Unit 9 & 10 - Acting Technique & Performance

'Chorus' Choral Speaking   Definition: Choral Speaking is a Greek theatre performance technique that allows a group to present vocal performances of poems and other texts.  Types of Choral speaking Refrain Solo lines Unison Antiphonal Line around Cumulative Refrain Definition: Refrain is where one person reads the narrative portion of the text while the rest of the chorus joins in.  It is one of the most common forms of choral speaking. Solo Lines Definition: Solo lines is a type of choral reading where individuals read certain lines in appropriate places throughout the performance/group activity. Unison Definition: Unison is where the group read the material/script together at the same time. Sometimes it includes added sound effects. Antiphon Definition: Antiphon is where the chorus is divided into 2 or more groups. Each group has a certain part of the selection that they are responsible for. Line around Definition: Line around is where there is more solo work where each...

  History of Theatre 8500 BC Primitive Tribal Dance and Religious Rituals Theories suggest the first dramatic stories were told by primitive tribes returning from hunts and re-enacting the events for the rest of the tribe. The religious leader (the Shaman) would watch and it would become a spiritual celebration.    2500 BC Egyptian Ritual Dramas The Ritual Dramas honoured the gods and were performed at seasonal festivals in temple sanctuaries or at sacred lakes. The festivals had re-enactments of myths and role-playing of the Gods. The rituals were only seen by members of the priesthood.  550 BC Origin of Greek Theatre Greeks turned theatre into a way to worship their mythical gods. They turned rituals into dramas and festivals in honour of the Greek God of wine and fertility, Dionysus. A group of men called a 'chorus' performed these early plays and they gave commentary on the action in the performances. They were the beginnings of narrators in modern show...