Ancient Theatre 7 th Grade Drama Notes Part One page 1 Primitive Tribes Name Period 1 2 3 4 React to the image above. Comment, connect, construct. This image makes me think of: Words to watch for (academic language): DRAMA SHAMAN PACIFY RITUAL 1
Why did Primitive Tribes do performances? Rites of initiation, to kindle bravery (pep talks), Worship, Oral tradition. Tribal how to Who did performances in Primitive Tribes? Witch doctor/ priest/ Shaman How were performances and culture related in Primitive Tribes? Spirits they believed controlled their world were part of the reason to perform. Hunts, bravery Oral tradition (passing on the culture) What was the performance space like for Primitive Tribes? In front of temples and around campfires. What secondary elements were used by Primitive Tribes? Costumes Props Movement/Dance Music What do I most remember about this lesson? (Make connections to prior learning or note something that will help you remember this later) What were performances like/about? Reenactment of something that happened. 2
7 th Grade Drama Notes Part One page 2 Ancient Egyptians Name Period 1 2 3 4 React to the image above. Comment, connect, construct. This image shows (what do you think it s about): Words to watch for (academic language): PHARAOH HIEROGLYPHICS 3
Why did Ancient Egyptians do performances? Concerned with life after death Honor the gods (Pharaoh) How were performances and culture related in Ancient Egypt? The Afterlife What was the performance space like for Ancient Egyptians? Who did performances in Ancient Egypt? In Pharaoh s palace and temples Priests and Pharaoh What secondary elements were used by Ancient Egyptians? Scripts What do I most remember about this lesson? (Make connections to prior learning or note something that will help you remember this later) First recorded performance: 3000 BC found in a tomb in Hieroglyphics What were performances like? Stories of gods and pharaohs acted out 4
7 th Grade Drama Notes Part One page 2 ANcient Hebrews Name Period 1 2 3 4 React to the image above. Comment, connect, construct. This image shows(what do you think it s about): Words to watch for (academic language): OLD TESTAMENT SONG OF SOLOMON BOOK OF JOB 5
Why did Ancient Hebrews do drama? Worship How were performances and culture related in Ancient Hebrew culture? Worshiping ONE GOD Who did performances in Ancient Hebrew times? No one! What was the performance space like for Ancient Hebrews? There was no performance space. What secondary elements were used by Ancient Hebrews? NONE What do I most remember about this lesson? (Make connections to prior learning or note something that will help you remember this later) The Song of Solomon is a dialogue between a Bride and Groom. Dramatic poetry. The Book of Job is written in the form of a 5-act drama with a prologue and an epilogue. What were performances like? NONE 6
7 th Grade Drama Notes Part One pages 3-7 Ancient Greeks Name Period 1 2 3 4 React to the image above. This image shows (what do you think it s about): Words to watch for (academic language): HOMAGE PLAYWRIGHT THYMELE THESPIAN TRAGEDY CHOREGUS SKENE THEATRE CHORUS RHETORICAL TRILOGY 7 th Grade Drama ORCHESTRA Notes Part One pages MASK 7-10 7
Why did Ancient Greeks do performances? Entertainment, enlightenment, explore the human condition, make a political statement Who did performances in Ancient Greece? MEN. ONLY. *First playwright (one who authors a script): Aeschylus Father of Tragedy How were performances and culture related in Ancient Greece? Intellectual Contests What was the performance space like for Ancient Greeks? Outdoors Built into a hill Semicircular seating around an acting space *First actor: Thespis (we call people involved in theatre THESPIANS) *Sophocles won the prize 18 times! Oedipus Rex, Antigone. Still performed today. What secondary elements were used by Ancient Greeks? Masks Exaggerated expressions, easier to see Megaphone made it easier to hear One actor to play multiple roles Men could easily play female roles What do I most remember about this lesson? (Make connections to prior learning or note something that will help you remember this later) Pages 402-408 TRUE BIRTH OF THEATRE -because they invented the STAGE What were performances like? Rhetorical (more talk than action) Products of imagination, worship, historical base 8
7 th Grade Drama Notes Part One pages 7-10 Ancient Romans Name Period 1 2 3 4 React to the image at the above. Comment, connect, construct. Compare this image to the one from Ancient Greece: Words to watch for (academic language): SPECTACLE AMPITHEATRE CLAQUE CLOSET DRAMA 9
Why did Ancient Romans do performances? Worship of gods Desensitization Who did performances in Ancient Rome? Actors (primarily men) Seneca wrote closet dramas (meant to be read, not acted out) Plautus plots borrowed by Shakespeare and Moliere What secondary elements were used by Ancient Romans? Some masks Many elements of Greek drama, but then it got less intellectual How were performances and culture related in Ancient Rome? Violence, vulgarity What was the performance space like for Ancient Romans? Complex structures Innovative architecture The Coliseum The Amphitheatre Naumachiea What do I most remember about this lesson? (Make connections to prior learning or note something that will help you remember this later) What were performances like? Displays of slapstick humor, vulgar acts and dancing, violence and brutality (gladiators, man vs wild animal ) 10
7 th Grade Drama Notes pages 10-11 Hindu Theatre Name Period 1 2 3 4 React to the image at the above. Comment, connect, construct. What is going on in this picture? Words to watch for (academic language): DIALOGUE GREENROOM PATRONS 11
Why do the Hindu people do performances? Worship Pleasant entertainment How are performances and culture related in India? No conflicts or major issues Peaceful and pleasant Who does performances in India? Men and women (first culture to allow women to perform) For wealthy people What is the performance space like for India? Now large stages and amphitheatres. Then, in palaces. What secondary elements are used by Hindus? Dance, music, costumes What do I most remember about this lesson? (Make connections to prior learning or note something that will help you remember this later) What are performances like? Mostly dancing that is interpretive, kind of like a hula 12
Grade Drama Notes Part One pages 11-13 Chinese Theatre Name Period 1 2 3 4 React to the image at the above. Comment, connect, construct. What type of character do you think this is? Why? Words to watch for (academic language): INTERPRETIVE DANCE SYMBOLIC CHILDREN OF THE PEAR TREE GARDEN PROPOGANDA 13
Why did the Chinese do performances? Worship of ancestors and the emperor Who does performances in China? Men What secondary elements are used in Chinese theatre? Elaborate costumes, stylized make up and wigs, shadow puppets, music and dance How were performances and culture related in China? Ancestor worship Tradition Loyalty What is the performance space like for China? Varies wide stages for Peking Opera Arenas for Chinese acrobats Carts and wagons for street performances Puppet stages for shadow puppetry What do I most remember about this lesson? (Make connections to prior learning or note something that will help you remember this later) What are performances like? Singing, acting, sedate poses and gestures. Symbolic Mostly about loyalty to husband and military 14
7 th Grade Drama Notes Part One pages 13-17 Japanese Theatre Name Period 1 2 3 4 React to the image at the above. Comment, connect, construct. What is going on in this picture? Words to watch for (academic language): NOH TRAPDOOR KYOGEN BUNRAKU KABUKI FLOWERWAY (HANAMICHI) 15
Why do the Japanese do performances? Entertainment Divine revelation Who does performances in Japan? Emperor Ming Huang MEN Chikamatsu (wrote Bunraku scripts) What secondary elements are used by Japan? Noh- masks (similar to Greeks) Bunraku elaborate and intricate puppets Kabuki stylized make up, fancy costumes, and big wigs All use music. Noh & Kabuki - dance What are performances like? Symbolic, sedate dancing (poses and gestures). There is usually a chorus (like the Greeks) to narrate. Audiences must infer meaning. How are performances and culture related in Japan? Very traditional. Still do it like in 1300 Formal Symbolic What is the performance space like for Japan? Noh theaters are 18 squares with 4 pillars and a Shinto style roof. Pine tree back drop. Kabuki theaters vary as do Bunraku What do I most remember about this lesson? (Make connections to prior learning or note something that will help you remember this later) Noh theatre = oldest form of Japanese theatre. For more intellectual audiences. 3 tragedies are mixed with 2 kyogen (tragicomedies (like the Greek satyr play)) 16