BREVE HISTORIA DEL TEATRO

Key Concepts

Theater, dramatic art, rituals, storytelling, acting, set design, costumes, music, lighting, genres, discourses, artistic expression, temporary artistic event, ancient ceremonies, religious rites, masks, tragedy, comedy, medieval theater, Elizabethan theater, dramatic text, conflict, acts, scenes, pictures, playwright, director, rehearsals, set design, costumes, lighting, sound, dramaturgy, direction, acting, function, public.

Origins of Theater

• Ancient Roots: Theater evolved from ancient ceremonies and rituals involving music, songs, and dance, often as spectacles of devotion to gods. These traditional or sacred manifestations are considered the origin of theater in almost all civilizations.
• Early Examples: In Africa, stories were told around fires with reproduced sounds and disguises. Similar celebrations and religious rites occurred worldwide, using church and temple steps as early stages.
• Official Birth in Greece: The history of theater officially places its birth in ancient Greece, specifically Athens, between the 5th and 6th centuries BC. Ceremonies honoring Dionysus, the god of vegetation and wine, gradually transformed into theater.
• Greek Theaters: Cities built structures specifically for these rites and representations. Early performers covered their faces with mud or saffron, later replaced by masks, which became the universal symbol of theater (laughing and crying masks).

Evolution of Theater Through History

• Ancient Egypt (2000 BC): Records exist of dramatic representations about the death and resurrection of the god Osiris, performed with masks.
• Ancient Greece: Festivals honoring Dionysus featured chants and dances narrating the lives of gods. Four main formats existed: satirical drama and tragedy for adults, and mime and comedy for children. Actors were exclusively men and used masks.
• Medieval Europe (11th Century): The Christian church used theatrical representations to teach doctrine. Performances moved from inside churches to exterior steps and eventually to the streets, incorporating comic elements and picaresque stories, known as medieval theater.
• Pre-Columbian America: Mayan, Aztec, and Inca civilizations created theater with religious meanings or to express their connection to the world.
• Elizabethan Theater (Late 16th Century England): Became popular during the reign of Elizabeth I. Unlike stages for the wealthy in Europe, Elizabethan theater catered to the general public. William Shakespeare, author of "To be or not to be, that is the question," was a prominent figure. The Globe Theatre was a notable venue for Shakespeare's plays.
• Global Diversity: The video acknowledges that theater evolved uniquely in various regions, including America, Asia, Europe, and Africa, contributing to a diverse universal history of theater.

Elements of a Dramatic Text

• Story and Conflict: Theater begins with a story written as a dramatic text, revolving around a central conflict that drives the characters' actions.
• Classic Structure: The dramatic text can follow a classic structure, divided into acts, scenes, and pictures.
  • Acts: Related to the development of the main conflict (e.g., three acts: presentation, development, resolution).
  • Scenes: Internal divisions of acts, marked by character entrances and exits.
  • Pictures: Represent changes in scenery or set design.
• Conflict as Opposing Forces: Dramatic works focus on a conflict where opposing forces are observed. This conflict can arise from characters wanting the same thing or opposing each other's desires.
• Conflict Resolution: The conflict is generally resolved through the actions of the characters.
• Presentation of Conflict: The conflict can be presented in various ways, such as complex relationships between characters or the experience of a single character. It can involve the opposition of reality with the characters' ideas and their efforts to overcome obstacles.
• Work Termination: The work concludes when the protagonist either overcomes or fails to overcome the obstacle.

Roles and Processes in Theater Production

• Joint Experience: Theater is a collaborative art form requiring multiple roles.
• Key Roles:
  • Playwright (Dramaturge): Writes the dramatic text.
  • Director: Coordinates and guides the creative contributions of the interpreters.
  • Interpreters (Actors): Perform the roles in the play.
• Rehearsals: The work process to mount a play.
• Additional Contributions: Set design, costumes, lighting, and sound are added during the work process. Music, audiovisual projections, and other resources may also be incorporated.
• Core Elements: The basic core of creation involves dramaturgy, direction, and acting.
• Function: Each representation of the work is called a function.
• Public: The audience is essential, giving meaning to the entire theatrical experience.

Synthesis/Conclusion

Theater, originating from ancient rituals and evolving through various cultures and historical periods, is a dynamic art form that uses storytelling, acting, and diverse artistic elements to create a unique and temporary experience. The dramatic text, built around conflict and structured in acts and scenes, serves as the foundation for the collaborative process involving playwrights, directors, actors, and designers. Ultimately, the presence of the public completes the theatrical event, making it a meaningful and shared experience.