Greek theatre spaces, or theatron, were specially designed to facilitate the performance of ancient Greek plays. The theaters were built on the side of a hill, typically near a city or town, and generally faced south to maximize the amount of sunlight for the audience. The stage was located at the bottom of the hill with seating for spectators in tiers that rose above it, allowing all members of the audience to have an unobstructed view.
The theaters had certain features that made them unique from other theater spaces. They had a large skene (scaenae), which was the backdrop for plays and could serve as a dressing area for actors behind it.
It could also be used as a stage extension when needed. There were two doorways, one on either side of the skene known as parados and eisodos respectively, through which actors could enter or exit. In addition to this, there were two columns known as proskene at each end of the skene where actors could stand while performing their lines.
Theatron was usually built in an open-air space with no roof or walls around it, meaning that spectators were exposed to all types of weather conditions during performances such as wind and rain. This made it necessary for theaters to have some protection from these elements; this was done by having structures known as theatralomides placed around the perimeter of the theater. These structures acted as windbreaks and provided some shelter from precipitation.
Greek theaters also included an orchestra pit which was located at its center; this is where musicians and chorus singers would perform during plays. At one end was a rectangular altar where libations would be poured out before performances in honor of Dionysus, god of wine and theater in ancient Greece who was believed to watch over play performances. Additionally, there were two “paradoi” or side doors on either side of the orchestra which served as entrances/exits for actors during scene changes or entrances/exits during plays themselves.
Theatres in Ancient Greece often held up to 17000 people who would come from all over Greece to witness performances and competitions between playwrights; these theatrical events lasted multiple days with different plays being performed each day until one playwright emerged victorious with their play being declared best overall by judges chosen from among members in attendance. Today many Greek theatres have been restored such as those located at Epidaurus, Athens and Delphi.
In conclusion, Greek theatre spaces are called ‘theatron’ and have many unique features such as skenes, proskenes, theatralomides etc., that make them distinct from other theatre spaces today. They are open-air structures that are built on hillsides facing southwards and feature an orchestra pit at their center along with two paradoi on either side; they can hold up to 17000 people who come together to witness performances or competitions between playwrights which often last multiple days until one playwright is declared a winner by judges chosen among members present in attendance.