Ancient Greek: THEATRE

Panoramic view of the Greek theatre at Epidaurus

The Greek theatre history began with festivals honoring their gods. A god, Dionysus, was honored with a festival called by "City Dionysia". Plays were only presented at City Dionysia festival.
Athens was the main center for these theatrical traditions. Athenians spread these festivals to its numerous allies in order to promote a common identity.
At the early Greek festivals, the actors, directors and dramatists were all the same person. After some time, only three actors were allowed to perform in each play. Due to limited number of actors allowed on-stage, the chorus evolved into a very active part of Greek theatre. Music was often played during the chorus' delivery of its lines.
Tragedy, comedy, and satyr plays were the theatrical forms.
Tragedy means "goat song", perhaps referring to goats sacrificed to Dionysus before performances, or to goat-skins worn by the performers.
Aristotle's Poetics contain the earliest known theory about the origins of Greek theatre. He says that tragedy evolved from dithyrambs, songs sung in praise of Dionysus at the Dionysia each year. Comedy was also an important part of ancient Greek theatre.
Greek Theatre
Theatre buildings were called a theatron. The theaters were large, open-air structures constructed on the slopes of hills. They consisted of three main elements: the orchestra, the skene, and the audience.
Orchestra: A large circular or rectangular area at the center part of the theatre, where the play, dance, religious rites, acting used to take place.
Skene: A large rectangular building situated behind the orchestra, used as a backstage. Actors could change their costumes and masks.
Audience: Rising from the circle of the orchestra was the audience. The theatres were originally built on a very large scale to accommodate the large number of people in the audience, up to fourteen thousand.
Acting
The cast of a Greek play in the Dionysia was comprised of amateurs, not professionals (all male).
Costumes and Masks
The actors were so far away from the audience that without the aid of exaggerated costumes and masks they would not be understood.
However, most Greek theatres were cleverly constructed to transmit even the smallest sound to any seat.
The masks were made of linen or cork, so none have survived. Tragic masks carried mournful or pained expressions, while comic masks were smiling or leering.
The shape of the mask amplified the actor's voice, making his words easier for the audience to hear.