Renaissance TheaterRenaissance Theater

66thth Grade Grade

Cultural ConnectionsCultural Connections

The RenaissanceThe RenaissanceThe Middle Ages is a time marked The Middle Ages is a time marked

by very little advancement in art by very little advancement in art

& science.& science.

““RenaissanceRenaissance”” means a rebirth or means a rebirth or renewed interest in the arts & renewed interest in the arts &

sciences.sciences.

The BeginningsThe Beginnings

�� Began in Italy in the 15Began in Italy in the 15thth Century.Century.

�� Eventually spread to other Eventually spread to other

countries in Europe.countries in Europe.

Italian ContributionsItalian Contributions

��Theater moved indoors.Theater moved indoors.

��Designers developed better Designers developed better

methods of lighting the methods of lighting the

stage.stage.

Italian ContributionsItalian ContributionsItalians used realistic, 3-dimensional scenery.

Which is 3-D Scenery?

Italian ContributionsItalian ContributionsProscenium Arch:

“Picture Frame”through which the audience views the show

TAKE A GUESS: Why did the TAKE A GUESS: Why did the Italians lower a curtain during Italians lower a curtain during

scenery changes?scenery changes?

A.A. They had to use actors to change the They had to use actors to change the

set and they didnset and they didn’’t want the audience t want the audience

to be confused.to be confused.

B.B. They had extra fabric, so they thought They had extra fabric, so they thought

theythey’’d make a curtain to use it.d make a curtain to use it.

C.C. Then the new scenery would be a Then the new scenery would be a

surprise to the audience.surprise to the audience.

Italian Renaissance DetailsItalian Renaissance Details

Elaborate elements:

Costumes

Music

Dance

The elaborate productions The elaborate productions evolved into Operaevolved into Opera

Commedia dellCommedia dell’’ ArteArte

�� Elaborate productions were for Elaborate productions were for

upper classupper class

�� Commedia dellCommedia dell’’ ArteArte entertained entertained middle & lower classmiddle & lower class

Commedia dellCommedia dell’’ ArteArte

��Wandering troupesWandering troupes

�� No scripts No scripts –– used improvisationused improvisation

�� Stock CharactersStock Characters –– well know well know types of characterstypes of characters

Stock Characters in Stock Characters in Commedia dellCommedia dell’’ artearte

Pantalone Harlequin

Which character would be Which character would be a a ““stock characterstock character””??

A.A. Harry PotterHarry Potter

B.B. BatmanBatman

C.C. NerdNerd

D.D. Edward CullenEdward Cullen

French RenaissanceFrench Renaissance�� French theater imitated the French theater imitated the

ItaliansItalians

�� Kings Louis XIV, XV, and XVI Kings Louis XIV, XV, and XVI

were huge fans of elaborate were huge fans of elaborate

theatertheater

�� CommediaCommedia--type groups type groups

entertained lower classentertained lower class

MoliereMoliere

Most famous French Renaissance Playwright

Wrote comedies for French royal court

Spanish RenaissanceSpanish Renaissance

Most popular types of plays:Most popular types of plays:

��Religious DramasReligious Dramas

��Adventure PlaysAdventure Plays

Which movie would people of Which movie would people of the Spanish Renaissance most the Spanish Renaissance most

enjoy?enjoy?

Lope de VegaLope de Vega

Spanish PlaywrightSpanish Playwright

Wrote over 700 playsWrote over 700 plays

(Also a soldier, (Also a soldier, explorer, sailor, & explorer, sailor, & priest)priest)

English RenaissanceEnglish Renaissance

Called the Called the ““Elizabethan AgeElizabethan Age””

Christopher Marlowe wrote Christopher Marlowe wrote tragediestragedies

Ben Jonson wrote comediesBen Jonson wrote comedies

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

English English PlaywrightPlaywright

One of the most One of the most

famous famous

playwrights in playwrights in

historyhistory