What Did the Audience Do in Greek Theatre?

Greek Theatre|Theater

The ancient Greek theatre was a site of active audience participation. Not only did theatregoers watch the plays, but they also interacted with the actors and took part in the performance in various ways. The audience was an integral part of the theatrical experience and had a strong influence on the development of the genre.

The Role of Audience Participation
The audience at a Greek theatre was expected to be an active participant. The plays were often held outdoors, so it was not uncommon for spectators to shout out comments or heckle actors when they felt something wasn’t right. This type of interaction between the audience and performers created an atmosphere of energy and excitement that kept people coming back for more performances.

The audience’s responses also gave valuable feedback to playwrights, directors, and actors as they worked on their craft. Writers could use this feedback to tweak their scripts, while actors could use it to hone their delivery and timing. In this way, audience participation provided a crucial link between writers, players, and viewers that helped shape the development of Greek theatre.

Audience Engagement
In addition to offering commentary during performances, audiences were also known to engage in more direct forms of interaction with the actors. It was not uncommon for spectators to throw objects at performers if they didn’t like what was happening onstage.

They might also offer gifts or money as rewards for particularly impressive performances. This type of direct engagement between audiences and performers added another layer of excitement to each performance and helped keep audiences engaged throughout each show.

Cheering
One other way in which audiences participated in Greek theatre was through cheering during particularly exciting moments in a performance. Audiences would cheer loudly when they enjoyed a scene or when they supported a particular character or storyline development. This type of response would have been especially common during tragedies as audiences empathized with characters facing difficult situations onstage.

Conclusion
In summary, audiences at Greek theatres played an important role in shaping the theatrical experience through their active participation and engagement with performers throughout each show. From heckling actors to throwing objects onstage to cheering during exciting moments in a performance, spectators had a strong influence on how plays were performed and how genres developed over time.