History of Drama PDF

The HISTORY of DRAMAAn Exploration into the Human Story The History of Drama Prehistoric Period Greek Period Roman Period Medieval Period Renaissance Period Modern Period Prehistoric Period The earliest recorded theatrical event dates back to 2000 B.C. with the passion plays of Ancient Egypt. T...

The HISTORY of DRAMAAn Exploration into the Human Story The History of Drama Prehistoric Period Greek Period Roman Period Medieval Period Renaissance Period Modern Period Prehistoric Period The earliest recorded theatrical event dates back to 2000 B.C. with the passion plays of Ancient Egypt. The story of the god Osiris was performed annually at festivals throughout the civilization, marking the known beginning of a long relationship between theater and religion. Prehistoric Period Another text that exists is the so-called Memphite Drama, also on the subject of the death and resurrection of Osiris, said to have been performed on the first day of spring. The acting of those days must certainly have been quite as realistic as that of any modern stage, for later Greek historians tell us that many actor-warriors died of the wounds received in the "sham" battles between the enemies of Osiris and the forces led by his son, Horus. GREEK DRAMA(From 7th Century B.C.E) During the Greek Classical Era, Thalia became the muse of comedy, while Melpomene became known as the muse of tragedy. Greek established term "drama" comes from a Greek word meaning "deed" or "act" (Classical Greek: δρᾶμα, drâma), which is derived from "I do" Established Three Genre Comedy Tragedy Satyr GREEK THEATRE(From 7th Century B.C.E) Greek theatre was created to celebrate religious festivals. A chorus was used to either sing or chant the script. It is unknown if Thespis was a playwright, an actor or a priest, but he has been credited for creating the “first actor” who broke away from the chorus and would speak to the chorus as an individual character. This is why actors are also known as “Thespians”. Greek Theatre – The creation of Character The following playwrights contributed to the creation of character: Aeschylus introduced the idea ofa using a second and third actor which allowed for interaction between characters. Sophocles continued the creation of character by using the chorus less, and creating more dialogue between characters. ROMAN THEATRE(From Approximately the 4th Century B.C.E) The Romans were greatly influenced by Greek Theatre. The word “play” comes from the Latin word “ludus” which means recreation or play. The Roman playwright Terence introduced the concept of a subplot allowing the audience to contrast the reactions of different characters to the same events or circumstances. Roman Theatre was less influenced by religion than Greek theatre. ROMAN THEATRE The audience was often loud and rude. The audience did not applaud, but rather were always shouting insults and booing. Since the audience was so loud, much of the plays were pantomimed and repetitive. The actors developed a code which would tell the audience about a character just by looking at them. For example: A black wig: the character was a young man A red wig: the character was a slave. A yellow robe: the character was a woman A yellow tassel: the character was a god. Medieval European Theatre(Approximately began in the 5th Century) After the fall of the Roman Empire, cities were abandoned, and Europe became increasingly more agricultural. After several hundred years, towns re-emerged. The Roman Catholic Church dominated religion, education and politics. It also had a strong influence on theatre. Theatre was “reborn” as “liturgical dramas” which were written in Latin and performed by priests or church members. Plots were taken from the Christian Bible. Performances also were held to celebrate religious festivals (as in Greek times) Medieval European Theatre Later “vernacular dramas” were written in common language (therefore everyone could understand). These plays were performed in town squares on wagon stages. There were three types of “vernacular dramas”: Mystery plays – based on the Old and New Testament Miracle plays – based on the lives of the saints Morality plays – taught a lesson through symbolic characters representing virtues or faults. Renaissance and Reformation(Approximately began in the 15th Century)Italy’s Contribution Further contributions to Theatre were made by Italians through the development of the proscenium, or “picture frame stage”. Renaissance and Reformation In the 16th Century, England’s government swung back and forth from Catholicism to Protestantism. Playwrights who worked to revive plays written in Latin, were believed to be supporting the Catholic Church. Playwrights who worked to revive Greek plays were associated with Protestantism. Depending on who was in power at the time, a playwright could be put to death for reviving the “wrong” play. Many playwrights began to avoid the revival of classic work, and wrote non-political and non-religious plays. Renaissance and ReformationTheatre is Threatened The political problems in England at the time made theatre “dangerous”. Theatres were also associated with the temptation to spend time watching performances instead of working. Theatres were also associated with prostitution since prostitutes would be in the area where plays were performed, and sometimes were even in the audience. Added to the political problems, fear of the plague closed theatres. These conditions lead to the licensing of acting companies which lead to more control of theatre by the state. Elizabethan Theatre(16th Century) William Shakespeare is the best playwright in the history of theatre. During this time period, there are other notable playwrights including: Christopher Marlowe and Ben Jonson. Shakespeare and his contemporaries encouraged a more natural style of speaking and acting. They also explored the theme of “good government”. Shakespeare’s characters were also more “human” with both positive and negative aspects of their character being explored. 18th Century Theatre In the 18th Century, Theatre became a popular pastime. During the first half of the 18th century, actors assumed poses and performed their lines in a “sing-song” manner. Actors dressed in modern fashionable clothes. There was a rivalry between actresses as to who would wear the finest dress. Pantomime was still popular and promoted the development of spectacular staging, slapstick and special effects. 19th Century TheatreLighting and Stage Advancements The Industrial Revolution of the 19th Century changed theatre as well. Gas lighting was first introduced in 1817 in London’s Drury Lane Theatre. By the end of the century, electrical lighting made its appearance on stage. Elaborate mechanisms for changing scenery were developed, including fly-lofts, elevators, and revolving stages. 19th Century Theatre Melodrama was created. Comes from "music drama" – music was used to increase emotions or to signify characters. Many special effects were part of the performance: fires, explosions, and or earthquakes. Traditional form: the villain poses a threat, the hero or heroine escapes, etc, ends with a happy ending. 19th Century Theatre“The Era of Theatre Greats” In the later half of the 19th Century, 3 incredible playwrights changed theatre. Their work began the movement of “realism” (which was to bring “real life on stage”) It would be as if the audience was watching through a “fourth wall” spying on these characters. These amazing playwrights were: Henrik Ibsen, who wrote in Norwegian George Bernard Shaw, who wrote in English Anton Chekhov, who wrote in Russian 19th Century Theatre The serious and realistic drama that was being created in the second half of the 19th century challenged actors to learn a new method of acting. Konstantin Stanislavski wrote several works on the art of acting, such as “An Actor Prepares”. The following actors have studied Stanislavski’s methods: Jack Nicholson, James Dean, Marlon Brando, Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Benicio Del Toro, and Johnny Depp. (And many more). The End…? Believe it or not, there was a lot of Theatre History that was not included (i.e Musical Theatre, Theatre of the Oppressed, Improv Theatre, Children’s Theatre, Cabaret, Vaudeville, Street Theatre, Mime…etc, etc, ETC! Not to mention theatre that was happening in other parts of the world. The craft of acting and of theatre is constantly changing in reaction to audiences’ tastes, political and social movements, and advances in technology. 20th Century Theatre – Modern Theatre During the 20th Century, the world changed forever (2 world wars, and much social and political upheaval). The Realism movement in theatre. and the creation a more naturalistic acting style continued to flourish in the 20th Century. Many other Theatre movements also began; one such theatre style was Theatre of the Absurd. Theatre of the Absurd, which grew out of the post-modern movement which believed that life has no meaning, and there is no God. Realism Focus on everyday life and believable characters, addressing social issues and conflicts. Expressionism & Surrealism Explored inner psychological states and dreamlike scenarios. Theater of the Absurd Plays that highlight the absurdity of human existence. Modern Drama (20th Century) Oscar Wilde said it best: “I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being”. THEATRICAL MASKS Instructions: Create own dramatic mask inspired by any historical tradition discussed (Greek, Roman, or Asian). The mask should represent an exaggerated emotion (e.g., joy, sadness, anger, fear) or a specific character (e.g., hero, villain, god/goddess). THE MASK Questions to guide design: How will the size of the eyes, mouth, or colors communicate the character or emotion? Can the mask represent a human, mythological figure, or even an animal spirit? Activity: Modern Greek Chorus in ActionObjective:To understand the function of the Greek Chorus in classical drama.To explore how a chorus can shape mood, theme, and narrative.To develop collaboration and creativity in performing a modern adaptation of the Greek Chorus. Greek Chorus PassageContext: This chorus is reflecting on a moment where a community is divided due to a leader’s controversial decision. The decision has led to conflict, and the chorus is the voice of the people, caught between fear and hope. Oh, we stand on trembling ground!Shadows of doubt cast long upon our land,For the word of the leader, both steel and flame,Tears the bonds that held us, never the same! Will justice rise, or fall to dust?We pray for peace, yet question trust.What of the children, whose eyes are wide?Do they see a future, or a world that has died? The winds of change howl fierce and cold,The hands of time too tight to hold.And we, the people, a chorus unheard,Caught in the silence of an unspoken word.