Project 1: Greek Stage Devices of Pollux

1. Periaktoi:

A periaktoi is an ancient Greek theatre device used on stage during performances. It is usually a three sided triangular device that has a different scene on each side of the device and rotates for quick and easy change between scenes. If many periaktoi are lined in a row it appears as a wall of scenery that can easily be switched to the next wall of scenery.

http://www.hstech.org/howto/carpentr/flats/periak.htm

2. Ekkyklema:

A ekkyklema is an ancient Greek theatre device used on stage during performances. It was a device on wheels that was rolled out, literally a cart, that showed a changing in scenes. Due to the fact that they weren't allowed to show violent or gory acts on stage the ancient Greeks would paint the scenarios on these carts to show the audience. Because of this the Greeks would paint the outcome of a battle or event on the ekkyklemma to show the audience what has occurred.

http://www.encyclo.co.uk/define/ekkyklema

3. Theologeion:

The theologeion was another device used by the ancient Greeks during theatre performances. A theologeion was a raised platform on stage from which the gods spoke from. When the word is broken down theo means "god" and logeion means "word." A theologeion could have also been a high upper stage or balcony.

http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/greektheater/tp/0711307Arist_tragicterminology.02.htm

4. Pinakes:

A pinakes was a device used by the ancient Greeks on stage during theatre performances. A pinakes was a device, usually temporary, placed between slots on stage to depict certain events. They were painted panels often being scenic placed between openings called thyromatas. These panels being temporary so they could be changed throughout the play.

http://www.whitman.edu/theatre/theatretour/glossary/glossary.htm#p

5.Thunder Machine:

A thunder machine was also another stage device developed by the ancient Greeks to use during stage performances. A thunder machine is simply a machine developed in a way to make sounds that sound the same or similar to actual thunder. Many times a simple drum would be used to mimic the noise or a piece of metal with smaller metal pieces inside of it shaken up.

http://www.music.vt.edu/musicdictionary/textt/Thundermachine.html

6. Charonian Steps

Charonian steps were another device developed in the time of ancient Greek theatre during performances. The Charonian steps were stairs that led from the stage to the orchestra or came out of the middle of the orchestra. The characters that would emerge from the Charonian steps were usually characters of the underworld such as ghosts.

http://books.google.com/books?id=3DGXKt0IpIMC&pg=PA398&lpg=PA398&dq=charonian+steps&source=bl&ots=GVF2qrDp6r&sig=GqIBDHHuri37xDrQ85mAF1XdOWA&hl=en&ei=D8xoS7XhJ8ng8QbwiYm1Bw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CCIQ6AEwBw#

7. Mechane

A mechane was another device used by the ancient Greeks during theatre performances. A mechane was device made of wooden beams and pulleys designed to lift an individual into the air representing flight. The machine was especially used to bring characters acting as gods on the stage from above. This term comes from the Latin phase deus ex machina meaning "god out of the machine."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechane

8. Skene

A skene was a device used in ancient Greek theatre during performances that transformed over time. The skene was originally a simple room behind the acting area that actors change masks and clothes in, but over time it became the background of the acting area itself. Its transformed into a two story building with columns, three doors, flanked with two wings, and decorated with paintings of gods and other characters.

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/547420/skene

9. Orchestra

The orchestra was used in ancient Greek theatre during performances. The orchestra, which means dancing space, was normally circular where the chorus would sing and dance and interact with actors on stage. The earliest orchestra's floor was simply made of hardened dirt and range about sixty feet across. At the center of the orchestra was the thymele which was an alter.

http://academic.reed.edu/humanities/110tech/Theater.html

10. Parodos

The parodos was another part of ancient Greek theatre used during and for performances. The parodos, or parodoi for plural, which literally means passage way was used by actors and the chorus during the play to enter and exit the area. The audience also used the parodoi to enter and exit the theater before and after plays.

http://academic.reed.edu/humanities/110tech/Theater.html