Arts >> Theater >> Stage Acting

What Does it Mean to Be a Thespian?

You have seen thespians in movies, on television and on stage. Brad Pitt, Whoopi Goldberg and Jason Bateman are all thespians. A thespian is a dramatic actor or actress.
  1. Origin of Drama

    • A dramatic actor is also refered to as a thespian.

      Drama originated in Greece. A poet named Thespis was the first person to use actors alongside the chorus and its leader.

    Thespis

    • Thespis lived in the 6th century BC. None of his plays survived through the centuries, and even the titles are unreliable.

    Connotations

    • The word "thespian" is not used very often in modern times. Today it is often used facetiously or in a joking manner to indicate that someone is over dramatic.

Stage Acting

Related Categories