The Evolution of Medieval and Elizabethan Theatre: Key Elements and Character Archetypes

1. Final review

2. Final Review • Improv Guidelines • Say yes, - Agreement • And…add new info • Don’t say No! • Avoid asking questions • Establish character and setting

3. Medieval Theatre History • Mystery play – based on biblical stories • Passion Plays – based on the last week in the life of Christ. • Morality Plays – focused on the principles of right and wrong. • Miracle plays: based on lives of saint

4. Medieval Theatre History • Trope -- short dramatized scenes from the gospel added to the Catholic mass. • Guild – Medieval groups of trades or craftsmen • Pageant Wagon – Multilevel cart the doubled as a stage • Cycles– a series of short plays based on religious history and the Bible.

5. Medieval Theatre History • Main theme of a morality play - salvation • Allegory – Symbolic representation • Main Character in a morality play – humanity • Everyman is an example of morality play • The church revived theatre to teach their message.

6. Commedia Dell Arte • Began in Italy • Stock character – a character with a recognizable traits that remain the same from play to play. • Lazzi – jokes, comic “bits”, gags. • Scenario – Outline • Renaissance – means rebirth

7. Commedia Dell Arte • Pantolone-His names means “Mr. Big Pants”. A wealthy, miserly old man. • Il Dottore - The Doctor -a smug, know-it-all” professor, who really knows nothing • Il Capitano a boasting, bragging macho soldier, who tells tall tales of victory but is actually a coward underneath.

8. Commedia Dell Arte • Innamorati- The Lovers provided the main plot. They were young, graceful and attractive, they wore fashionable clothes and no masks. • Arlecchino - Nimble, acrobatic, tricky servant. Childlike, not too bright. • Columbina -The wise-cracking maid, usually the smartest character; flirtatious, playful, servant to the leading lady and Arlecchino’s girlfriend.

9. Commedia Dell Arte • Brighalla - The tough-guy servant, a good liar, always out for himself. Usually a shopkeeper • Zanni - The poorest, stupidest, and hungriest servant. Sleeps on the job, sneaks off to eat food or daydream Cannot do what he is told very well at all.

10. Elizabethan Theatre • Wealth patrons sat in the - Galleries • The area in front of the stage - Pit • Groundlings -Patrons who paid a penny to stand in the pit • Shakespeare's outdoor theatre – The Globe • Flag was raised to signal a performance • William Shakespeare was born on April 23,1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon.

11. Elizabethan Theatre • Shakespeare wrote 37 plays. • Monarchs Queen Elizabeth and King James I • Lord Chamberlain’s Men – theatre troupe • Heavens – Roof over stage • Only Men acted • Comedy, Tragedy, History

12. Elizabethan Theatre • Little scenery used in Shakespeare’ time. • Music and sound were used. • Plays were published after Shakespeare’s death. • Globe – Octagonal shaped, opened air, thatched roof • Considered the greatest playwright of all time.

13. Set Design Unity - A situation in which all elements of the set form a perfect whole, centering on the main idea of the play Emphasis - The focus of the audience’s attention on some part of the stage. Proportion - Stage setting that takes the human being as the unit of measure Balance – The visual symmetry of the stage

14. Set Design • Flat -A wooden frame covered with cloth or plywood, painted to give the appearance of walls or other background. • Hollywood Flat – covered with plywood • Theatrical Flat - covered with fabric (muslin or canvas) • Texture - Painting technique to make a surface look smooth or rough

15. Set Design • Scenic Designer – Designs scenery (sets) for plays. • Permanent Set – A set that remains unchanged throughout the play • Box Set – A two or three walled set representing the interior of a room. • Fourth Wall – The imaginary wall through which the audience watches the action of the play.

16. Set Design • Unit Set -– A basic set from which several settings can be created. • Purpose of scenery – provide a place to act. • Backdrop – A large piece of cloth painted to represent scenery that is hung on battens at the back of the stage. • Atmosphere – The environment of the play created by setting, staging and lighting.

17. Colors • Red - aggression, passion, bloody, love, strength • Green – youthful, eternal, jealousy, reborn, growth • Blue – calm , cool, formal, spiritual, truthful, depression • Yellow – happy, cheerful, cowardly • Purple – mystical, mournful, rich, regal

18. Colors • Orange - exhilaration, cheerful, lively • Brown – earthy, common, poverty • Black –power, melancholy, tragic, gloomy, death • White – truth, innocent, pure, peaceful