Theatres:
Theatre was an important part of ancient Greek culture. Theatre was part of religious festivals. These festivals honored Dionysus. Even though theatre was part of religious festivals, plays were usually not very respectful, serious, or moral. The greatest theatrical festival was in Athens. It was called City Dionysus. City Dionysus lasted four days and took place during March. These days were considered a public holiday so everyone could participate in the giant theatre festival. Even the poor people could participate because the city gave money to the poor so they could go. During the four days there were 17 different plays. All these plays were different types.
The plays took place in open air theatres. The seats were built into a hill and were in a semi-circle shape. The theatres could hold 15,000 people. The actors preformed in the flat. This area to use is know as the orchestra pit. The flat was usually a round area. The stage held the "skene" or background. The background was usually the font of a house or palace. Acting usually did not take place on the stage.
There were three different types of plays for the ancient Greeks. These were tragedies, satyr plays, and comedies. The tragedies were usually serious and sad. They were usually based on a Greek myth. Satyr plays were usually funny. They were also based on myths. They had the mythological creatures satyrs in them too. Comedies would be based on myths or the real world. They made fun of well know people in the plays. Comedies also also had rude jokes.
Actors wore masks and fancy costumes and were easily identified by the audience. Only men were allowed to be actors. This meant that men would act women and children parts. There were only three specking parts allowed on stage at a time. Actors were always accompanied by a chorus. The chorus would sing, dance, and give the audience background information about the play. In a tragedies and satyrs their were usually 12 to 15 actors in the chorus. In comedies there were usually 24 actors in the chorus.
The ancient Greek audience was a lot different from our audiences today. They were definitely not as polite as we are today. The audiences would eat during the play. If they were enjoying the play and liked what they were seeing they would give a shout out to the actors (scream and shout). If the audience did not like the play they would let the actors know. They would throw rotten vegetables or their food at the actors.
The plays took place in open air theatres. The seats were built into a hill and were in a semi-circle shape. The theatres could hold 15,000 people. The actors preformed in the flat. This area to use is know as the orchestra pit. The flat was usually a round area. The stage held the "skene" or background. The background was usually the font of a house or palace. Acting usually did not take place on the stage.
There were three different types of plays for the ancient Greeks. These were tragedies, satyr plays, and comedies. The tragedies were usually serious and sad. They were usually based on a Greek myth. Satyr plays were usually funny. They were also based on myths. They had the mythological creatures satyrs in them too. Comedies would be based on myths or the real world. They made fun of well know people in the plays. Comedies also also had rude jokes.
Actors wore masks and fancy costumes and were easily identified by the audience. Only men were allowed to be actors. This meant that men would act women and children parts. There were only three specking parts allowed on stage at a time. Actors were always accompanied by a chorus. The chorus would sing, dance, and give the audience background information about the play. In a tragedies and satyrs their were usually 12 to 15 actors in the chorus. In comedies there were usually 24 actors in the chorus.
The ancient Greek audience was a lot different from our audiences today. They were definitely not as polite as we are today. The audiences would eat during the play. If they were enjoying the play and liked what they were seeing they would give a shout out to the actors (scream and shout). If the audience did not like the play they would let the actors know. They would throw rotten vegetables or their food at the actors.