Greek Theater
Hymns sung and danced in honor of Dionysus
Dithyrambs
The name of Roman festivals, which translates to "games"
"Ludi"
Both Greek and early Roman theater only allowed this type of actor to perform
male
Another name for the script when relating to the production process (hint: also refers to construction plans)
The blueprint for the production
This is the most adaptable stage type, allowing the director to arrange the audience in a variety of ways
The black box theater
The part of the theater where ancient Greek audiences sit
The theatron
An instrument that is typically used in Roman theater
Two-piped flute
This is one major difference between Greek and Roman orchestras
Greek orchestras are circles
Roman orchestras are semicircles
An analysis of this can help give details and identify themes for the production
script
This frames the proscenium stage like a picture
proscenium arch
Credited as the first actor
Thespis
One other type of entertainment (other than the theater) that Romans could attend during their festivals.
Chariot races, acrobatic feats, and animal baitings (just one is necessary)
Both Greek and Roman actors wore these to help audience members recognize characters being played and for actors to switch between characters quickly
Masks
The planned movement and positioning of actors on stage
Blocking
This stage has the audience sitting on three sides of the performance space
Thrust stage
Satyr play
A common topic of Roman comedies
Everyday domestic situations like mistaken identity
Greek and Roman theater are similar because Rome was considered an assimilator, which means they
adopted the practices and cultures of the people they conquered
When the entire show is performed (from start to finish without stopping) without an audience
Dress rehearsal
Names of the four most common stage types
Proscenium stage, thrust stage, arena stage, black box theater
These were often used in Greek theater to criticize political leaders and society
Comedies
Two Roman playwrights who were known for their 26 surviving comedies
Plautus and Terence
This was the Roman's equivalent of the Greek's god Dionysus (the god of wine, fertility, and rebirth)
Bacchus
To clean up and close down the production after the final performance
Strike
Another name for the arena stage
Theater-in-the-round