What is theater
As theater it is called literary genre constituted by the set of dramatic works conceived for representation on stage.
Etymologically, the word theater comes from the Greek θέατρον (théatron), which in turn derives θεᾶσθαι (theasthai), which means ‘to look’.
Theater is part of the so-called performing arts, which combines the areas of acting, scenography, music, sound and show.
On the other hand, theater is the name given to both the art and technique of composing plays, as well as their interpretation. For example: “Manuel has dedicated himself to theater.”
Likewise, theater is known as the set of all dramatic productions of a town, era or author. In this way, we can talk about Roman theater, Elizabethan theater or Beckett’s theater.
As a theater we also refer to a physical space, such as a building or a room, intended for the representation of dramatic works, as well as other types of shows.
Theater, in a figurative sense, designates the place where events of great relevance and significance occur: “Russia was the theater of the most important revolution of the 20th century.” Also in a figurative sense, the word theater can be used to refer to a feigned or exaggerated action: “The players do a lot of theater so that their rivals are warned.”
Theater features
Greek theater was fundamentally characterized because they were written in verse and the actors used masks. Contemporary theater is characterized by transmitting to the public, through staging, the desired concept.
In this way, today’s theater encompasses techniques and knowledge from all branches of the performing arts, such as performance and the show, for example.
Theater has evolved with different times and cultures. Today we can count multiple subgenres, among which we can highlight: comedy, drama, puppet or puppet theater, opera, Chinese opera, musical, ballet, tragedy, tragicomedy, pantomime, theater of the absurd, etc.
Elements of theater
Theater, as a branch of the performing arts, is made up of a set of inseparable elements such as:
The textwhich is the written composition of the theatrical piece, made up of the dialogues and notes that define the story;
The directionwhich is the coordination of the elements that make up the representation, from the performances to the scenery, costumes, decoration, makeup, music, sound, lighting, etc., and
The actingwhich is the way the actors convey the truth of each character to the audience.
Types of Theater
In Greek theater, two types of plays were fundamentally performed:
The tragedya dramatic work with an unfortunate ending that dealt with themes from legends, and
The comedywhich had as its theme issues of daily life, which could include political issues that were satirized.
You may also be interested in Greek tragedy.
Theater history
He origin of theater It dates back to primitive man and his rituals associated with hunting, harvesting, death and birth, among others, which could include dances, imitations of animals, ceremonies worshiping the gods, etc.
However, it was in the Ancient Greece when theater took the form we know it today, with performances that included costumes, choreography, music and recitation to tell complex stories.
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