Greek theatre originates in ancient Greece’s religious and mythological traditions, specifically in worshipping Dionysus, the god of wine, fertility, and revelry. The annual festival, Dionysia, celebrated with choral hymns called dithyrambs, gave rise to formal theatrical performances. The City Dionysia festival in Athens formalised competitions…
This encyclopedia includes biographies of some of the world’s most influential theatre practitioners, including directors, choreographers, actors, designers, acting and performance theorists, educators, and playwrights. From Euripides to Lin-Manuel Miranda, these are the people who changed the face of theatre.
This encyclopedia includes entries for over 300 theatre styles and genres from a range of historical periods, cultures and traditions. From Expressionism to Eclectic Theatre, from Participatory Theatre to Performance Art, from Naturalism to the Nativity Play, it should prove useful for students, teachers, and…
The major periods of Western theatre include ancient Greek and Roman theatre, Medieval drama, the Italian-born Commedia dell’Arte, the Elizabethan and Jacobean theatre of Renaissance England, Restoration drama, 19th century American vaudeville, French and English Melodrama, modern 20th century drama, and contemporary theatre. Eastern theatre forms through history include Noh theatre, Kabuki, Sanskrit theatre, Peking Opera and Bunraku to name just a few.
