Theater I: Journals & Make-Up Quizzes

Don't forget to see Ms. Yanchak if you missed the quiz on Thursday.  You will not be given class time to make it up; you will need to schedule a before/after school time or come in during lunch.

Friday's Theater I journal entry:

#5 -- Progress -- 9/25

What challenges has your group faced so far in the Primitive Theater Project?  How have you resolved any arguments or disagreements?

Theater II & III: Greek Theater Notes

Theater II and III Greek Theater notes:

Greek Theater

Or “Tragedy tomorrow, Comedy tonight!”

 

Dionysus:

GREEK DRAMA BEGAN AS A FORM OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP TO THE GREEK GOD,  DIONYSUS.

Dionysus and Religious Worship:

DIONYSUS IS THE GOD OF WINE AND VEGETATION.

DIONYSUS WAS BELIEVED TO DIE EACH WINTER AND WAS REBORN IN THE SPRING.

THIS CYCLICAL REVIVAL, WITH THE SEASONAL RENEWAL OF THE FRUITS OF THE EARTH, EMBODIED THE PROMISE OF RESURRECTION. 

YEARLY RIGHTS TO DIONYSUS EVOLVED INTO THE STRUCTURED FORM OF GREEK DRAMA

Dionysian Festival:

THE GREATER DIONYSIA WAS HELD FOR FIVE DAYS DURING THE SPRING.

EACH WRITER WOULD PRESENT THREE TRAGEDIES AND A SATYR PLAY.

What word in English is “satyr” similar to?

A SATYR PLAY IS A FARCICAL, OFTEN BAWDY PARODY OF THE GODS AND THEIR MYTHS.

PEOPLE WOULD SIT THROUGH THE PLAYS IN THE THEATER AND WOULD VOTE FOR THEIR FAVORITE PLAYS BY CASTING BALLOTS. 

Parts of a Greek Tragedy

Your project will require you to have knowledge of the various parts of a traditional Greek tragedy.

Here are some definitions and facts to help your group out!

1. Prologue

A monologue or dialogue preceding the entry of the chorus, which presents the tragedy's topic.

Example: The “prologue” in Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet operates much like a Greek prologue.
“Two households, both alike in dignity, 
    In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, 

From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, 
    Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.

From forth the fatal loins of these two foes 
    A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life…”

2. Parados

The entering lyric of the Chorus which explains background information.

Example: In Antigone, the entrance of the Chorus tells us that the war has left Antigone’s brothers dead – and that the king has forbidden any burial for one.

3. Episodes

Parts of the play where characters perform/act out the events.

Example: Think of an episode of your favorite TV show.  Actors act out the events – but don’t comment on it.

In a Greek tragedy episode, the only character who can comment on the action is the Chorus.
Think of Bernie Mac in The Bernie Mac Show.

4. Choral Odes

The Chorus speaks about the THEME of the story by using metaphor, simile, or an anecdote.

Example: In musicals, the characters sometimes burst into song to sing about their thoughts about the action of the play.  It’s sort of like that.

5. Exodus

As the characters leave, the Chorus tells us what we should have learned from the story.

Example: The EPILOGUE of a great many Shakespeare plays or the MORAL of the story.
Think of Aesop’s Fables…

Theater I & II: Theater History Notes

·         Theatre began thousands of years ago, probably before the start of recorded history.

·         Early cultures used ritual, dance and storytelling to communicate.

·         Theatre is one of the HUMANITIES; it attempts to answer the questions: “Who am I?” “Why are we here?” and “Where are we going?”

·         A RITUAL is an action performed REPEATEDLY because of its symbolic significance and its ability to evoke the emotions of those engaged in the performance.

·         Through rituals, early humans wanted to:
- Achieve success in battle and hunting
- Ensure adequate sun and rain
- Express their duty to the community and to the gods

·         Common to all traditional cultures, the shaman is a priestly figure who communicates directly with the gods through rituals for the benefit of the community.

·         Rituals were usually performed by elders, priests or shamans.

·         Our knowledge of early theatre and rituals comes from wall painings, artifacts, and hieroglyphics.

·         Rituals often told a story based on the culture’s beliefs.  These stories were often based on MYTH.

·         Myths gained a life beyond the rituals, and began to be performed for entertainment.

·         Myth, Stories, Rituals BECAME Habit, Tradition BECAME Entertainment which BECAME Theatre!

·         The earliest example of ritual evolving into theatre comes from Ancient Egypt.

·         The world’s first report of a dramatic production is an Egyptian drama known as the Abydos Passion Play.
- The play at Abydos is the story of the god Osiris.

Myths and stories have been used to entertain and to educate human beings since
the very beginning of spoken language.

• Stories were told in order to:
- TEACH HISTORY                                                - ENTERTAIN

 - SETTLE ARGUMENTS                                    - HONOR THE GODS

 - MAKE SENSE OF THE WORLD        - COMMUNICATE EXPERIENCES

 - RECORD HISTORY

·         Homer was a blind poet who may have been born on an island in the Aegean Sea (GREEK).

·        He probably composed his works between 700 and 800 B.C.

·         Homer was an ancient Greek epic poet, traditionally said to be the
author of the epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey.

·         Homer was one of the first storytellers to use repetition and dialogue in his stories.

·         Homer’s (and others!)  stories provided many of the ideas and plots for playwrights that came after him!

·         Dance is another probable origin of theatre.

·         Dance comes from:
 - animal imitation                        - pantomime
 - gymnastics                                    - rhythmic movement

Dance was often used as part of rituals. 

Theater I: Warm-Up Lesson

Teaching Your Warm-Up

This week you'll be teaching your warm-up activities to the class.  Make sure to come prepared with your blue lesson plan, any props/music you need, and a willingness to participate in other warm-ups.  You will be earning points -- like always! -- based on your participation in your classmates' lessons.

Take a look again at the rubric on your lesson plan to refresh your memory on how I will evaluate you.

Also, you'll be evaluating another group's lesson.  I will go over guidelines for that today in class.

You will be turning in:

1. Your blue lesson plan and any other notes attached

2. Your peer critique/evaluation (distributed today in class)

Good luck!

Theater III: September 11th assembly

Assembly Need-to-know:

• Wear BLACK pants or blue jeans and a BLACK shirt.   Please look clean, neat, and presentable.
• Report to the auditorium IMMEDIATELY following 1st period for rehearsal.
• Rehearsal is 2nd period.
• Performances are 3rd, 5th and 6th period.
• You will have both A and B lunch to relax.  If you are not leaving campus, you may hang out and eat your lunch in the Black Box.  DO NOT WANDER AROUND THE SCHOOL.  Your options are Black Box, cafeteria, or off campus.
• You MUST go to 7th period for class.
• You are responsible for all work missed.
• The attendance office has been notified of your participation in the assembly.

Theater II: Journal Entries

Journal check is today.  You should have TWO entries.

1. 9/11 Letter: Write a letter to your imaginary future grandchildren about your experience or your family's experience with the events of September 11, 2001.  Try to tell them about your feelings, questions, and the changes that may have occurred in your community/society after the events.
2. Character Analysis: Based on the monologue you've chosen, complete a character analysis based on the following questions:

1. Age?

2. Occupation or grade level?

3. External traits?

4. Internal traits?

5. How does this person move?

6. What types of people is this person friends with?

7. What is life like at home?

Theater I: Journal Entries

We have had 3 journal entries so far in class.  Our first journal check is TODAY, Thursday, September 10.

Journals must be formatted with the entry number, the journal title, and the date.

Journals must be kept in a binder, portfolio folder, or notebook that is marked clearly with your name, class period, and Theater I.

Any "loose paper" journals will receive a zero for this check.

Here's the list of journal entries thus far:

1. Fair Choice: How did your group make decisions and choices regarding the tableaus your performed?  Were there any difficulties?  Did someone "take the lead?"  Who?
2. Warm-Ups: Make a chart of the warm-ups we've learned so far in class.  List the titles of warm-ups on one side (Rag Doll, Stordahlen, Pass the Clap, etc.).  List the goals that each achieves (relaxation, memory, energy building, etc.) on the other.
3. Directions: Think about something that you are an EXPERT at doing -- tying your shoe, making a sandwich... something simple.  Write directions on HOW TO DO that thing using at least 7 steps.  Make sure your directions are simple enough for anyone to understand.

Theater I: Neighborhood Story

Today in class you were given time to begin the second part of our neighborhood project.  Using the neighborhood from your maps, your task was to write down a story that you remember from your neighborhood.  

Tips: 

• Take a look at your map for inspiration.  Sometimes you can't remember what happened until you see WHERE it happened. 
  
• Keep your story classroom appropriate, but tell the truth.
• Leave out names if you would like people to remain anonymous.
• If you REALLY can't remember ANYTHING that happened... go ahead and make something up.  Please don't tell anyone else in the class which parts of your story are true and which are false.  (It's not lying... it's "make believe.")

Neighborhood Story Assignment (15pts)

Due Wednesday, Sept. 2

Requirements:

1. Heading: Name, Theater I, Class Period, Assignment Title
2. Three paragraphs: In this class, a paragraph = 5-7 sentences.  This will help you organize the beginning, middle and end of your story.
3. Complete sentences, please: But I do NOT check for correct spelling or grammar.  Please write the way you speak!
4. Your story must have a clear beginning, middle, and end.