Ancient Greek and Roman Theatre

Ancient Greek Theatre

• Emerged in 6th century BCE, Athens, Greece
• Influenced by myth, ritual, and poetry
• Key figures:
  • Thespis (first actor)
  • Aeschylus (first playwright)
  • Sophocles (added third actor)
  • Euripides (focused on human psychology)
  • Aristophanes (comedy playwright)
• Characteristics:
  • Tragedies (e.g., Oedipus Rex) and comedies
  • Use of masks, choruses, and minimal sets
  • Outdoor amphitheaters (e.g., Theatre of Dionysus)

Roman Theatre

• Developed from Greek theatre, 2nd century BCE
• Influenced by Greek and Etruscan traditions
• Key features:
  • Amphitheaters (e.g., Colosseum)
  • Mimes and pantomimes
  • Use of scenery and stage machinery
  • Popular entertainment (e.g., gladiatorial contests)

Medieval Theatre

• Emerged in Europe, 5th century CE
• Influenced by Christian church and folk traditions
• Key features:
  • Mystery plays (e.g., Passion Play)
  • Morality plays (e.g., Everyman)
  • Use of pageants, processions, and outdoor performances
  • Actors were often amateurs or clergy

Renaissance Theatre

• Developed in Europe, 15th century CE
• Influenced by classical Greek and Roman theatre
• Key features:
  • Revival of classical drama (e.g., Shakespeare)
  • Emergence of professional theatre companies
  • Use of perspective scenery and stage machinery
  • Development of commedia dell'arte

17th and 18th Centuries

• Developed in Europe, particularly England and France
• Key features:
  • Restoration comedy (e.g., Wycherley, Congreve)
  • Development of neoclassicism (e.g., Racine, Molière)
  • Emergence of actresses (e.g., Nell Gwyn)
  • Use of proscenium arch and perspective scenery

19th and 20th Centuries

• Developed in Europe and Americas
• Key features:
  • Realism and naturalism (e.g., Ibsen, Chekhov)
  • Development of avant-garde and experimental theatre
  • Emergence of modernist movements (e.g., Expressionism, Surrealism)
  • Influence of non-Western theatre traditions (e.g., Kabuki, Noh)

Non-Western Theatre Traditions

• Developed in Asia, Africa, and Americas
• Key features:
  • Traditional forms (e.g., Noh, Kabuki, Kathakali)
  • Influenced by local mythology, folklore, and culture
  • Use of masks, puppets, and stylized movement
  • Often performed in outdoor or ritual settings

Ancient Greek Theatre

• Emerged in 6th century BCE, Athens, Greece, influenced by myth, ritual, and poetry
• Thespis, the first actor, introduced the concept of acting
• Aeschylus, the first playwright, wrote tragedies and developed the art of drama
• Sophocles added a third actor, increasing the dramatic possibilities
• Euripides focused on human psychology, exploring complexities of human nature
• Aristophanes, a comedy playwright, used satire and irony to comment on society
• Tragedies, like Oedipus Rex, and comedies were the main genres
• Masks, choruses, and minimal sets were used to convey meaning and emotion
• Outdoor amphitheaters, like the Theatre of Dionysus, were used for performances

Roman Theatre

• Developed from Greek theatre, 2nd century BCE, incorporating Greek and Etruscan traditions
• Amphitheaters, like the Colosseum, were built for large-scale entertainment
• Mimes and pantomimes were popular forms of entertainment
• Scenery and stage machinery were used to create elaborate productions
• Gladiatorial contests were a common form of entertainment

Medieval Theatre

• Emerged in Europe, 5th century CE, influenced by Christian church and folk traditions
• Mystery plays, like the Passion Play, retold biblical stories
• Morality plays, like Everyman, conveyed moral lessons and teachings
• Pageants, processions, and outdoor performances were common
• Actors were often amateurs or clergy, with limited professional training

Renaissance Theatre

• Developed in Europe, 15th century CE, reviving classical Greek and Roman drama
• Classical drama was revived, influencing playwrights like Shakespeare
• Professional theatre companies emerged, with trained actors and directors
• Perspective scenery and stage machinery were used to create illusions
• Commedia dell'arte, a improvisational form, emerged in Italy

17th and 18th Centuries

• Developed in Europe, particularly England and France, with a focus on Restoration comedy
• Playwrights like Wycherley and Congreve wrote witty, satirical comedies
• Neoclassicism, led by Racine and Molière, emphasized classical forms and structure
• Actresses, like Nell Gwyn, emerged, challenging traditional gender roles
• The proscenium arch and perspective scenery became common features

19th and 20th Centuries

• Developed in Europe and Americas, with a focus on realism and naturalism
• Playwrights like Ibsen and Chekhov pushed the boundaries of drama
• Avant-garde and experimental theatre emerged, challenging traditional forms
• Modernist movements, like Expressionism and Surrealism, influenced theatre
• Non-Western theatre traditions, like Kabuki and Noh, influenced Western theatre

Non-Western Theatre Traditions

• Developed in Asia, Africa, and Americas, with unique cultural and mythological influences
• Traditional forms, like Noh, Kabuki, and Kathakali, were highly stylized and formalized
• Masks, puppets, and stylized movement were used to convey meaning and emotion
• Often performed in outdoor or ritual settings, blending theatre and ceremony