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Online Guide to the History of Theater

By September 27, 2023November 15th, 2023History, Theater

Online Guide to
the History of Theater

The terminology ‘theater’, meaning ‘a place for viewing’, originated in Ancient Greece some 5,000 years back.

Theater is a branch of performing arts that focuses on live performances by actors, which creates a self-contained drama. Since its inception, theater has taken many forms that involve dance, gestures, and pantomime combined with various other performing arts to portray a single artistic form.

Based on the type of performance, theater has broadly been classified into 3 categories, which are drama, musical theater and comedy.

drama

Drama

Musical

Musical

comedy

Comedy

They emerged at different times in the history of theater and slowly progressed to the technically advanced modern day theater. The various categories have been shared here with discussion on different types of theater right from their origin.

ORIGIN OF
THEATER

Theater emerged from myths, ceremony and ritual which took place in daily life. This educational link sheds light on the historical background of theater.

The history of drama can be traced back to celebratory music of the 6th century which transformed over the years.

The First Play

The first play staged in Athens was centered on the protagonist of the play ‘The Persians’, which was first performed in 472 B.C. Other details of the play mentioned in detail in the excerpt.

protagonist

ANCIENT
THEATER

Ancient theater can be very well associated with Greece, where it first originated 5000 years back. Learn about the structure and types of theater in Ancient Greece.

This is an online archive that has several links to the different types of theaters of the ancient world with the description.

The timeline of Greek theater is traced back in time and also information is provided on types of drama that were staged in those times.

Different types of acting styles and costumes were used on stage in the Ancient theaters. Enjoy a broad spectrum of history and development.

MEDIEVAL
THEATER

An introduction is provided to the medieval theaters, shedding light on its history and growth.

MEDIEVIL THEATER history

Various types of drama have been explained, which were staged during the medieval times.

Medieval English theater is an internationally referred journal which publishes material on medieval theater that can be used as a constant source of information.

ITALIAN
THEATER

The 17th century marked a time of political and military strife. A change took place with the emergence of the 18th century which has been discussed in detail.

BRITISH
THEATER

The British theater is an arena of numerous possibilities. The BBC provides information about the various aspects of British theater and the inspiration it takes from art and culture with a beautifully illustrated timeline.

Gilbert

Gilbert & Sullivan

British musical theater existed in the 20th century. This is an informative resource on British musical theater discussing great play writers like Gilbert and Sullivan.

Sullivan

The theater designers work to create various costumes, light and effect which play an important role in the portrayal of the drama. The link explains about the Society of designers of British theater in detail.

Theater plays can be enacted through dances sequences. The association of dancers has been formed to support dancer in British theater.

SPANISH
THEATER

The article discusses the Spanish theater’s history along with the major types of drama and the play writes.

FRENCH
THEATER

Prior to 1567, theater was only meant for aristocrat and wasn’t found of must interest. Though after this period the situation changed and a number of companies came up that shaped the present day French theater.

Learn About French Theater

The link is specially meant for theater student, who can gain an in depth study on topics related to theater and theater arts.

The link is specially meant for theater student, who can gain an in depth study on topics related to theater and theater arts.

iean-racine

ASIAN
THEATER

A historical perspective has been presented on performing arts in Asia.

Youth for Asian theater is a San-Francisco based organization, which promotes Asian heritage through its theater works focusing youth issues.

Read details about the origin of kabuki, Japanese Puppet Theater and other forms of performing arts in Japan.

East Asia Arts

The document brings to light East Asian nations like China, Korea and Japan and the prevalence of theater and its growth.

AMERICAN
THEATER

The resource goes back in time to trace the roots of the theater and how it grew.

Robert Hope-Jones

Robert Hope-Jones created a whole new system of theater organ with a new electrical control system, which is explained in detail.

Robert Hope-Jones
piano
electrical control system

MODERN
THEATER

The history of Modern theater saw an increase in the commercialization of arts, use of better technologies and change in the type of staged plays. These changes have been highlighted in the link.

Read details about the origin of kabuki, Japanese Puppet Theater and other forms of performing arts in Japan.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did theater first begin?

Theater started in ancient Greece as part of religious festivals for Dionysus. Plays were written and performed by playwrights and actors. It spread to other civilizations like the Romans and Elizabethans, each with its styles and traditions. Today, theater is a popular form of artistic expression and entertainment worldwide.

What are the three origins of theater?

The three origins of theater can be traced back to ancient Greece, where it originated as a religious ritual honoring the god Dionysus; ancient Egypt, where it was performed as part of religious ceremonies and festivals; and ancient India, where it emerged as a form of storytelling and entertainment in the form of Sanskrit drama.

Who was the first actor in theater?

The first actor in theater is believed to be Thespis, a Greek poet and playwright who lived in the 6th century BC. He is credited with being the first person to step out of the chorus and take on a speaking role, thus becoming the first actor in theater history.

Why is the history of theater important?

The history of theater is important because it helps us understand our cultural heritage, appreciate artistic achievements, and analyze the social and cultural context of plays.

What is the history of theater in medieval times?

Theater in medieval times changed a lot. Religious drama became popular and important. The Church organized these performances in churches or public squares. The plays were about Bible stories and performed in the common language. Theater became more fancy with props, costumes, and bigger casts. The performances taught moral and religious lessons and influenced society and culture.

What are the elements of theater?

The theater has several elements: script or text, actors, set design, lighting, sound, costumes, and props. These elements work together to create a theatrical production and bring the story to life on stage. The script provides dialogue and structure; actors portray characters with emotions and actions. The set design creates the physical environment. Lighting sets the mood, and sound effects and music enhance the experience. Costumes define characters, and props enhance storytelling.

What era of theater history was Shakespeare?

Shakespeare was a prominent figure in the Elizabethan era of theater history.

What era of history was early Japanese theater?

Early Japanese theater refers to the era of history known as the Edo period, which lasted from 1603 to 1868. During this time, traditional Japanese theater forms such as Noh, Kabuki, and Bunraku flourished and evolved. These theatrical performances were deeply rooted in Japanese culture and history, showcasing a unique blend of music, dance, and storytelling.

Which period of artistic history is defined as the "age of theater?

The “age of theater” is known as the Renaissance. Theater thrived during this time, with playwrights like Shakespeare creating enduring works. The Renaissance saw the growth of permanent theaters and new dramatic techniques. It focused on humanism, complex themes, and realistic characters and emotions on stage.

What is a Greek trilogy in the history of theater?

Greek trilogies were a common form of theater in ancient Greece. They consisted of three interconnected plays that explored themes like fate and morality. These trilogies were performed on a single day during religious festivals. Famous examples include the Oresteia by Aeschylus and Theban plays by Sophocles.