Origins of

Acting: The
Greeks
Presented by:
ΜκΚου, Σαγε, Σοφία, Κιαν, Ναταλιέ, Δαινα,
Ροπη, Κύρος, ανδ Κάτιε ( AKA: McCoy, Sage,
Sophia, Kian, Natalie, Dayna, Ruby, Cyrus, and
Katie)
 In this Presentation:
01 02
Intro Greek Society
Introduction to Greek Myth and festival of
Theater. Dionysius, Dithyramb.

03 04 05
Masks, Costumes, Props Greek Plays Modern Influence
The characterization of Types of and classic Greek How Greek theater has
the Greeks on stage! plays! influence modern
performance styles !
01
Introduction
Why did the Greeks perform?
The Greeks performed for many reasons, theatre and
performance were highly valued in their society, it was thought
to please their gods.

● Religious Worship: Performances were often tied to

religious festivals and ceremonies, especially in honor of
Dionysus
● Storytelling: Greek Theatre portrayed the stories of their
gods, heroes, villains and moral lessons.
● Education: In ancient Greece, theatre was not only
entertainment, it was also used to educate the public on
moral and philosophical issues.
● Artistic Expression: Greek Theatre was a way to express
creativity and explore deeper into emotion and humanity.
 The Importance of Greek Theater
The Greeks used theater was a way to express and try to
understand the workings of human nature and the world in
which they lived in.

Greek theater was even encouraged by leading philosophers,

Aristotle even explaining that tragic Greek theater had a
way of using terror to cleanse the heart of personal and
selfish everyday concerns. This allowed humans to immerse
themselves in an experience he called ‘catharsis’.

Theater was open to all ( men, women, and slaves), which

was significant during a period and place with high social
stratification made up of distinct classes.
 The Greek Chorus
The linking factor factor between each Greek play was a chorus, made up of
12-50 actors. The purpose was to give the audience better understanding of
each story, by providing background information The chorus had the ability
to express what the actors couldn’t, such as secrets or internal struggles and
thoughts, or even godly insight.
 The Greek Chorus Cont.
The chorus would perform in
unison and would often be
featured wearing masks. The
leader of the chorus was
called the choragus.
Greek Actors
Thespis ( where the name for Thespian comes
from!) was a Greek poet who was said to be
the first actor ( separate from the chorus) in
Greek theater, around the 6th century BC. He

Thespis began the idea of an actor

communicating with the choragus, or leader
of the Greek Chorus.
02
Greek Society
Influence of Dionysus
Myth Of Dionysus
● Dionysus was known to the Greeks as the God
associated with wine ( and the madness that
comes from the consumption of it) as well as
the God of theater.
● His origin story reflected the idea of rebirth, as
he was saved from death as an unborn baby by
Zeus stitching him into his thigh.
 Festival Of Dionysus **In the 6th century BC!!!!!**

● A Greek festival of the Arts, also known

as Great Dionysia, was held in Athens
for all living in Greece to come visit
and enjoy. It consisted of music, art,
dance, and the presentation by
playwrights of their works.
● They performed plays; 3 tragedies and 1
satyr, were judged and voted on, with
an ivy wreath as the award.
 Dithyramb
● Dithyramb means a “Hymn to Dionysus”
● Form of Greek storytelling and educational
experience that was performed by a chorus
of dancers and singers.
● The performers would celebrate Dionysus
and make a circular formation at the
beginning of the ceremony to symbolize
their connection to the God and what he
represents: the cycle of life and death.
The Theater of Dionysus: The Acropolis
03
Masks, Costumes, Props
 Masks
-Exaggerated expressions
○ Allowed actors to play more than one character/gender
○ Helped audience members in farther seats see and hear
better
● Tragedies- masks were more lifelike
● Comedies/Cedar Plays- masks were ugly and grotesque
● Made out of lightweight materials
● Lacked durability
Costumes
● Helped indicate the social status, gender, and age of a character
● Athenian characters wore more elaborate clothes
○ Tunics and Cloaks
● Men wore Chitons, while women wore Peplos. Buskins
● Buskins were thick-soled boots worn by actors in tragedies
○ Comic actors wore plain socs
● Bodystockings like Progastredas (chest) and Prosternedas (belly) were worn
by actors to appear more feminine
○ Acting was seen as an “unsuitable” for women

Chitons Peplos
Setting Devices
● Skene: Backdrop of a setting.
● Ekkyklêma: A platform that could be wheeled out on
stage.

Mêchanê: device to portray the

presence of Gods.
Props
Utilized to symbolize the status of a character. For example, a crown
represented a king while a helmet would suggest an occupation in the
military. Props were also used as symbolism.
04
Greek Plays
Let’s Look at a
Few…
 Greek Plays were divided into 3 categories:

Satyr Comedy
Tragedy
Satyr plays were performed
by…satyrs themselves ( A prominent writer being
half-human/ half-goat like Tragic plays dealt with the Aristophanes. Greek
figueres). These mythical themes of human comedy revolved around
figures were utilized in order to relationships ( booth between mocking those in high
create comedy about the themselves and between power.
characters of a tragic play, in mortal and God), as well as
between the acts. loss, pride, love. Famous
Playwrights: Aeschylus,
Sophocles, and Euripides.
 Oedipus Rex
Oedipus Rex is a play about a man who becomes king of
a city called Thebes by solving a riddle and defeating a
sphinx that was threatening the city and then marrying
the queen of Thebes, Jocasta, who was his mother. It’s a
tragedy written by Sophocles in around 429 B.C, the
ending of the play is that the character of Jocasta hangs
herself while Oedipus, who was horrified at his patricide
and incest, proceeds to gouge out his own eyes in
despair. Oedipus’s character really connected to
audiences back then because his dynamic and unique
character emotionally connected to the audience. People
related to Oedipus because people felt closer to their
opposite sex parent at the time and many people back
then felt hatred towards their same sex parent.
Antigone
Is a tragedy by the ancient playwright
Sophocles. This play focuses on
Antigone the daughter of Oedipus.
After the events of Oedipus Rex, his
sons fight for rule over Thebes. Both
brothers die and their uncle Creon
becomes king.
Creon decreed that one of the sons,
who protected the city would be
buried, while the other would be denied
burial on account of him being a traitor.
Antigone defies this decree believing
that family duty is more important, she
buries Polyneices in secret.
Medea
Medea is a famous Greek Tragedy, written by Euripides.
Medea is a powerful and passionate woman who sought
revenge when her husband cheated on her.
Medea is the Princess of Colchis and a Sorceress. She left
her family to marry Jason and flee to Greece. Jason
abandons Medea to marry Glauce, the daughter of the
King of Corinth.

Medea is left heartbroken and vows revenge on Jason.

She reveals to the Greek Chorus that she plans to kill
her children, after they send a poisoned dress to Glauce.
The dress causes Glauce and her father to die a painful
death. In a fit of rage she kills her children.
After this, she escapes to Athens in a chariot given to
her by her grandfather Helios, with the bodies of her
children with her.
 Lysistrata
By Aristophanes

Lysistrata, is an Athenian woman who called

upon women throughout Greece to devise a plan to
end the Peloponnesian war. They meet at the
Acropolis, AKA Athena's temple. She proposes a sex
strike to end war and the women agree. Meanwhile,
older women seize the treasury in the acropolis to
end war. A magistrate with armed guards storm the
acropolis. Lysistrata engages in a debate with the
magistrate arguing that women are great leaders.
One of the husbands arrives and begs his wife
to come home, she denies him. A Spartan herald
arrives and wants the women, Lysistrata comes out
with a naked handmaid and explains to the men
why they should end the war.
Peace is decided and celebration ensues.
05
Modern
Influence
 Examples of Greek Theater
Today!
Modern Influence
● In ancient Greece, actors wore body
stockings in order to appear more feminine,
wearing progastredas over their chests and
prosternedas over their bellies. This is
reflected in modern times through elaborate
prosthetics.
● Ekkyklêmas ( wheeled platforms)and
Mêchanê ( rigged devices to fly actors) are
still used today in modern theater ( even at
Pali High! ) :)
Modern Influences Continued
Theatre continues to be the space to explore deeper
into human emotions and philosophical questions.
Many plays and musicals tackle taboo themes,
allowing the audience to challenge their own beliefs
and societal norms. (Ex: gay relationships in Cat On
a Hot Tin Roof)

The Greek Chorus style and ideas have been

implemented into various forms of modern theater.
Think about when characters have the ability to
break the fourth wall!

Examples include the Stage Manager in Our Town,

Fester in the Addams Family, Crystal, Ronnette, and
Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors, or anytime an
actor/ narrator communicates with an audience!
Reinforcing new ideas and Summary!
Greek plays were performed for religious, educational, and for storytelling purposes.
Types of Greek plays: Satyr, Comedy, Tragedy
Famous Greek Playwrights: Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides.
Dionysus: The god of wine and performance that Greek theater evolved around ( sacrifice,
festivals, spiritual activities).
Dithyramb: Form of Greek storytelling and educational experience that was performed by a
chorus.
‘Catharsis’: The idea by Aristotle of the all-immersive and transformative experience of
Greek Theater.
Thank you!
Or, as the Greeks would say: Σας ευχαριστώ !!
-Sas efcharistó

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