8.

Theatre

 Discuss the historical background of Theatre

Theater as literature dates back to ancient Egypt, where performances were part of religious
rituals, including dance and music. Passion plays, like the story of Osiris, were prominent. Greek
theater emerged around the 6th century BCE, honoring Dionysus. Amphitheaters housed scripted
plays, employing masks and exaggerated footwear for visibility. Tragedies and comedies were
the main genres, with Sophocles notably famous for tragedies like Oedipus Rex.
Romans adopted Greek theater, using amphitheaters and adapting plays. Plautus's comedies
featured stock characters, while Seneca's tragic plays were read privately. In Medieval Europe,
the Church disapproved of formal theater, but folk plays persisted, blending pagan themes with
Christian ideas. Liturgical drama emerged, depicting biblical events and the lives of saints,
eventually moving beyond church settings. Morality plays became popular, acting as allegorical
sermons on stage.

The history of theater arts spans thousands of years and is deeply rooted in human culture and
storytelling.
Early Origins:
The earliest recorded origins of theater arts can be traced back to ancient Greece, around 500
BCE. These theatrical beginnings were closely linked to religious rituals, festivals, and
ceremonies honoring the gods. Performances often took place in amphitheaters and involved
music, dance, and chanting.
Origins and Functions:
Theater began as a communal activity, used as a means of conveying stories, myths, and cultural
values. In ancient Greece, theater served as a form of civic engagement, allowing citizens to
explore philosophical ideas, societal issues, and the human condition through performances of
tragedies and comedies. The function of theater was multifaceted, serving as a platform for
entertainment, education, and social commentary.
Early Influential Figures:
During ancient times, notable figures emerged in theater. In Greece, playwrights like Aeschylus,
Sophocles, and Euripides crafted enduring tragedies that explored complex themes of fate,
morality, and human nature. Actors like Thespis, considered the first actor, performed in these
early plays, helping establish the art of acting.
Evolution of Theater:
Theater evolved across various eras and cultures. Here's a brief comparison of its evolution:
  Classical Era (Ancient Greece and Rome): The Greeks laid the foundation for theater,
focusing on tragedies and comedies. Roman theater borrowed heavily from Greek
traditions but introduced elements like mime and farce.
 Medieval Theater: During the Middle Ages, theater was primarily religious and
performed in churches. Mystery plays, miracle plays, and morality plays conveyed
biblical stories and moral lessons to illiterate congregations.
 Renaissance Theater: The Renaissance period saw a resurgence of interest in classical
Greek and Roman theater. Playwrights like William Shakespeare in England and Molière
in France created enduring works that explored human emotions, politics, and society.
 Modern Theater: From the 19th century onwards, theater expanded globally and
diversified in style and subject matter. Realism, naturalism, avant-garde movements, and
experimental theater emerged, challenging traditional forms and addressing
contemporary issues.
Throughout these eras, the function of theater diversified, encompassing entertainment, cultural
preservation, social critique, and political commentary.
Comparative Evolution:
Each era brought unique changes and innovations to theater. Ancient theater focused on
communal storytelling and religious significance. Medieval theater was deeply religious and
educational, aiming to teach moral lessons. The Renaissance revived classical traditions and
explored human emotions. Modern theater became more experimental, reflecting societal
changes and diverse artistic expressions.
Theater's evolution involved shifts in performance spaces, acting techniques, playwright styles,
and societal roles. From the ritualistic origins in ancient Greece to the diverse, experimental
forms of contemporary theater, the art form continues to evolve, adapt, and resonate with
audiences worldwide.

 Identify and differentiate the various elements, types, and artists’ tools of theatre

Elements of Theatre:
 Plot: It's not just the sequence of events but also the arrangement and development of
those events. A well-structured plot includes rising action, climax, and resolution,
creating tension and engaging the audience's interest.
  Character: Characters are the heart of any narrative. They possess depth, evolving
through experiences, motivations, flaws, and virtues. Rounded characters have
complexity and growth, while flat characters serve specific narrative purposes without
much development.
 Theme: Themes are overarching ideas or concepts explored within a play, revealing
deeper meanings and universal truths. They can address complex human experiences,
societal issues, or philosophical concepts.
 Dialogue: Beyond advancing the plot, dialogue unveils character traits, relationships,
conflicts, and emotions. It's a tool for character development and conveying information
to the audience.
 Setting: The setting isn't merely the backdrop; it influences the mood, atmosphere, and
sometimes even the characters' behaviors. It includes time, place, cultural context, and
environmental factors, all contributing to the story's context.
 Music and Sound: Besides setting the tone, music and sound effects evoke emotions and
amplify the atmosphere. They guide the audience's emotional responses, heightening
dramatic moments and underscoring pivotal scenes.
 Spectacle: Visual elements, from stage design to lighting, transform the audience's
experience. They create the world where the story unfolds, emphasizing key moments
and enhancing the overall impact.

Types of Theatre:
 Drama: This type of theatre presents serious stories focusing on the emotional
development of characters. It encompasses tragedy, comedy, and tragicomedy, delving
into deep themes and character exploration.
 Musical Theatre: Combining music, song, dance, and spoken dialogue, musical theatre
uses these elements to tell a story. It often features catchy tunes, elaborate choreography,
and compelling narratives.
 Comedy: Comedy theatre aims to entertain and amuse through humor, wit, and satire. It
can include slapstick, farce, romantic comedy, and social or political satire.
 Experimental/Avant-Garde: This form challenges traditional norms and boundaries,
often pushing the limits of conventional storytelling techniques. It explores new forms of
expression, unconventional narratives, and avant-garde concepts.
 Physical Theatre: Emphasizing movement, gesture, and non-verbal communication,
physical theatre relies less on dialogue and more on the body to convey emotions, ideas,
and narratives.
 Improvisational Theatre (Improv): Performers create scenes, dialogue, and stories
spontaneously without a script. It's characterized by quick thinking, creativity, and
audience interaction.
 Puppet Theatre: Using puppets as primary characters, this form ranges from traditional
hand-operated puppets to elaborate marionettes, often creating imaginative and fantastical
worlds.
  Site-Specific Theatre/ Street Theatre: Performances designed for specific locations
outside traditional theatre spaces, integrating the environment into the storytelling.
 Political Theatre: Focuses on social or political issues, aiming to provoke thought, raise
awareness, or inspire action through performance.
 Interactive/Immersive Theatre: Engages the audience directly, blurring the line
between spectators and performers, often allowing audience members to participate in the
unfolding narrative.

Artists' Tools in Theatre:

 Script: The written text of a play, including dialogue, stage directions, and character
descriptions.
 Acting Techniques: Methods and approaches actors use to portray characters
convincingly.
 Directing: The art of guiding actors and coordinating elements to bring a script to life on
stage.
 Stage Design: Includes sets, props, costumes, and makeup to create the visual world of a
performance.
 Lighting and Sound Design: Enhance mood, atmosphere, and emphasize key moments
in a production.
 Choreography: The design and arrangement of dance and movement sequences in
musicals or physical theater.
 Music and Score: Compositions or existing music used to complement the narrative and
emotions in a performance.
Artists in theater include playwrights, actors, directors, set designers, costume designers, lighting
designers, sound designers, choreographers, and composers, each contributing their expertise to
create a cohesive and impactful theatrical experience. These elements, types, and tools work
together to shape the diverse world of theater.

 Recognize the national artists for theatre and discuss their respective masterpieces, and prominent
Filipino theatre actors / actresses
 Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero: Known as the "Father of Philippine Drama in English,"
Guerrero was a playwright and theater director. He contributed significantly to Philippine
theater, creating socially relevant plays that explored Filipino identity and culture. His
works include "Wanted: A Chaperon" and "Three Rats."
 Lamberto V. Avellana: A director and actor, Avellana played a pivotal role in
Philippine cinema and theater. He directed significant films and stage productions,
including "Anak Dalita" and "Hibik ng Pilipinas." His contribution helped shape
Philippine cinema's Golden Age.
 Daisy Avellana: Wife of Lamberto Avellana, Daisy was an accomplished actress and
director. She co-founded the Barangay Theatre Guild and played significant roles both on
stage and in film, contributing to the development of Philippine theater.
  Honorata "Atang" de la Rama: Regarded as the "Queen of Kundiman and Sarsuela,"
De la Rama was a singer, actress, and producer. She popularized the sarsuela, a form of
Filipino musical theater, and contributed significantly to Philippine music and culture.
 Rolando S. Tinio: A playwright, actor, and director, Tinio was known for his mastery of
Filipino and English literature. He translated foreign plays into Filipino and wrote
original works, contributing significantly to Filipino theater and education.
 Severino Montano: A playwright, actor, and theater director, Montano established the
Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA). He focused on socially relevant
plays that addressed national issues, using theater as a platform for social change and
education.
 Salvador F. Bernal: Renowned for his work in set and production design, Bernal was a
trailblazer in Philippine theater design. His innovative and visually striking set designs
elevated the overall theatrical experience, leaving a lasting impact on Philippine theater
production.
Activity:

Select 5 members from your group and choose a famous movie scene to reenact during class.