Have you ever seen a movie or a play and thought to yourself “Man, that's great. I wonder what the backstory is behind all these actors and plays”? The history of acting and theater has evolved greatly since its creation and has a long and deep past. The history of acting and theater includes many components, including Greek/Roman theatre, medieval theatre, European/Renaissance theatre, Elizabethan theatre, and modern theatre. The history of acting begins in ancient Greece and Rome, where its deepest roots come from. In 700 BC, the first dithyrambs, or songs that tell a story and honor the gods, were composed in Athens, Greece. (“Story”) The dithyramb, composed of men and boys, told a story through various narratives while singing and dancing. ("History") In 600 BC, the Festival of Dionysius was founded in Athens, and plays honoring the gods are performed there. ("History") At the end of the performances, prizes and gifts were awarded to the best work performed by the actors, who in this period were only narrators ("History") In 530 BC, the first actor was added to the choir assembly. This is also the first time that an actor is on stage as a character, not as a narrator. ("History") A second later he is added by Aeschylus, the great tragedian, and wins numerous prizes in 474 BC ("History") In 468 BC, Sophocles adds a third actor to the theater and writes many influential plays, one of which is -Oedipus Rex. ("History") The actors also had a different name, which was the word "hypocrites". (“History2”) Originally, in the 5th century BC, there was no selection process for choosing actors. (“HIstory2”) Sophron's script begins by using mimes, which have become very popular and...... middle of paper...... different types of stage acting. Larque, Thomas. “Elizabethan Theater – A Lecture – by Thomas Larque (2001).” Elizabethan Theater - A Lecture - by Thomas Larque (2001). Np, 2001. Web. 22 October 2013. This source provided information on the acting era of the Elizabethan theatre. Robinson, Scott R. "European Drama in the Middle Ages." European drama in the Middle Ages. Np, 01 May 2002. Web. 16 October 2013. This source provided information on European theatre."Theatre in the Middle Ages." The Finer Times: Resources on war, crime and history. The Finer Times, 2013. Web. 18 October 2013. This information provides insight into theater in the Middle Ages. Trumbull, Eric W. "Introduction to Theater - Medieval Theater." Introduction to theater – Medieval theatre. Np, November 16, 2008. Web. October 18, 2013. This information provides information on the Medieval Theater.