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The Theater of Epidurus was the largest theater in the Ancient Western World. There weren14,000 seats and perfect acoustics.

Theatre was believed to be “ medicine to the people. “ Money that was collected from patients in hospitals, was used to build the theater.

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Old plays could be revived. They were performed so many times that they got boring and had to be revised over and over again.

Comedy was booming but had to be changed to stay interesting. After Alexander the Great died, New Comedy was born.

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Earliest performances were religious ceremonies or rituals, often asking the gods for something.

Sword swallowing, juggling, and tight rope walking began and became very popular performances.

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Puppets were used to portray characters, ventriloquism began in some areas as well.

1629 women were outlawed from performing.

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Most popular forms of Sanskrit performances were dancing and religious rituals.

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Most plays were mystery, comedy or scripture based performances.

Cycle dramas were performed over several days. 40 or more act plays were popular. Most cycles dramas were performed by men and boys that were of the working class with no experience. Actors would be fined for forgetting a line. Most cycle dramas were bible stories.

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Men and boys were the only ones allowed to perform. Women could attend and watch performances but could not participate in performing.

Plays were usually held in the afternoon to take advantage of the natural lighting. Snacks and beverages were sold at these performances and if an audience didn’t like a performance, they could throw their snack and beverages at the actors.

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More American family life/ romance and hardships were portrayed in plays and musicals.

Autobiographical plays and musicals were popular and became very famous.

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Old and new plays and musicals are  revised and performed.

Large ensembles of singers and dancers are used in today’s Broadway performances