The Layout of a Greek Theatre
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In ancient Greece, theaters were outside, often on hillsides or open areas in the center of a city. Over time, Grecian theatres became increasingly elaborate, but the overall structure of the theatre remained the same.
Theatron: Greek for “viewing place”, the theatron held the spectators, who either stood or sat as they watched dramas. Earlier spectators mostly stood or sat on cushions or boards, but later theatres often had stone seats. The theatron was usually a hillside overlooking the orchestra, and wrapped around it at times.
- Cavea: The auditorium area
- Prohedria: Prohedria, or “front seating” was the bottom of the viewing area reserved for important figures, like state officials or foreign dignitaries.
- Cunei: Wedge shaped sections in the theatron, divided by narrow steps
- Diazomata: Horizontal walkways separating the upper and lower sections of the theatron.
Orchestra: Literally translated to “dancing space” in Greek, the orchestra was a round, level area. Generally the chorus danced and sang in the orchestra, while interacting with the actors. In the beginning, the orchestra was only a clear area of earth, but later orchestras were often paved with stones such a marble.
- Thymele: An alter in the center of most orchestras
Skene: Meaning “tent:, the skene was placed right behind the orchestra, and was often decorated as a palace or temple and used as a set piece. The skene had doors for the actors to enter and exit through, and the roof was utilized, as well, and characters who were gods or kings would stand on the roof.
- Proskenion:The front façade of the Skene, representing a specific for the drama.
- Paraskenia: Two small wings on either side of the skene in many theatres.
Parados: The Paradi, or “passageways” were paths that the chorus and actors often entered from. The audience also entered and exited from the parade.