Ancient Greek theatre buildings were the first permanent structures built for theatrical performances. They were the precursors to today’s modern theatres and had several distinct parts, each with an important purpose.
The skene was a large building at the back of the stage that served as a backdrop for plays. It was divided into different areas, with one area acting as a storage space for props and costumes, while another housed the dressing rooms of actors. The skene could also be decorated with painted scenes to create a more dramatic effect.
In front of the skene was the orchestra, which was an open-air space reserved for viewers and performers alike.
This area was circular in shape and surrounded by tiers of seating, allowing audience members to view the performance from all sides. It was also used as a place for actors to perform their lines, which is why it is sometimes referred to as an “acting circle”.
The entrance to the theatre building was located at the side of the orchestra and consisted of two or three rows of stone steps leading up to it. These steps provided access to both audience members and performers alike and allowed them to enter into the theatre from either side.
Theatron, or seating section, was located behind the orchestra and extended in two or three tiers up towards the back wall of the skene. This section housed most of the audience members who viewed performances from here and could be filled up with thousands of people depending on its size.
Paradoi, or passageways, were located on either side of the theatre entrances and connected them with other parts of ancient Greek cities, such as markets and temples. These passageways served as access points for both actors and spectators alike.
Ekkyklêma, meaning “rolling out” in Greek, was a mechanism used to roll props onto stage during theatrical performances. It consisted of two large wooden wheels connected by an axle that allowed props or scenery to be moved onto stage quickly without having to manually carry them on.
Conclusion:
The Ancient Greeks created some remarkable theatrical buildings that are still studied today. These buildings had several distinct parts that each played an important role in creating a successful performance experience: a skene, orchestra, entrance, seating section (theatron), passageways (paradoi), and ekkyklêma mechanism.