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?
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.
Son of Zeus and Semele God of wine, fertility, grapes, ecstasy, madness, pleasure, festivity, etc. One of the 12 Olympians Responsible for human impulses Divine 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).
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
A panoramic view of the Greek theatre at Epidaurus.
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
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.
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
Actors wore mask with exaggerated features and wide mouths so that their voices projected to the entire audience 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 and moved gracefully about the stage
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
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.
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
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.
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