Comedy Festivals

Greek Theater Influences on Western Theater

Many of the conventions that we take for granted in the Western theatrical tradition were first developed by the ancient Greeks -- the relationship of the audience to the play and its characters, the use of heightened language, the importance of individual actors dramatizing specific roles, and the use of scenery and special effects. We have learned from and still emulate many of their innovations.

Pajama Men Comedy Festival

The Pajama Men are a comedy duo from Albuquerque, New Mexico. There is no such thing as the Pajama Men Comedy Festival. There are, however, multiple annual comedy festivals, all over the world, in which the Pajama Men participate.

Masks From History

Trace the history and culture of any country and you are sure to find a significant function or purpose of masks. Throughout history masks have unified, divided, entertained and protected individuals and entire nations.

Greek Theater is considered to be the "mother" of the western theater tradition. The history of Greek Theater begins around the 5th century B.C. Few plays survive and the remains of theaters used to stage them can be found around Greece. Yet a rich legacy remains that is still studied in schools and in the theater and plays from the Greek masters are still performed for audiences around the world.