power between 550 and 220 BCE Ancient Greeks believed in multiple gods and centered their lives around them. Both theatre and the Olympics as we know them started in Ancient Greece. Ancient Greeks were very proud and warlike. Would fight among city states, yet band together when their country was threatened. Festival known as City Dionysia held in March in honor of Dionysus. Statue of Dionysus was carried into theater so that he could observe the performance

7 A panoramic view of the Greek theatre at Epidaurus.

8 The initial setting for theatres was a tent in front of a circle of dirt with the audience sitting on a hill. First formal Greek theater, the Theatre of Dionysus, was built in Athens between 550 and 534 BCE Theatres had to accommodate huge crowds, literally thousands and thousands of people. Front rows reserved for distinguished visitors Open-air theater Simple surrounding allowed audience to devote full attention to characters

9 Skene (meaning Hut or tent): Building behind the orchestra. There were often one or two entrances on the side, usually decorated as a palace, or temple, Depending what was needed in the play. Orkesthestra (meaning Dancing place): The semi-circular area in front of the skene. This was the playing area. Parados (meaning- passageway) Gangway entries for the chorus on either side of the skene. Theatron (meaning- viewing place): The area where the spectators sat. Originally just referred to the audience. Thymele (meaning- alter): A platform in the orchestra which either an alter of Dionysus stood or the leader of the chorus.

10 The eccyclema- object that is rolled out In the rare occasion that violence was depicted onstage, a slain victim was usually rolled out on this device The deus ex machina- god machine Crane used to fly in gods Occasionally used for comic effect In general, playwrights liked to leave much of the action to the audience s imagination

11 Actors wore mask with exaggerated features and wide mouths so that their voices projected to the entire audience Masks contained megaphones to help projection Wore long, trailing robes with elaborate designs At the bottom of each of the actors shoes was a 6 inch wooden sole to make them appear tall and intimidating Carried themselves with grand esteem an moved gracefully about the stage

12 Job of choregos (think The Producers ) to pay all expenses on a production, bulk of which went toward providing training and costumes for chorus An estimate of approximately 1500 people needed to stage a play A Greek historian named Plutarch claimed that Athenians spent more on their plays than on their military defense Originally, admittance fee was 2 obolus Later, Pericles made it free It was either sink or swim when getting production on it s feet

13 Playwrights had to be writers, as well as composers, choreographers, designers, directors and actors Only men were allowed on stage Playwrights only received pay if they won first prize Actors were chosen by lot from a pool of professionals Speaking parts were allotted to three male characters Switched costumes and masks if more characters were required to advance the plotline.

14 Thespis First actor First winner of the Dionysia Developed Tragedy Established dialogue between himself, the first actor and the chorus Added chorus into the mix Responsible for many other theater rituals, such as the wearing if masks Later Aeschylus established a second actor and Sophocles added a third actor

15 The word chorus literally means dance Most Greek choruses blended music, dance and song Chorus began with 50 members, but dwindled to about 12-15, as the training and costuming for them was very costly Chorus entered orchestra during Parados and remained there for the whole play Purpose of chorus was to create foreshadowing and suspense Helps audience feel more involved in play Also to help the audience come to their own conclusions about the events unfolding before them.

16 Performance always preceded by a sacrifice to Dionysus Prologue- The introduction of the main character and background of the play Parodos- The entrance song of the chorus Episode- Dialogue between the characters and the chorus Stasima- At the end of the episode, the chorus reflects on what has been said and done. The play flips back and forth between Episode and Stasima 3 to 6 times. Exodos: The final resolution

17 Tragedy Comedy Satyr

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19 Means literally goat s song Developed a number of specific criteria over time Focused on stories based on the distant past, be it myth or historical. (However, playwrights could alter the story as they wanted) Tragedies focused on a central character, the tragic hero, who is better than the common man. Filled with imperfections and flaws Downfall is their own fault due to their own choices. Their hubris (pride) gets in the way, and they realize too late the path they have taken, no matter how many times the chorus warns him. They pay dearly for their actions. Late point of attack (the plot pyramid is more of a shark fin) Violence and death takes place off stage (using the eccyclema) Frequent use of messengers to move plot along

20 Centered around the rise and downfall of the hero The conclusion of a tragedy was usually a messenger coming out to tell the audience of the tragic consequences of the characters actions Parts of tragedy Plot- Self-contained beginning, middle, end. Character- the main character must be good, moral, believable, and consistent Thought- Sense and meaning that goes into the lines Diction- Expression of words Song- Refers to the chorus Spectacle- The staging of the play

21 What is a way that Greek comedy or tragedy connects to your life? Does a TV show, movie, or book have similar qualities? Explain. Why do you think that the Greek model for comedy and tragedy still exists today? Which seems more interesting, tragedy or comedy? Why?

22 Slapstick and crude humor Focused on current events and figures. Festival of Lenaia held in March Comedies usually concluded with a happy ending and the characters find a resolution to the original conflict Full of farce and fantasy The chorus was much larger than that of tragedy ½ of the chorus was on the side of the tragic hero ½ of the chorus was against them Could represent a human or non-human group

23 Only one play remains today Lewd, bawdy, scandalous, and burlesque Basically, they re absurdly dirty. Often a mockery of the gods and heros Similar structure to tragedy Used to break the mood during tragedy competitions

24 Tragedy Aeschylus ( B.C.) Wrote 80 plays; 7 survived Introduced the 2 nd actor Most plays were trilogies Sophocles ( B.C) Wrote 100+ plays; 7 survived Introduced the 3 rd actor Fixed the chorus at 15 Euripides ( B.C) Wrote 90 plays; 18 survived Father of Melodrama Frequent use of deus ex machina More realistic Used topics considered unsuitable for the stage Comedy Aristophanes ( B.C.) Wrote 50 plays; 11 survived Considered Old Comedy Menander ( B.C) Only fragments of his plays survive Created New Comedy

25 Greek Both Modern Maximum of 3 male actors, in addition to chorus Plays divided into prologue, parados, episodes, stasimons and exodus Have a moral that actors/director/ playwright is trying to convey to audience Integrate music, dance and story As many characters and of any gender as playwright deems necessary Plays divided into scenes and acts Few and very simple special effects and props The Tragedy and The Comedy, including slapstick and satyr Many complex special effects and props Some religious significance Reaction of audience is very important to life of a play Purely entertainment Playwright was responsible to write, direct, choreograph, design and sometimes act in a play Similar set-up of theater Specific jobs are given to specialists. i.e. playwright writes script, director directs actors, etc.

26 Chiton Appropriate for male or female. A single rectangle of fabric. Fastened at both shoulders. Could either be knee length or ankle length. Worn alone or with other elements. Himation Appropriate for males or females (females would have to wear higher up on torso for modesty s sake) Constructed out of a single piece of fabric. Draped around body and covering a single shoulder. Worn alone or with other elements.

27 Chlamys A cloak or wrap that was worn pinned on one shoulder, usually leaving the right arm free. Generally only worn by males. Used in combination with other styles of clothing. Peplos Similar to the chiton, but specifically made for females. Constructed similarly, but added a folded drape along the top.

28 Thanks for watching!

29 Research: Any good designer knows that they must do extensive research to understand the character they are designing. Things to research? Past designs/sketches, historical costume requirements, script requirements for costume Design: Get it down on paper. Ideally, include measurements. Create: Bring your design to life by turning a piece of fabric into a costume!