Theater History Overview

History of Theater

  • Theater originated from myth, ritual, and ceremony.
  • Early societies transitioned actions from habit to tradition, creating entertainment forms.
  • Definition of theater: "place of seeing".

Producing a Theater

  • Roles in Theater:
    • Playwright: Writes the script.
    • Director: Coordinates rehearsals.
    • Designer & Technical Crew: Handles props and set design.
    • Actors & Actresses: Perform on stage.
    • Audience: Observers of the performance.

Ancient Theater (700 B.C.E - 410 C.E)

  • Mainly involved Greek and Roman Theater.
Greek Theater
  • Started around 700 B.C. with the Cult of Dionysus.
  • Athens was a cultural center for theater.
  • Notable playwrights: Sophocles, Euripides, Aeschylus.
Types of Greek Drama
  • Tragedy: Featured tragic events with an unhappy ending.
    • First actor: Thespis (Father of Tragedy).
  • Comedy: Humorous plays, ↳ Notable playwright: Aristophanes.
  • Satyr Play: Comic elements in tragic themes.
Greek Theater Components
  • Orchestra: Central area for performances.
  • Theatron: Viewing area built into hillside.
  • Skene: The stage.
  • Parodos: Side entrance.

Roman Theater

  • Began in the 3rd century BC.
  • Influenced by Greek culture (Hellenization).
  • Themes: chariot races, gladiators, public executions.
  • Notable structure: Theatre of Pompey (first permanent theater in Rome).

Medieval Theater (500 CE - 1400 CE)

  • Minstrels continued performances during church bans.

Renaissance Theater (1400-1600)

  • Signified revival of classical Greek and Roman cultures.
  • Included morality plays and commedia dell'arte.
William Shakespeare
  • Renowned playwright with about 38 plays.
  • Notable works include: Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Romantic Theater (1800-2000)

  • Popular forms: melodrama and opera.
  • Melodrama aimed to heighten emotions through music and dramatic situations.
Notable Playwrights
  • Victor Marie Hugo: Major Romantic writer.
  • George Bizet: Composer of Carmen.

Filipino Playwrights

  • Francisco Balagtas: Best known for Florante at Laura.
  • Severino R. Reyes: Father of Tagalog Zarzuela, notable work is Walang Sugat.
  • Salvador F. Bernal: Pioneer in theater design in the Philippines.