History of Theatre I

Unit 1 – Ancient Greek Theatre Origins

Unit 2 – Greek Tragedy: Origins and Key Playwrights

Unit 3 – Greek Comedy: Origins and Key Playwrights

Unit 4 – Hellenistic and Roman Theatre

Unit 5 – Roman Comedy and Tragedy: Key Playwrights

Unit 6 – Medieval Theatre: Liturgical & Mystery Plays

Unit 7 – Morality Plays to Secular Drama

Unit 8 – Italian Renaissance & Commedia dell'Arte

Unit 9 – Spanish Golden Age: Lope & Calderón

Unit 10 – Elizabethan Theatre: Rise of Professionalism

Unit 11 – Jacobean Theatre: Shakespeare's Contemporaries

Unit 12 – Theatre Architecture & Stagecraft Evolution

Unit 13 – Classical to Renaissance Theatre Legacy

## What do you learn in History of Theatre I: Classical Athens to Elizabethan London

You'll explore the origins and evolution of Western theatre from ancient Greece to Shakespeare's England. The course covers major playwrights, theatrical conventions, and performance styles of each era. You'll analyze classic plays, study the role of theatre in society, and learn about the development of theatrical spaces and technologies over time.

## Is History of Theatre I: Classical Athens to Elizabethan London hard?

It's not the easiest course, but it's definitely manageable. There's a fair amount of reading involved, mostly plays and historical texts. The trickiest part is remembering all the names, dates, and cultural contexts. But if you're into theatre or history, you'll probably find it pretty interesting, which makes the work feel less daunting.

## Tips for taking History of Theatre I: Classical Athens to Elizabethan London in college

1. Use [Fiveable Study Guides](https://fiveable.me/cram-mode) to help you cram for exams and quizzes 🌶️
2. Read the plays before class discussions - it'll make everything easier to follow
3. Create a timeline to keep track of important events and figures
4. Watch modern adaptations of classic plays to better understand their themes
5. Form a study group to discuss and analyze plays together
6. Check out "The Greeks" documentary series for a deeper dive into ancient Greek theatre
7. Visit your local theatre or watch recorded performances to see classical plays in action

## Common pre-requisites for History of Theatre I: Classical Athens to Elizabethan London

1. Introduction to Theatre: This course provides an overview of theatre as an art form. You'll learn about different aspects of theatre production and gain a basic understanding of theatre history.

2. World Literature I: In this class, you'll read and analyze literature from various cultures and time periods. It often includes works that influenced or were influenced by theatre.

## Classes similar to History of Theatre I: Classical Athens to Elizabethan London

1. History of Theatre II: Modern Era to Contemporary: This course picks up where History of Theatre I leaves off. You'll explore theatrical developments from the 17th century to the present day.

2. Ancient Greek Drama: Dive deep into the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes. You'll study the cultural context and lasting influence of Greek tragedy and comedy.

3. Shakespeare and His Contemporaries: Focus on the works of Shakespeare and other Elizabethan playwrights. You'll analyze their plays in the context of Renaissance England.

4. World Theatre: This course broadens your perspective by examining theatrical traditions from various cultures around the globe. You'll learn about different performance styles and cultural influences on theatre.

## Majors related to History of Theatre I: Classical Athens to Elizabethan London

1. Theatre Arts: Students learn about all aspects of theatre production, including acting, directing, and design. The program often includes hands-on experience in stage productions.

2. Classical Studies: This major focuses on the languages, literature, and cultures of ancient Greece and Rome. Students gain a deep understanding of the foundations of Western civilization.

3. English Literature: Students analyze and interpret various forms of literature, including plays. The program develops critical thinking and writing skills while exploring different literary periods and genres.

4. History: Students study past events, societies, and cultures to understand how they shape the present. The program often includes courses on specific historical periods covered in theatre history.

## What can you do with a degree in History of Theatre I: Classical Athens to Elizabethan London?

1. Theatre Historian: Research and write about the history of theatre for academic publications or museums. They may also work as consultants for theatre productions or film adaptations of historical plays.

2. Dramaturge: Work with theatre companies to provide historical and cultural context for productions. They research and analyze plays to help directors, actors, and designers understand the work more deeply.

3. Theatre Educator: Teach theatre history and related subjects at high schools, colleges, or universities. They may also develop educational programs for theatres or cultural institutions.

4. Arts Administrator: Manage the business side of theatre companies or cultural organizations. They often use their knowledge of theatre history to inform programming decisions and audience engagement strategies.

## History of Theatre I: Classical Athens to Elizabethan London FAQs

1. Do I need to be a theatre major to take this course? Not at all! It's often open to students from various majors and can fulfill general education requirements.

2. Will we perform any plays in this class? Typically, this is more of a lecture and discussion-based course, but some professors might incorporate short performance exercises to illustrate concepts.

3. How much reading is involved? Expect to read several plays and historical texts throughout the semester. The amount varies, but it's usually manageable if you stay on top of it.

Performing Arts

1.4 Elements of Greek Theatrical Performance

1.2 Ancient Greek Society and Cultural Context

1.3 Origins of Greek Theatre and the City Dionysia

1.1 Foundations of Theatre and Performance Studies

2.1 Structure and Conventions of Greek Tragedy

2.2 Aeschylus and the Oresteia

2.4 Euripides and Innovation in Greek Tragedy

2.3 Sophocles and the Theban Plays

3.3 Middle and New Comedy: Menander and Social Critique

3.2 Aristophanes and Political Satire

3.1 Old Comedy: Structure, Themes, and Conventions

4.1 Hellenistic Theatre and Its Spread

4.3 Roman Theatre Architecture and Performance Practices

4.2 Roman Adaptation of Greek Theatre

5.1 Plautus and Roman Comedy

5.3 Seneca and Roman Tragedy

5.2 Terence and the Comedy of Manners

6.2 Liturgical Drama and the Church

6.3 Mystery Plays and Cycle Dramas

6.1 The Fall of Rome and the Rise of Christian Drama

7.3 Medieval Staging and Performance Practices

7.2 Emergence of Secular Drama and Interludes

7.1 Morality Plays: Themes and Conventions

8.2 Development of Renaissance Theatre in Italy

8.1 Humanism and the Revival of Classical Drama

8.3 Commedia dell'Arte: Characters, Conventions, and Influence

9.3 Calderón de la Barca and Philosophical Drama

9.2 Lope de Vega and the Comedia Nueva

9.1 Spanish Theatre in the 16th and 17th Centuries

10.3 Christopher Marlowe and the University Wits

10.4 Early Career of William Shakespeare

10.1 Tudor England and the Emergence of Professional Theatre

10.2 Elizabethan Playhouses and Performance Practices

11.3 Shakespeare's Later Works and Collaboration

11.1 Ben Jonson and Satirical Comedy

11.2 John Webster and Revenge Tragedy

12.1 From Ancient Amphitheatres to Medieval Stages

12.2 Renaissance Innovations in Theatre Design

12.3 Technological Advancements in Stagecraft and Special Effects

13.2 Preservation and Rediscovery of Classical and Renaissance Texts

13.3 Contemporary Interpretations and Adaptations

13.1 Influence on Subsequent Theatrical Traditions

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