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Greek Chorus

Imagine a group of actors singing and dancing together to tell a story! That's a Greek chorus!

Images

Eirene Philharmonic Orchestra performs on Humphreys

Eirene Philharmonic Orchestra performs on Humphreys

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Eirene Philharmonic Orchestra performs on Humphreys
Eirene Philharmonic Orchestra performs on Humphreys
Eirene Philharmonic Orchestra performs on Humphreys
Tennis Game by Greek Chorus
Eirene Philharmonic Orchestra performs on Humphreys
Eirene Philharmonic Orchestra performs on Humphreys
Greek chorus of children
Eirene Philharmonic Orchestra performs on Humphreys
Brianna explains the concept of a Greek chorus at Northern Voice 2009
Eirene Philharmonic Orchestra performs on Humphreys
Eirene Philharmonic Orchestra performs on Humphreys

Key Facts

Number of Performers
Between 12 and 50 people.
Performance Style
Sang, danced, and spoke lines in unison.
Key Accessory
Wore masks to show different emotions or characters.
Role in Plays
Commented on the action and provided background information.
Fun Fact
A chorus could be as large as a small school bus!

Meet the Super-Singers!

In ancient Greece, long, long ago, plays were super popular! But they had a special group of actors called the chorus. They were like a team of storytellers who sang, danced, and spoke together.

They didn't play one character; they were like the audience's guides, explaining what was happening or what had happened before. Think of them as the play's commentators, making sure everyone understood the story!

Where Did They Come From?

The chorus started way back in ancient Greece, over 2,500 years ago! They were a big part of the very first plays, like a special ingredient that made them exciting. At first, there might have been 12 people, but later, there could be as many as 50! That's more people than are in your whole class! They wore cool masks to show different feelings, like happy, sad, or surprised.

Why They Were So Cool!

The chorus was super important because they helped the audience follow the story. Sometimes, important things happened offstage, like a big fight or a secret meeting. The chorus would tell everyone about it! They also sang and danced, which made the plays feel like a big party. They could even change their masks to show different emotions, like a quick costume change for their faces!

How They Worked Their Magic

The chorus members usually sang or spoke their lines all together, like a big choir. They moved and danced in sync, making a beautiful picture. They wore masks that could be changed to show different characters or emotions. This helped the actors play many roles and also made the performances more dramatic and exciting for everyone watching. It was like a team effort to tell the best story!

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