What Is a Greek Theatre Building Called?

Greek Theatre|Theater

A Greek theatre building is called a theatron. It is an open-air structure that was used for the performance of plays in ancient Greece. The theatron was typically built into a hillside and was made up of three main parts: the orchestra, the skene, and the auditorium.

The orchestra was a circular area at the centre of the theatre where actors performed their plays. This area had no roof and was surrounded by other structures such as altars and statues.

The skene, which literally translates to “tent”, was a rectangular building behind the orchestra that served as a backdrop for plays. It had two or three levels and could be used to store props and costumes. Lastly, the auditorium was an area in front of the orchestra where spectators sat to watch performances.

The seating arrangement in Greek theatres could vary depending on the size and design of each theatre. However, it was usually divided into three sections: The first section at the bottom closest to the orchestra contained reserved seats for VIPs or dignitaries; The second section contained regular seating for citizens; And lastly, there were benches at the top which were reserved for poorer citizens who could not afford to pay for regular seating.

The design of Greek theatres has influenced many modern theatres around the world today. Many theatres still use similar structures such as an orchestra, skene, and auditorium as well as a tiered seating arrangement based on social status. The ancient Greek theatre is also renowned for its acoustics, which allowed voices to project clearly even from far away distances in large amphitheatres.

In conclusion, a Greek theatre building is called a theatron. It consists of three main parts: an orchestra, skene, and auditorium along with tiered seating arrangements based on social class. This ancient structure has left its mark on many modern theatres around the world today due to its impressive acoustics and iconic design features.