Theatrical Forms
from Different
Art Periods
Objectives
a. Identify the Theatrical Forms from
Diferent Art Periods;
b. appreciate the Theatrical Forms from
Diferent Art Periods; and
c. make a short essay about the
importance of theatrical forms in the
Philippines
Rituals and ceremonies were
upshots of the myths and
stories told, and theater evolved
from them. Theater takes place
in a location called theatron, a
“place of seeing”.
Theatrical form refers to the type
or genre of the play performed by
the actors on stage. Generally
there are four basic theatrical
forms: Tragedy, Comedy,
Melodrama and Drama.
Different Art
Periods
A. Ancient Theater
(700 B.C.E – 410 B.C.E.)
Tragedy - deals with tragic
events, unhappy endings,
defeat of the main character, it
is the most admired type of
play in Greece.
There were only 3 players
allowed on stage, a “chorus”
(group of up to 15 actors who
sang and dance but did not
speak) helps in scene
transitions.
Thespis - the earliest recorded
actor in a tragedy play, introduced
the use of masks. Often called
the “Father of Tragedy”.
“Thespian” is a common English
term for a performer.
Comedy - a form of theater that
mirrors the society in a humorous
way reflecting wickedness and
immorality. It makes people see
the impact of their behavior and
change for the better.
Satyr – (Greek theater)
combination of tragedy and
comedy. A spoof of tragedy
known for its vulgar and
indecent amusement.
Usually performed after a set
of three tragedies. (also
called tragicomedy, a term
coined by Titus Maccius
Plautus, a Roman playwright).
Parts of a
Greek
Theater
Skene
means “tent” and refers to a
wooden wall having doors
and painted to represent a
palace, temple or whatever
setting was required.
Orchestra
The orchestra was the
main part of the stage
where the chorus was
located.
Theatron
The theatron was the
auditorium of the
Greek theater.
Paradoi
The way the actors entered the
stage also told much about
what is going on. For example,
in most theaters there were
normally two parodos, or
entrances.
B. Medieval Theater (500
C.E. -1400)
Transition and Early Medieval
Theater (Byzantine Empire)
Theatrical Forms:
1. Mime, Pantomime scenes,
or recitations from tragedies and
comedies
2. Liturgical dramas or
Religious plays - dramatized
versions of particular biblical
events ex. Mystere de Adam or
Mystery of Adam
High & Late Medieval Period:
3. “Feast of Fools” festival
(where lesser clergy get to
ridicule the superiors androutine
church life)
4. Mystery Plays – earliest
formally developed plays in
Medieval Europe, actors were
all male amateur locals and
uses the vernacular in their
plays.
5. Morality Plays - examples
are: “The Castle of
Perseverance” and “Everyman”.
6. Secular performances - (not
religious) ex: “Play of the
Greenwood” by Allan de la
7. Farces - comedy with highly
exaggerated and extravagant
situations.
8. Masques - festive courtly
entertainment in the 16th & 17th
bc was developed in Italy.
C. Renaissance Theater
(1400 – 1600)
1. Emergence of the
Commedia dell ‘arte – from
Italy. Theater troupe that
performed lively improvisational
playlets across Europe for
centuries. Actor centered,
requires little scenery and props.
2. History plays (English or
European history), Tragedy
(ex. Revenge plays), Comedy
(with subgenre City comedy),
from the older genres were the
Pastoral plays, Morality plays,
Tragicomedy, and Masque,
3. The Companies of Players
became the foundation of
professional players performing
on the Elizabethan stage.
4. William Shakespeare is the
most famous playwright during
this period.
D. Baroque Theater
(1600 – 1750)
Tragedy was the overall
preferred genre, but the
aristocrats preferred the lighter
tragicomedy. Pierre Corneille, a
tragedian produced works that
were un_x0002_tragic having
happy endings, like his “Le Cid”.
E. Neoclassical Theater
(1800 – 1900)
Theater was dominated by
Neoclassicism (art forms
inspired by the classics).
Emphasis was on the exact
adherence to the classical
unities that has largely
contributed to proper
decorum (audience etiquette)
when watching a play.
F. Romantic Theater
(1800 – 2000)
Melodrama and Operas were
the most popular theatrical
forms. There was an
abundance of Experimental
theater (also known as avant
garde theater).
Avant Garde Theater - a
rejection of the conventional
theater styles, the experimental
theater changes the theme,
language even the relationship
of the actors to the audience.
Hollywood came out and
endangered American
theater. But theater was not
affected instead it continued
to be known and noticed
Activity 3: GUESS WHERE!
Directions: Pick up words or phrases
found in the upper box and place
them under each period in the lower
box where you think they belong.
Write you answers in one whole
sheet of paper.
Tragedy Melodrama Mystery Plays
William Shakespeare Thespis Satyr
Religious Plays Tragedy Thespian
Comedy
Romantic Theater Drama
Baroque
Melodrama
Theater
Comedy
