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

Some topics in this essay:
Greek Comedy, Euripides Medea, Cult Dionysus, Aeschylus' Oresteia, Aeschylus Sophocles, Phrynicus Aeschylus, Temple Dionysus, Athens Greece, Ancient Athenians, Sophocles Greek, greek comedy, century bc, actors chorus, terrace wall, posts supported, 600 bc, athenian festivals, dressed satyrs, centuries bc, influence greek,