ROMAN THEATER

What is Roman Theater all about?
- Roman theatre was a massive, public form of entertainment that served as a central pillar of civic life in Ancient Rome. This started in 3rd Century BC, and had varied, and interesting art forms such as festival performances of street theatre, 
acrobatics, the staging of comedies of Plautus, and the high verbally elaborated tragedies of Seneca.

The Hellenization refers to the profound process of cultural assimilation and adaptation of Greek dramatic traditions, themes, and architectural styles into Roman society, primarily beginning in the 3rd century BCE, had an intense and energizing effect on Roman Theater and encouraged the development of Latin literature.

According to Roman historian Livy, the ETRUSCAN actors in the 4th century BC, were the 1ST Experienced Theater Actor. While in 240 BC, Roman drama began with the plays of Lifirst Vius Andronicus. By the mid 4th century AD, 102 out of 176 Ludi Publici were dedicated to theater, aside a considerably Lower Number of Gladiators and Chariot Racing Events.

Greek theatres had a Great Influence on The Roman's Theater too, The Truimvir Pompey was one of the permanent (non-wooden) theatres in Rome, whose structure was somewhat similar to the Theatron of Athens.

The building was a part of a Multi-use Complex that included a Large Quadriporticus (a columned quadrangle). Directly behind the Scaenae frons (an elaborately decorated background of theatre stage). There were rooms that were dedicated to the Exposition Art and other works collected by Pompey Magnus which were located along the stretch of Covered Arcade.

The Usual Themes for Roman Theater were:
- CHARIOTS RACE, GLADIATORS
- PUBLIC EXECUTIONS

What they loved to watch is Combat and admired Blood Sports and
Gladiator Competition. The Christians however opposed the Barbaric Themes of the plays and closed down all theaters.

Comedy plays were popular too in the Roman Theater from 350 to 250 BC
and Women were allowed to perform on stage.


Now we're done with the Roman Theater, let's now move onto Famous Filipino
Playwrights.


FAMOUS FILIPINO PLAYWRIGHTS

What is Famous Filipino Playwrights all about?
- Famous Filipino Playwrights are the creative minds who document Philippine history, culture, and social struggles through stage performances. Their work typically explores themes of nationalism, social injustice, and the everyday lives of Filipinos.


These playwrights laid the foundation for Philippine drama by using performance as a tool for both culture and revolution:

- Famous Filipino Playwrights
1. Francisco Balagtas y de la Cruz (1788–1862)
- Born on April 2, 1788 in Panginay Bigaa Bulacan.
- Died on February 20, 1862 at the age of 73, caused of pneumonia.
- He was also known as Francisco Baltazar.
- known as the "Father of Tagalog Poetry," he wrote the epic "Florante at Laura". 
- youngest among the four children of Juan Balagtas, a black
smith, and Juana de la Cruz.
- Studied Parcohial School Bigaa and later in Manila.
- Worked as a House Boy in Tondo, Manila.
- Learned to write poetry from José de la Cruz (Huseng
Sisiw)
- Maria Asunción Rivera was the person he served as the muse for his
future works.
- referenced in Florante at Laura as “Celia” and “Mer”.
- He was imprisoned when he wrote the Florante at Laura.
- Events on the poem were meant to parallel about his own
situation.
- Published Florante at Laura upon his release.
- He served as the assistant to the Justice of Peace and
later in, 1856, as Major Lieutenant.

2. Severino R. Reyes (1861–1942)
- Often called the "Father of the Tagalog Zarzuela". His masterpiece, "Walang Sugat" (No Wounds), is a musical play that depicted the bravery of the Katipuneros during the Philippine Revolution.
- son of Rufino Reyes and Andrea Rivera, Reyes.
- Born in Sta. Cruz, Manila on February 11, 1861.
- Died on September 15, 1942.
-  he studied philosophy in University of Sto. Tomas.
 June 14, 1902 staged his play walang sugat ( NO WOUNDS), set against the historical events in bulacan during the philippines revolution
- on 1923, Reyes co-founded the Liwayway, Published a
series of fairy tales titled Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang.
- Lola Basyang was based by the author about a neighbor named Gervacia de Guzman.
 Died on september 15, 1942 
- was under Japanese Regime.
- Severino Reyes' masterpiece was Walang Sugat.
- Injustice of Spanish Role and The Cruel Faith of The Young Lover.


- Famous Filipino Directors
3. Dr. Ricardo G. Abad (1946–2023)
- Born in Manila on August 10, 1946 of parents from
Cavite and Camiguin.
- Graduated at the Ateneo de Manila.
- Obtained a Fulbright Grant to finish a doctorate in
sociology at Fordham University in New York.
- A full time Faculty, Deprartment of sociology and
anthropology: Artistic Director, Tanghalang Ateneo.
- Metrobank Network of Outstanding Trachers Pathways/ANI, Ateneo de Manila University Role Players, Theaters for Life Social Weather Stations.
- been involved as Actor and Director in over 1200
productions doing sociological work ad teacher,
researche, and editor.
- Also directed professional companies like Teatro
Pilipino and Tanghalang Pilipino of the cultural center of
the Philippine, and the Metropolitan Theater.
- Theater Guild
- Productipns were classics of weatern drama but in
terms of a Filipino and Asian Sensibility, like
shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

4. Salvador F. Bernal (1945–2011)
- Father of theater design in the philippines
- Born in 1945 to a Family that ran a Terno Shop.
- Elevate it to an Art Form.
- Nothwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA,
practiced, and handled courses in the Arts and Craft of
Theater Design.
- He had designed more than 250 productions in ballet,
thaeter, and film.
- National Artist Awardee.