How theatre came about
Which god was honored in the original theatrical ceremonies?
Dionysus
What are some common instruments used in Greek theatre?
The lyre, the flute, the aulos, and the chorus.
What is a thespian?
A term for an actor
What did tragic actors wear?
They typically wore masks, padded costumes, and boots with thick soles called "buskins."
What did comic actors typically wear?
They typically wore grotesque masks, costumes with exaggerated padding, and type of sandal called a sock.
Who were the goat singers?
The chorus who danced around the altar at a sacrifice
What did they wear?
Original "thespians" wore masks to exaggerate their characters and to play different roles. Greek tradition holds that Thespis, an actor-playwright, introduced masks into Greek plays.
What is a skene?
A small hut at the rear of the acting area.
What did the theater originate from?
Dramatic contests and festivals that lasted 5 to 6 days.
What was the social status of those who attend the original Greek plays?
Originally, the theater was for men only, both as performers and spectators. Women did not attend the theater until about the fourth century.
What does the phrase "dues ex Machina" mean and how is it used?
God from the machine is the meaning, and it helps an actor to appear to be flying down like the gods coming down from Mt. Olympus.
Name one Greek tragedy and one comedy.
Larkin: Romeo and Juliet (not Greek) and Madea
Maggie: Antigone and Oedipus Rex
Mikayla: Antigone and Dyskyolos