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amphitheatre

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large oval, circular, or semi circular outdoor theatre with rising tiers of seats around an open playing area

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atellan farce

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Form of Roman theatre; improvised comedic pieces dealing with exaggerated family situations or satirizing historical or mythological figures.

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orchestra

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the cirrcular, level space where the chorus would sing, dance, and interact with the actors who were on stage.

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theatron

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from the Greek term for "seeing place," the seating area in ancient Greek theatres.

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satyr play

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a ribald drama of ancient Greece, with a chorus of satyrs (merry, riotous, half-goat-half-human followers of the wine-god) or satyr-like characters, written to be performed following a trilogy of tragedies at the springtime Dionysian Festival; this type of play usually mocked the weighty themes and conventions of tragedy as a form of relieving tensions they had generated

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climatic drama

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Dramatic structure, developed in classical Greece and popular with modern realists, in which the dramatic action begins near the climax; usually few characters, few locales, much exposition, and only one main action in a short span of time; plot unravels like a mystery; Evident in a number of dramas, especially by Aeschylus and Sophocles

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old comedy

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Classical Greek comedy that pokes fun at social, political, or cultural conditions and at individuals. The only surviving examples are by Aristophanes., -satirical, grotesque, bawdy, absurd ex: Aristophanes- "Lysistrata"

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greek chorus

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part of a greek drama, would provide commentary on the events of the drama as the collective voice of the common people (citizens, preists, noblemen). used dance and song to perform their lines

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fabula pallieta

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Roman plays from from Greek Model and translations. The surviving Roman comedies are all based on Greek models. Changes included 1. elimination of the chorus (which Greek writers had used to divide the action into episodes); 2. addition of musical accompaniment to much of the dialogue (quite possibly an Etruscan influence); 3. an emphasis on eavesdropping, which led to frequent misunderstandings and complications.

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thespian

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an actor, or relating to acting; from Thespis, Greek poet/dramatist

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aristotle's poetics

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Plot. Character. Thought. Diction. Music. Spectacle

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agon

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In classical Greek Old Comedy, a scene with a debate between the two opposing forces in a play

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trilogy

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a set of three related plays

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parabasis

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scene in classical greek old comedy in which the chorus directly addresses the audience members and makes fun of them

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protagonist

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the main character in fiction or drama. *usually round, dynamic characters whose conflict sets the plot in motion.

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dionysus

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god of fertility, wine, revelry, theater

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scanea frons

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In Roman theatre, the ornate three-dimensional façade of the stage building

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scaena

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scene, stage house in a roman theatre

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greek tragedy formula

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-tragedy divided into 4 parts: prologue, episode, exode, choric song, written by Aristotle

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hamartia

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a fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a tragic hero or heroine., Fatal flaw

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periaktoi

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Scene design advice shaped lie a tall wedge of cheese. Each side has a painted part of the design. Three sided scene device unit used in Greek times

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colosseum

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Ancient Roman arena known for its tremendous architecture and bloody entertainments of of gladitorial contests, mock sea battles, (amphitheater). , arena in Rome in which 50,000 people could watch the gladiators fight

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proedria

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Front-row seats reserved for political and religious dignitaries

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thymele

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is an Alter placed in the center of the Orchestra for Dionysus

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paraskenia

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side wings of the skene

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proskenion

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the bottom level of the skene, or stage house.

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dithyramb

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a long hymn, sung and danced by 50 men

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katharsis

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The end of the tragedy meaning purgation, cleansing of the tragic emotions of pity and fear.

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thyromata

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Hellenistic Greece, large openings into the second story of the skene.

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property (prop)

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anything that an actor handles onstage as well as furniture and other items used to enhance the set.

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classical drama

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the drama of ancient Greece and Rome

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ludi romani

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Roman festival in honor of Jupiter into which drama was first introduced.

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naumachia

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In ancient Rome, sea battles staged in a flooded amphitheater or on a lake.

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siparium

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In Roman theatre, a painted backdrop curtain at the rear of the stage

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ars poetica

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a term meaning "The Art of Poetry" or "On the Nature of Poetry" , Written by poet Horace, "the art of poetry," the only Latin treatise on dramatic criticism still in existence

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mime

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In ancient Greece and Rome, a form of theatrical entertainment that consisted of short dramatic sketches characterized by jesting and buffoonery.

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mechane

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In ancient Greek theatres, a crane that could fly actors in over the skene to land gently in the orchestra or hover overhead.

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deus ex machane

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God from machiene (contrived ending)

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city dionysia

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The most important Greek festival in honor of the god Dionysus; it was staged in Athens in the spring and was the first to include dramatic activities.

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pinake

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In ancient Greek theatre, painted flats

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auleum

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Roman theatre, a front curtain that was raised and lowered on telescoping poles.

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cavea

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The Roman version of the theatron or seating area for the audience.

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onkos

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Headdress worn by some Greek actors to increase their height and, thus, visibility to theater audiences.

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pulpitum

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Raised stage in Roman theatre

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doubling

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the playing of one or more character in a play by the same actor.

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tetralogy

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a group of four dramas, three tragedies and one satyr play

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hypokrite

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The ancient greek word for actor, means literally "answerer"

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proagon

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(literally "before the debate") Preparation day for the City Dionysia, occurring the day before the actual beginning of the festival, at which all contestants are assembled, play titles announced, etc.

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ekkylema

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wheeled platform that wheeled "dead" actors back on stage

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tragic hero

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Character of noble stature and has greatness, who suffers from a tragic flaw that leads to their downfall.

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skene

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in ancient Greece, a stage house upstage of the circular orchestra, small hut like building behind the stage used as a dressing room and later as a backdrop for painted settings

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senecan tragedy

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tragic drama modeled on plays wirtten by seneca. The genere usually has five acts and features a chorus; it is notable for its thematic concern with bloodshed, revenge and unnatural crimes

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hubris

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excessive pride or arrogance that results in the downfall of the protagonist of a tragedy

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teatro olimpico

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• The oldest surviving theatre constructed during the Italian Renaissance • Originally designed by the architect Andrea Palladio for the Olympic Academy in that city • When Palladio died, Vincenzo Scamozzi completed the building • The premiere production was Sophocles' King Oedipus • Designed as a miniature indoor Roman theatre • The ornate façade of the scene house, patterned after the Roman scaena frons, was designed to look like a street

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new comedy

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Hellenistic Greek and Roman comedies that deal with romantic and domestic situations.

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Plautus

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most popular Roman comic playwright; slapstick; bawdy humor; simple plots; used mistaken identity, and wrote "Menachmi" and "The Pot of Gold". Shakespeare modelled his "Comedy of Errors" after his work

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Aristophanes

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Only remaining example of Old Comedy playwright; wrote topical, satirical and social/political plays; honored for verse and wit., Lysistrata, The Clouds, The Birds; Considered the father of Greek comedy.

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Menander

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Master of New Comedy; plays deal with domestic situations and use colloquial speech patterns., Greek New Comedy playwright, "The Grouch"

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Thespis

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Who is known as the creator of Greek tragedy because legend says he is the first to step away from the chorus and speak or act the part of the main character

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Seneca

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wrote tragedies based on Greek plays; onstage violence; plays not staged; revenge; influenced Shakespeare with 5-act structure, Thyestes

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archon

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Athenian government official appointed to oversee the staging of drama at the City Dionysia festival.

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Terence

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All 6 of his plays survive; dramatist of ancient Rome (born in Greece) whose comedies were based on works by Menander, This roman playwright was considered the first African playwright of the Western world , Comic Plays: Adelphoe, Phormio

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Horace

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Roman poet who said the purpose of Drama was to teach and entertain. Roman Aristotle

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Sophocles

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1. added a third actor 2. raised chorus number to 15 3. tight plot construction , Greek writer of tragedies; author of Oedipus Rex and Antigone

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Euripides

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one of the greatest tragic dramatists of ancient Greece (480-406 BC). IN his plays, he focused on morality and patriotism and included more women characters than other authors, but he was criticized for focusing too much on emotion and pretty words and not enought on having a strong structure to his play. , wrote 'Medea'

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dominus

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leader of a roman acting troupe

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Homer

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ancient Greek epic poet who is believed to have written the Iliad and the Odyssey (circa 850 BC)

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Aeschylus

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First greek tragedy writer, wrote 90 plays, gods provided justice in all plays. first to introduce the idea of having 2 actors, costumes, props, and stage decorations, best-known plays is a group called the Oresteia including the play Agamemnon, reduced chorus from 50 to 12

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chorodidaskalos

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In ancient Greek theatre, the person who trained and rehearsed the chorus.

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Arion

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harpist and poet, moved dithyramb towards drama by interspersing spoken sections with the musical portions.

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choregus

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In ancient Greece, a wealthy person who underwrote most of the expenses for the production of an individual playwright's works at a dramatic festival.

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agonthetes

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In Hellenistic Greece, the government official responsible for producing plays for festivals.

Greek & Roman Theatre

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