Name______
History of Theater-Theater Arts 1
Primitive Theater (8500-7000 B.C.)
Early theater could be experienced in the form of ______, which was a part of ______. The cave drawings left behind by primitive man supports the use of theater at this time. Such rituals were used to ensure the ______, and ______of the tribe. The basic elements of theater are present during this time: ______(Shaman or Priest), ______(Symbolic Clothing), ______(Space to Perform), and ______(People to Watch).
Greek Theater (600-360 B.C.)
The Greeks honored the ______gods including ______. The Greeks developed the use of a ______
(Group of People Saying Lines). They also developed styles of plays such as ______and ______. Actors are called ______due to the Greek playwright ______. Theaters were built into the sides of hills and performers wore masks and platform shoes. Famous playwrights include Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes.
Roman Theater (240 B.C.-200 A.D.)
The Romans copied Greek Drama and renamed characters and cities with Roman names and cities. ______was found in Roman Theater such as the gladiators. The use of stock characters and music was added to theater. Roman plays were set in two locations: a city street or a palace. Famous playwrights included Seneca, Terence and Plautus. The Romans filled performances with language, violence and immoral themes.The Church banned Roman Theater due to the violence.
Eastern Theater (Indian, 100 A.D.)
______drama is based on epic writings, which are compounds of myth, history, and legend. These plays end happily and focus on mood more than the theme. The actor uses hand gestures to communicate meaning like ______in our culture. Very little scenery is used in Sanskrit presentations. Good versus evil is a common theme, and good always wins.
Medieval Drama (500-1500 A.D.) (Dark Ages or Middle Ages)
The church was very powerful at this time and often used theater as a way to teach people who could not read the stories in the Bible. Cycle or ______plays were performed one right after the other and dramatized biblical events spanning the Bible. Parts of plays often traveled around the city on ______. The churchyard often contained little hut like buildings called ______, and actors would perform in the small buildings and audience members would gather to watch.
Eastern Theater (Japanese, 1400 A.D.)
______theater is a very graceful form of theater that has elements of opera, pantomime and stylized dance. Actors in Noh theater train form many years, and start learning the profession as young children. Another form of Japanese is called ______, and actors also start learning this form from an early age. The major difference between the two forms is that Noh actors use ______and Kabuki actors use ______to create characters. Both styles use music to enhance the dialogue.
Italian Renaissance (1300-1600 A.D.)
This period is known for the development of improv in this early form called ______. This period often copied the classics of Greek and Roman times. Actual groups of actors formed together to create companies. Major advancements in technical theater at this time including stages and set design.
Elizabethan Theater (1558-1603 A.D.)
The Elizabethan period was an important theatrical period even if Shakespeare had never lived. Tudor (Royals) love of spectacle and patronage of drama ($$$$). The ______Theater was a famous theater built in this period and was called the wooden “O”. Actors during this period where considered professionals, and boys are still playing female parts. Famous playwrights include Shakespeare and Marlow. Plays were written in iambic pentameter.
Restoration (1658-1700 A.D.)
Cromwell and the Puritans forced the English nobility to flee to France and other surrounding countries to escape death. During that time they were exposed to theater in those areas and brought those styles back when the nobility was restored.
Women were finally allowed to take the stage. This period was known for a particular style of theater called ______; poked fun at the rich.
19th Century Theater (1800’s)
The period in theater history was influenced by the ______Revolution in the United States. The invention of the steam engine and gas lights allowed for ______shows and performances at ______. Directors also emerged at this time to support the cast in making character and artistic choices. Cities became crowed with workers and they needed entertainment. The ______was a popular form of theater at this time, and is based on over acted scenes with a hero and villain.
Modern Theater (Realism) (19th-20th Century)
Actors started playing parts as if real life characters. Plays were based on real social problems. The director began to play an even more important role in the development of a show. Concepts such as the invisible ______wall were developed and used by actors. Stages known as picture frame or ______stages were built. Stage craft developments continues, and the United States invented ______.