Greek Theatre

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How Can You Change Your Voice?Dynamics: Volume (whisper, shout)Pitch: the highness, or lowness of sound (think big man and little mouse)Tempo: speed (fast or slow)Tone: light, medium or heavy sounds (emphasis; think of walking on the words)

Poetry Is A Good Way to Practice Choral ReadingOnce you understand the poem, you must learn the poem. You must memorize each word.Once you have memorized the poem, begin playing with your voice. How can you change your voice to get the message across. Then you can add synchronized movement or mirroring, as a Greek chorus would do.Nothing Gold Can Stay

Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf's a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay.

The Dream KeeperBring me all your dreams, You dreamer,Bring me all yourHeart melodiesThat I may wrap themIn a blue cloud-clothAway from the too-rough fingersOf the world.

Elements of Greek Theatre to ExploreCharacters: Who are they? What are they like? What costumes do they wear?Chorus: Who are they? How do they move? Why are they important?Movement and Speech: How do the characters move? Why?Stage and Props: What is a typical setting? Comedy/Tragedy: What is the difference? What are important characteristics of these two kinds of Greek theatre?The PeopleActorsAll characters were played by men.Each play had only 3 actors.The actors wore masks to display dominant emotions.Many actors had more than one role to play. They used the masks to change between characters.Many actors had to sing and dance.It was often difficult for the actors to move, so they used large gestures and costumes.

CharactersThere was always a protagonist or main character. Costume: mask, long robes with padding (to add size), platform shoes (for added height).

MovementLarge gestures, particularly with arms.Distinct positions for various emotions and actions, such as sadness/grief and prayer. Chorus usually grouped together in one place on the stage.Often included dancing and synchronized gestures.

Stage and Props

Very minimal props were used. Only some characters had props, like a spear for warriors or a cane for the elderly.What kind of stories did the Greeks tell using theatre?Comedy The main purpose of comedy is to entertain the audience and make them laugh!It begins with a happy idea and continues with what happens when you put that idea into real-life.Often used elements of dance and broad farce (low comedy written to make you laugh that often included physical actions).Included a chorus song and dance.Comedy masks were typically ugly and a lot of padding was used to make bodies look grotesque.Always a HAPPY ENDING!

Tragedy The main purpose of tragedy is to teach the audience a lesson.Tells the story of a tragic hero who suffers a serious misfortune. It is fate and the Gods that act against the hero.The hero usually has a goal, but cannot achieve the goal because of a mistake or bad decision. Often based on a myth or legend.

Masks

What elements of Greek theatre do you think still exist in theatre today?