Twenty-five hundred years ago, Western theatre was born in Athens, Greece.

Between 600 and 200 BC, the ancient Athenians created a theatre culture that

has influenced theatre through history. They created plays that are still

considered among the greatest works of world drama. Their achievement is

Greek theatre took place in large hillside ampitheatres. The players

included a chorus and their leader, and the lines were more chanted than

spoken. The chorus performed in the orchestra, not on a raised stage. The

use of masks represented characters and high-soled boots worn added height

to the players. Thespis is where it all began. Little is known of this man.

It is uncertain whether Thespis was a playwright, an actor or a priest, yet

it is his name with which the dramatic arts are associated in our word

"Thespian". Thespis performed his plays on wagons and seats were set up for

performances in the market place of Athens. The original word for 'actor'

was hypokrites, meaning 'answerer,' for the actor answered the chorus.

Thespis is said to have introduced and been the first actor, later called

protagonistes (first competitor). Th

The prologue is presented by one or two actors; then the chorus enters and

used it at the end of his Medea. Because the mechane had to support

massive change in theatrical practice and in the use of space. The interior

to one of the posts which supported the skene. Interior scenes could be

that once formed part of a circle some 85-88 feet in diameter.

performances took place in daylight, and because of the angle at which the

inquiry. Athens in the fourth and fifth centuries BC was bursting with

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2726
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page double spaced)