Meditation One : My Theater Background

I thought that I had a fairly good grasp on theater history. I know that it stems from Greek festivals to honor the god Dionysus, the myth of Thespis, etc. In junior high and high school, I ended up taking 4 years of theater – much of my classes were devoted to some form of theatrical history. I also know a bit about theater, simply from a performer’s standpoint.


After being in class for a day, I realized that from the time after the Greek festivals up until Shakespeare’s time, I’m a little fuzzy on what happened in the theater. I know I’ve learned bits and pieces, but I can’t readily recall much of what I’ve learned. I think I know most about the costuming and casting of Shakespeare’s time – women weren’t allowed on stage, patrons gave the theater their old garments and things like that.


I’ve read a few plays from earlier Greek writers and I’m familiar with many of Shakespeare’s works. My primary reason for taking this class is to learn about what went on in between. The history I know about theater is already a rich history, I know that the parts I’m missing will be interesting as well.