Movies and Theater History
Movies and Theater History
A theater is a building where people can enjoy live performances or movies.
Although both are popular forms of entertainment, the word "theater," used
alone, often refers to live performances. Movie theaters, stage theaters, and
theaters of all types can be found in countries around the world. They are a
source of entertainment that anyone can enjoy, regardless of gender or age.
Ancient Theater
Theaters can be traced back as far as 600 B.C. to Ancient Greece, which was
famous for both its dramas and tragedies. The Greek theater was home not only to
performances, but also festivals, gymnastics, politics, and religious rituals
and events. Rome adopted the idea of theater from the Greeks around 300 B.C.
Their plays were often acted out by slaves and were held in immense theaters
designed to hold large numbers of people. In addition to plays, Roman theater
included acrobatics, dancing, and other forms of entertainment.
Medieval Theater
During medieval times in Europe, theaters were considered a sin and were not
allowed; however, the Renaissance heralded a return to the arts, including the
theater. Plays during that time were often performed on a daily basis and
included themes of morality, and stories were universal. During this time
theaters and performances began to divide based on class. Public theaters were
available for the general population while private theaters were for people of
the upper classes.
Modern Theater
During the 1600s, for fear of public disruption and disorder, theaters were
banned in England for roughly 18 years. As a result, many of the public theaters
in England were destroyed. The Restoration period saw the return of theater to
England, and, with it, stage machinery and scenery made their debut. During the
18th and 19th centuries, theaters increased in both size and popularity, as did
dramas and melodramas. Modern theaters evolved when interests expanded to newer
forms of entertainment, including vaudeville and film. The first movie theaters
were built in the late 1800s, although it was not until 1902 that the first
permanent theater for movies was built.
Eastern Theater
Outside Europe, other countries developed unique forms of theater. For example,
the Japanese had created the Kabuki Theater. This type of theater began in the
1600s and featured all-male actors. Another example is the Sanskrit theater in
India, which is one of its earliest types of theater.
Theater Information
Theaters, whether movie or traditional, are typically one or more stories high.
Seating on these various levels are arranged for maximum viewing of the stage or
screen. In addition, American theaters must be made in a way that they are
accessible to persons with disabilities. The theatergoers of today enjoy operas,
musicals, and dramatic performances at traditional theaters, as well as
concerts, and dance performances. Movie theaters feature a variety of movie
types, ranging from kids' movies and cartoons to thrillers and horror films.
Even performances from traditional theaters are filmed and played in certain
movie theaters.
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Local and Theater Links: This link opens up
a page that lists both local and theater links on the Pocket Community
Theater website. The page includes links to local organizations, arts,
media, nearby theaters, theater resources, and other areas of interest to
the people of Hotsprings, Arizona.
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Web Resources for Studying:
Grammar and Writing, Math, and Science resources are listed on this page to
aid high school students with their studies.
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Thespian Resources: Young thespians who
click this link will find a list of links related to Oregon theater featured
on the Portland Christian Drama website.
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Resources for Play Publishers and Writers:
At this link, members and visitors to the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
Drama Association can find a list of links to publications, play scripts,
and the history of theater.
- Links to
Theaters and Home Theater Seating: On this
page, visitors will primarily find links relating to ballet and dance
theater. The page also includes a link to a home theater seating site
featuring information on theater history.
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Fine Art Links: Links
to local and state fine art organizations are listed on this page of the
Amarillo ISD Fine Arts Department website. Both students and visitors to the
site will find that the page also includes a variety of additional links to
arts, dance, music, and theater resources.
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About the Theater:
Readers interested in learning more will find theater-related information,
including terminology, and links to theater-related resources. The page,
which is a part of the Connecticut Critics Circle website, also includes an
article about duties of being a director.
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Links to Databases, Home Theater Seating, and Other
Theater-Related Sites: Readers researching
television, film, and cinema will find a selection of resources to databases
and links on this page of Earl Gregg Swem Library.
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Acting and Theater-Related Links:
Interested readers may click on this link to the David Devaney website for a
list of acting and theater-related links.
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Play and Theater Resources:
On this page, readers will find a list of links to theater-related websites.
In addition, readers will find a smaller list of links to bookstores that
sell plays.
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Healthy Home Theater Seating:
Click on this link to read a post about a home theater seating set that is
meant to be comfortable and healthy.
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Home Theater Seating and Furniture:
People interested in creating a home theater will find links to websites
that offer furniture and theater seating.
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Home Theater Seating Store is 2012 Product of the Year:
On this blog, readers will find a post on the Theater Seat Store being named
as the 2012 Product of the Year by Electronic
House Magazine.
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Setting Up Home Theaters and Movie Seating:
This is a link that discusses what to consider and look for when setting up
a home theater. For example, the article covers what to consider regarding
the television type and size and the type of speakers for the sound system.
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The Art of Home Theater Seating:
Click this link to read an article on seating choices for one's home
theater. The article also discusses designing one's home theater.
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Consumer Electronics and Home Theater Seating
Resources: Open this link to view a list of
businesses that sell consumer electronics. This Yahoo! Small Business page
also lists links to subcategories, including a link that leads to home
theater seating.
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Stereo and Home Theater System Guide:
Review this guide on setting up a home theater system by clicking on this
link to Angie's List. The guide discusses what is in a home theater system,
setting it up, and also offers tips to consumers.
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Movie Seating and Accessibility for Disabled Persons:
On this page, readers will find a list of NYC movie theaters and the
accessibility information for each. Information on accessible seating,
restrooms, and routes to upper levels is included on the page.
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Seating Chart: People
planning a visit to the Patriots Theater in the War Memorial can review the
seating chart by clicking on this link to the State of New Jersey Department
of State website.
- Indiana
University Cinema: View the Indiana
University Cinema page by clicking on this link. The page lists featured
series, upcoming films, and links to podcast episodes.
- Upcoming
Screenings: Open this link to see what the
upcoming films are at the Bill Cosford Cinema. People can view the dates and
times by moving their mouse over each movie poster.
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Theater UCF Seating Charts: The seating
charts on this page are for Blackbox Theater, Mainstage, and the Edyth Bush
Theatre.
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Experimenting with Reserved Movie Seating:
Click this link to read about Alamo Drafthouse Cinema's experiment involving
theater seat reservation. The article discusses customer reactions and what
the change would mean for the theater.
- Spring
Movies at Tate Student Center: Students who
click this link can review the movies playing at the center as well as their
dates and times. Admission fees for students and non-students are also
listed.
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Used Movie Seating:
The page associated with this link is a want ad placed on the Cinema
Treasures website. The ad is for used movie theater seats.
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Major Studio Sued for Non-Compliant Stadium-Style Movie Seating:
The article associated with this link reviews a Justice Department lawsuit
against a major movie theater. The lawsuit was for the theater's failure to
make stadium style seating accessible to disabled patrons.
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Home Movie Seating That Feel Like Real Theater Chairs:
This page discusses home theater chairs that is as comfortable as the
seating at movie theaters.
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Home Theater Seating and System Setup:
Open this link for a brief write-up on sound processing and setting up a
home theater system.
- Aggie Cinema -
Theater Information and Movie Seating:
Click this link to learn about upcoming films, the MSC Box Office, and
Rudder Theater Complex.
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Movie Seating Chart: On this page,
movie-goers will find a link to open a PDF file of the theaters seating
chart. The page also includes information about seating capacity and special
seating requests.
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Movie Nights in the Student Union Theater:
This link opens a movie night announcement page. It includes movie times,
admission, and location information.
- Apollo
Theater: People can get news and updates
for the Apollo Theater by clicking on this link. The page also includes a
brief theater overview and lists movies that are currently playing.
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