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Theatres
•the Orchestra,
•the Scene and
• the main theatre,
called Koilon / Theatron.
The Greek Theatre, an open-air structure, which consist of
Orchestra, auditorium or cavea and scene building, was
generally Hollowed out of the slop of a hillside, in or near a city.
The Orchestra (literally, "dancing space")
was the almost circular place, situated in front
of the scene (stage) facing the audience. It
was a level space where the chorus would
dance, sing, and interact with the actors who
were on the stage near the skene. At the
center of the orchestra was situated
theThymeli, which at the early years was
meant to be an altar and later on, a place,
where the leader of the chorus (koryphaios)
was standing. Some archaeological
researches in the Athens area gave some
clues for the existence of rectangular
orchestras in some ancient Greek theaters,
but the circular shape was the dominant one
and also the closest to the Dionysiac cult (the
circle was supposed to have supernatural
power). The orchestra was the acting place,
especially in the early years, although
gradually the action moved from the orchestra
to the scene and -if we want to be more
specific-to front side of the scene, which part
was called Proscenio, because it was
situated in front of the scene (pro+scene).
Orchestra and scene building
from above, Epidauros, Theater
The earliest orchestras were simply made of hard earth, but in the
Classical period some orchestras began to be paved with marble
and other materials. In the center of the orchestra there was often a
thymele, or altar. The orchestra of the theater of Dionysus in
Athens was about 60 feet in diameter.
Theatron / CAVEA: The theatron (literally, "viewing-place") is where the spectators sat.
The theatron was usually part of hillside overlooking the orchestra, and often wrapped
around a large portion of the orchestra . Spectators in the fifth century BC probably sat
on cushions or boards, but by the fourth century the theatron of many Greek theaters
had marble seats.
Between the scene and the seats, there were two more entrances, called Parodoi, one
on the right and one on the left, from which the chorus and the persons coming from the
outside (i.e. not from the Temple nor the Palace) were enering the scene. If someone
was entering from the right parodos, that meant that he was coming from the city or
the port. If he was coming from the left parodos, he was supposed to come from the
fields or abroad.
The front seats were called Proedria and were
reserved for officials and priests. The most
honorable spectator of the theater was the priest of
Elefthereos Dionysus, who was sitting in a throne
made of marble.
References:
This is just a track line to the subject matter. students are requested to study the recommended books & also go after .