Greek Theatre
He is credited as the first actor. He stepped out of the procession to act out characters.
Who is Thespus?
Meaning “God of the Machine," this is often used at the end of a show to solve an unsolvable problem and wrap everything up.
What is Deus ex Machina?
This emperor had a dream about Jesus, which made him legalize Christianity, making it the only legal religion.
Who is Emperor Constantine?
Classic plays rewritten in the vernacular, creating a new classic
What are Neoclassical Plays?
The name (from Commedia Dell'Arte) given to Harlequin’s wooden sword which is now a type of comedy
What is slapstick?
Raunchy plays based on Greek mythology performed at the end of a tragedy to cheer up the audience
What are Satyr plays?
The Greek god of wine, fertility, and theatre
Who is Dionysis?
This was used to build suspense and excitement during Easter services
Stock characters including Harlequin, Pulcinello, and Brighella
Who are the servants?
The stock characters including the Captain, Pantalone, and the Doctor
Who are the masters?
In order to amplify the sound, Greek amphitheatres were made in this shape.
What is a semi-circle?
Greek theatre venue, seating over 14,000 people
What is an amphitheatre?
Plays depicting the whole history of the Christian universe, from creation to resurrection
What are Cycle Plays?
The idea that Earthly life isn’t just something that might lead to heaven if you’re good, but may be worthy in and of itself
What is Humanism?
The stock characters who were nice, clean cut, and a little stupid – they did not wear masks
Who are the lovers?
What is their civic duty?
While Roman theatre was just a form of entertainment, Greek theatre hoped for citizens to do this.
What is question the values and structure of society?
Plays put on by guilds of varying trades, allowing towns to show off their craftsmen; performed on carts where audience would move from cart to cart
What are Mystery Plays?
“artful comedy” that relied heavily on stock characters and gags
What is Commedia Dell' Arte?
This theatre technology came out of the Renaissance.
What are 3-D backdrops, shifting scenery, wing panels, proscenium arch, trap doors, fire effects, water effects, thunder sounds?
Songs sung during processions celebrating Dionysis
What are Dithyrams?
Greek comedy by Aristophanes in which the women of Greece deny intimacy in order to end the Peloponnesian War
What is Lysistrata?
Nun who rewrote pagan plays to be more appropriate and holy with themes of chastity
Who is Hrotsvita?
This character uses lots of acrobatics and speaks in gibberish.
Who is Harlequin?
These are tragedies with happy endings
What are tragicomedies?