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Ancient Theatre
7th 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
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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 were performances like/about? Reenactment of something that happened.
What do I most remember about this lesson? (Make connections to prior learning or note something that will help you remember this later)
3
React to the image above. Comment, connect, construct.
This image shows (what do you think it’s about):
7th Grade Drama Notes Part One page 2
Ancient Egyptians
Name___________________________
Period 1 2 3 4
Words to watch for (academic language):
PHARAOH
HIEROGLYPHICS
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Why did Ancient Egyptians “do” performances? Concerned with life after death Honor the gods (Pharaoh) Who did performances in Ancient Egypt? Priests and Pharaoh
How were performances and culture related in Ancient Egypt? The Afterlife What was the performance space like for Ancient Egyptians? In Pharaoh’s palace and temples
What secondary elements were used by Ancient Egyptians? Scripts What were performances like? Stories of gods and pharaohs acted out
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
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React to the image above. Comment, connect, construct.
This image shows(what do you think it’s about):
7th Grade Drama Notes Part One page 2
ANcient Hebrews
Name___________________________
Period 1 2 3 4
Words to watch for (academic language):
OLD TESTAMENT
SONG OF SOLOMON
BOOK OF JOB
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Why did Ancient Hebrews “do” drama? Worship Who did performances in Ancient Hebrew times? No one!
How were performances and culture related in Ancient Hebrew culture? Worshiping ONE GOD What was the performance space like for Ancient Hebrews? There was no performance space.
What secondary elements were used by Ancient Hebrews? NONE What were performances like? 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.
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React to the image above.
This image shows (what do you think it’s about):
7th Grade Drama Notes Part One pages 3-7
Ancient Greeks
7th Grade Drama Notes Part One pages 7-10
Name ______________
Period 1 2 3 4
Words to watch for (academic language):
HOMAGE PLAYWRIGHT THYMELE THESPIAN
TRAGEDY CHOREGUS SKENE
THEATRE CHORUS RHETORICAL
TRILOGY ORCHESTRA MASK
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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” *First actor: Thespis (we call people involved in theatre THESPIANS) *Sophocles – won the prize 18 times! Oedipus Rex, Antigone. Still performed today.
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
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 were performances like? Rhetorical (more talk than action) Products of imagination, worship, historical base
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
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React to the image at the above. Comment, connect, construct.
Compare this image to the one from Ancient Greece:
7th Grade Drama Notes Part One pages 7-10
Ancient Romans
Words to watch for (academic language):
SPECTACLE
AMPITHEATRE
CLAQUE
CLOSET DRAMA
Name ______________
Period 1 2 3 4
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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
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 secondary elements were used by Ancient Romans?
Some masks Many elements of Greek drama, but then it got less intellectual
What were performances like?
Displays of slapstick humor, vulgar acts and dancing, violence and brutality (gladiators, man vs wild animal…)
What do I most remember about this lesson? (Make connections to prior learning or note something that will help you remember this later)
11
React to the image at the above. Comment, connect, construct.
What is going on in this picture?
7th Grade Drama Notes pages 10-11
Hindu Theatre
Name___________________________
Period 1 2 3 4
Words to watch for (academic language):
DIALOGUE
GREENROOM
PATRONS
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Why do the Hindu people “do” performances?
Worship Pleasant entertainment Who does performances in India?
Men and women (first culture to allow women to perform) For wealthy people
How are performances and culture related in India?
No conflicts or major issues Peaceful and pleasant 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 are performances like?
Mostly dancing that is interpretive, kind of like a hula
What do I most remember about this lesson? (Make connections to prior learning or note something that will help you remember this later)
13
React to the image at the above. Comment, connect, construct.
What type of character do you think this is? Why?
Grade Drama Notes Part One pages 11-13
Chinese Theatre
Name___________________________
Period 1 2 3 4
Words to watch for (academic language):
INTERPRETIVE DANCE SYMBOLIC
“CHILDREN OF THE PEAR TREE GARDEN”
PROPOGANDA
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Why did the Chinese “do” performances?
Worship of ancestors and the emperor
Who does performances in China?
Men
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 secondary elements are used in Chinese theatre?
Elaborate costumes, stylized make up and wigs, shadow puppets, music and dance
What are performances like?
Singing, acting, sedate poses and gestures. Symbolic Mostly about loyalty to husband and military
What do I most remember about this lesson? (Make connections to prior learning or note something that will help you remember this later)
15
React to the image at the above. Comment, connect, construct.
What is going on in this picture?
7th Grade Drama Notes Part One pages 13-17
Japanese Theatre
Name___________________________
Period 1 2 3 4
Words to watch for (academic language):
NOH TRAPDOOR
KYOGEN
BUNRAKU
KABUKI
FLOWERWAY (HANAMICHI)
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Why do the Japanese “do” performances?
Entertainment Divine revelation Who does performances in Japan?
Emperor Ming Huang MEN Chikamatsu (wrote Bunraku scripts)
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 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.
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))