Part One: Early Theatre – Greek, Roman, Medieval Dramas

Required Tasks (RT): Read each task below carefully and compete each task on time using the rubric attached as a guide for what is required for the full amount of points.

You may right click on XLS (Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets) and PPT (Microsoft Power Point Presentation) files. Then you may save them to your folder. (In Microsoft Internet Explorer, right click and choose "Save Target As...") If you left click on them, they will open up in a web page.

RT 1	Before you begin to study the origin of theatre, complete the following chart by clicking here: Pre History Quiz (Microsoft Excel) Be sure to print out the Pre History Quiz before continuing!
RT 2	Review the following Power Point Presentation on the origin and elements of theatre – you will be tested on this! The Power Point Examine the recommended web sites.
RT 3	Explore the following web sites: The Golden Age of Greece and the Origin of Greek Theater Theatre in the fifth century B.C. and Greek Myths Greek Tragedy and the Tragic Playwrights Greek Theatre Production, Scenery, Special Effects, Acting, Costumes and Masks in Greek Theatre web page for information about the background on Oedipus.
OT 1	If you choose to perform the Greek Chorus for extra credit, you may want to look atOedipus Rex. A series of study guides are available here: Understanding the Chorus Review A Review B Review C Review D >Review E >Review F Review G Review H Review I
RT 5	For an assessment of your understanding of the importance of Greek Theatre and its contribution to modern theatre, you must complete a poster that illustrates that you have explored the origins of Western Theatre and have developed a sound theory on the origin of modern theatre. Remember to support your theory with facts and statistics

Roman Drama

RT 1

Now that you have an understanding of ancient Greek Theatre, you will now study the Roman era of drama. Study the following web sites and take notes during class. After you have completed the tasks, you will develop a comparison and contrast poster between the Greek and Roman Theatre: Brief facts on Roman Drama More brief facts on Roman Drama Great information on some of the differences and similarities of Greek and Roman theatres. This is just so darn cool….great 3D images of a Roman Theatre Structure.

Theatre during the Middle Ages was mostly nonexistent. The Catholic Church saw theatre as a celebration of pagan rituals and ceremonies that it saw as a threat to Christianity. Therefore, legitimate theatre performances were banned. Traveling performers continued to roam the country sides for work and some change so that they would be able to eat, but formal theatre as the likes of the Greek and Roman era were gone. Ironically, it would be in churches that staged theatre reemerged. These plays were about Christianity, performed mostly by priests and alter boys, and were staged inside large cathedrals. You may find more information on how this was accomplished by clicking on some the sites below.

An overview of medieval drama.

Medieval Theatre History - a overview from a college textbook. Many of the terms and concepts from class lecture and discussion are listed.

A list of several web sites on medieval theatre.

A question and answer forum for medieval theatre.

A list of web sites dedicated to the eras of theatre.

Following the decline of medieval religious theatre, more popular theatre started to take hold. The Renaissance, or rebirth, was starting in Italy. However, it would take a few hundred years before new innovations and a new life was given to staged theatrical productions. In fact, the Renaissance began in Italy during the 14th Century and the height of the English drama renaissance would not take place until the end of the 16th Century and early 17th Century. The most famous of all the English Renaissance playwrights was of course William Shakespeare. Whose poetry, imagery, mastery of language still inspire thousands of people around the world today. Below are some useful web sites about the Renaissance and its affect of theatre as well as some interesting sites about the staging of theatre during the Elizabethan age in England.

Take a virtual tour of the Globe Theatre However, this may work on a handful of computers.

Even better, a virtual tour of the reconstructed Globe Theatre in London.

The Renaissance and Drama – Italy - Questions & Answers

The Renaissance and Drama – France - Questions & Answers

The Renaissance and Drama – England - Questions & Answers - Probably the best information can be found here.

Restoration Theatre. Your task here is to discover some things about the Restoration. Why was it called the restoration? What was taken away that needed to be “restored”? How was it different than theatre of the Renaissance? What were some of the innovations that were made? Find these answers and more in the following links:

Overview of the Restoration

Restoration Drama Terms

What is meant by "Restoration"

Learn about the restoration drama, what followed, and what the comedy of manners were all about.

18th Century Drama

19th Century Romanticism

Realism

Early 20th Century Theatre

Modern American Theatre

The Federal Theatre Project