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33-704: The William Randolph Hearst Greek Theatre , known locally as simply the Greek Theatre , is an 8,500-seat Greek Theatre owned and operated by the University of California, Berkeley in Berkeley , California , United States. The Greek Theatre hosts The Berkeley Jazz Festival , pop , rock , and world music concerts, UC Berkeley graduation ceremonies, occasional addresses by noted speakers, and other events. Past speakers include President Theodore Roosevelt , William Randolph Hearst , Bishop Desmond Tutu , and

66-452: A seismic retrofit and expansion was designed by Palo Alto architecture firm, CAW Architects and constructed by Overaa Construction . Four new reinforced concrete columns were added and concealed in the original structure. The Greek Theatre officially opened on September 24, 1903, with a student production of The Birds by Aristophanes . However, while still under construction in May 1903,

99-424: A central arena surrounded by perimeter seating tiers. The seating tiers were pierced by entrance-ways controlling access to the arena floor, and isolating it from the audience. Temporary wooden structures functioning as amphitheaters would have been erected for the funeral games held in honour of deceased Roman magnates by their heirs, featuring fights to the death by gladiators , usually armed prisoners of war, at

132-410: A more substantial venue for University events, with funding secured from William Randolph Hearst . Architectural historian Joan Draper highlights the parallels perceived between Berkeley and Greek life by key figures involved in the project. Modeled after the theater at Epidaurus , Howard envisioned elaborate enhancements, including caryatids crowning the back wall and a double colonnade encircling

165-724: A number of annual events including departmental graduation ceremonies, the commencement convocation for graduating seniors, and the Bonfire Rally before the Big Game each year with Stanford . Charter Day ceremonies and inaugurations of University of California presidents and Berkeley chancellors have been held at the Greek Theatre with certain exceptions, such as the 1962 Charter Day ceremony at which President John F. Kennedy spoke—held at California Memorial Stadium for its larger capacity. Another Planet Entertainment became

198-756: A particular rock formation naturally amplifies or echoes sound, making it ideal for musical and theatrical performances. An amphitheatre can be naturally occurring formations which would be ideal for this purpose, even if no theatre has been constructed there. Notable natural amphitheatres include the Drakensberg Amphitheatre in South Africa , Slane Castle in Ireland , the Supernatural Amphitheatre in Australia , and

231-445: Is a striking feature, comprising a monumental doorway in an aedicule form with a Classic entablature supported by consoles, adorned with egg and dart molding. Secondary entrances are positioned at the sides of the stage. The backstage area is flanked by storage and utility spaces to the north and south. Access to the main theater is provided through a series of terraces and staircases made of aggregate concrete, located north and south of

264-475: Is at once impressive and graceful…The pure, simple, big classic forms harmonize exquisitely with the forms of hill and canyon." This blend of grandeur and elegance encapsulates the essence of the structure, reflecting the intellectual and democratic ideals of the early University. Notably, it was the first permanent outdoor theatre in the state, inspired by Greek prototypes. Referred to as "this noble ensemble of building, sky and garden" by architect Ernest Born ,

297-407: Is split, from bottom to top, into the guttae , the regulae , and the taenia . The frieze is dominated by the triglyphs , vertically channelled tablets, separated by metopes , which may or may not be decorated. The triglyphs sit on top of the taenia, a flat, thin, horizontal protrusion, and are finished at the bottom by decoration (often ornate) of 'drops' called guttae, which belong to the top of

330-517: The Dalai Lama . The Hearst Greek Theater was built in 1903 on the site of a rough outdoor bowl already in use as an amphitheater since 1894 known as "Ben Weed's Amphitheater". The project was championed by University of California president Benjamin Ide Wheeler . Its construction was financed by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst , after whom it was named. The Greek Theatre was

363-712: The Red Rocks and the Gorge Amphitheatres in the western United States . There is evidence that the Anasazi people used natural amphitheatres for the public performance of music in Pre-Columbian times including a large constructed performance space in Chaco Canyon , New Mexico . Entablature The structure of an entablature varies with the orders of architecture . In each order,

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396-445: The ancient Greek ἀμφιθέατρον ( amphitheatron ), from ἀμφί ( amphi ), meaning "on both sides" or "around" and θέατρον ( théātron ), meaning "place for viewing". Ancient Greek theatres were typically built on hillsides and semi-circular in design. The first amphitheatre may have been built at Pompeii around 70 BC. Ancient Roman amphitheatres were oval or circular in plan, with seating tiers that surrounded

429-421: The fascia in the architrave, which are flat horizontal protrusions, and the dentils under the cornice, which are tooth-like rectangular block moldings. The Corinthian order adds a far more ornate cornice, divided, from bottom to top, into the cyma reversa , the dentils, the ovolo , the modillions , the fascia, and the cyma recta . The modillions are ornate brackets, similar in use to dentils, but often in

462-404: The (by now demolished) Gibson Amphitheatre and Chicago International Amphitheatre . In other languages (like German ) an amphitheatre can only be a circular performance space. A performance space where the audience is not all around the stage can not be called an amphitheatre—by definition of the word. A natural amphitheatre is a performance space located in a spot where a steep mountain or

495-592: The 5th century and of staged animal hunts in the 6th, most amphitheatres fell into disrepair. Their materials were mined or recycled. Some were razed, and others were converted into fortifications. A few continued as convenient open meeting places; in some of these, churches were sited. In modern english usage of the word, an amphitheatre is not only a circular, but can also be a semicircular or curved performance space, particularly one located outdoors. Contemporary amphitheatres often include standing structures, called bandshells , sometimes curved or bowl-shaped, both behind

528-476: The Greek Theatre has long stood as a symbol of the University's ethos. While not initially part of the University's plans, it became the inaugural completed project of John Galen Howard 's architectural vision. Originally known as "Ben Weed's Amphitheater," after its discoverer, the site had hosted the annual Senior Extravaganza since 1894. President Benjamin Ide Wheeler advocated for its transformation into

561-434: The architrave. The top of the triglyphs meet the protrusion of the cornice from the entablature. The underside of this protrusion is decorated with mutules , tablets that are typically finished with guttae. The cornice is split into the soffit , the corona, and the cymatium . The soffit is simply the exposed underside. The corona and the cymatium are the principal parts of the cornice. The Ionic order of entablature adds

594-499: The area of the Roman Empire . Their typical shape, functions and name distinguish them from Roman theatres , which are more or less semicircular in shape; from the circuses (similar to hippodromes ) whose much longer circuits were designed mainly for horse or chariot racing events; and from the smaller stadia , which were primarily designed for athletics and footraces. Roman amphitheatres were circular or oval in plan, with

627-492: The bowl, leading to 19 rows of concrete benches that cascade down the slope, forming a semi-circle facing the elevated Classical stage on the western side. The configuration includes 11 aisles, with 9 entrances at the top and 11 at the bottom. The lowest tiers, nearest to the stage, boast 28 intricately carved stone chairs. Surrounding the stage are high walls with attached Doric columns and entablatures on three sides, enclosed at both ends by square piers. The central stage entrance

660-505: The central performance area, like a modern open-air stadium . In contrast, both ancient Greek and ancient Roman theatres were built in a semicircle , with tiered seating rising on one side of the performance area. Modern english parlance uses "amphitheatre" for any structure with sloping seating, including theatre-style stages with spectator seating on only one side, theatres in the round , and stadia . They can be indoor or outdoor. About 230 Roman amphitheatres have been found across

693-444: The ends of the roof rafters. The entablature together with the system of classical columns occurs rarely outside classical architecture. It is often used to complete the upper portion of a wall where columns are not present, and in the case of pilasters (flattened columns or projecting from a wall) or detached or engaged columns it is sometimes profiled around them. The use of the entablature, irrespective of columns, appeared after

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726-461: The exclusive concert promoter at the Greek in 2004. The Greek Theatre is a solid structure characterized by two main components: seating and stage . Positioned in a natural amphitheater just north of Bowles Hall , above Gayley Road, the site takes advantage of the hill's semicircular shape, creating an open-air space oriented towards the west. The seating area features a grassy mound at the top of

759-518: The first university building designed by John Galen Howard . Architect Julia Morgan assisted with the design. The design of the theater is based directly on the ancient Greek theater of Epidaurus . In 1957, a basement backstage area was added, which was designed by architect Ernest Born . It includes a large plaza flanked by two stage-level constructions. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. In May 2012,

792-648: The funeral pyre or tomb of the deceased. These games are described in Roman histories as munera , gifts, entertainments or duties to honour deceased individuals, Rome's gods and the Roman community. Some Roman writers interpret the earliest attempts to provide permanent amphitheaters and seating for the lower classes as populist political graft, rightly blocked by the Senate as morally objectionable; too-frequent, excessively "luxurious" munera would corrode traditional Roman morals. The provision of permanent seating

825-439: The original Greek. In 1957, Ernest Born introduced enhancements such as new dressing rooms, approaches, lighting, and a roof. These additions, discreetly integrated or separated from the main structure, complement rather than detract from its architectural integrity. Amphitheater An amphitheatre ( U.S. English : amphitheater ) is an open-air venue used for entertainment, performances, and sports. The term derives from

858-400: The proportions of the subdivisions (architrave, frieze, cornice) are defined by the proportions of the column. In Roman and Renaissance interpretations, it is usually approximately a quarter of the height of the column. Variants of entablature that do not fit these models are usually derived from them. In the pure classical Doric order entablature is simple. The architrave, the lowest band,

891-606: The seating area for 10,000 attendees, all to be clad in marble. However, financial constraints led to scaled-back plans, with private donors contributing inscribed marble chairs based on Greek designs. Collaboration between Howard and Julia Morgan on the plans, possibly including supervision of construction, further enriched the project's legacy. The Greek Theatre saw its first use, albeit incomplete, on May 16, 1903, hosting President Theodore Roosevelt 's commencement address. Formal dedication occurred on September 24, 1903, featuring selections from Aristophanes ' The Birds performed in

924-565: The shape of acanthus leaves. The frieze is sometimes omitted—for example, on the portico of the caryatides of the Erechtheum —and probably did not exist as a structure in the temple of Diana at Ephesus . Neither is it found in the Lycian tombs, which are reproductions in the rock of timber structures based on early Ionian work. The entablature is essentially an evolution of the primitive lintel , which spans two posts, supporting

957-636: The stage and behind the audience, creating an area which echoes or amplifies sound, making the amphitheatre ideal for musical or theatrical performances. Small-scale amphitheatres can serve to host outdoor local community performances. Notable modern amphitheatres include the Shoreline Amphitheatre , the Hollywood Bowl and the Aula Magna at Stockholm University. The term "amphitheatre" is also used for some indoor venues, such as

990-446: The stage. Notably, Walter Steilberg, the consulting engineer for the 1957 remodeling, reported the absence of evidence for steel reinforcing in the structure according to his findings. The Greek Theatre's architectural significance and its integration with the surrounding environment are integral aspects of its appeal. Echoing this sentiment, Howard remarked, "Combining as it does the monumental and festive character, this form of building

1023-400: The theatre hosted a graduation ceremony with an address by President Theodore Roosevelt, who was a friend of Wheeler's from New York . In 1967 The Grateful Dead played the Greek for the first time, and went on to play 29 total concerts by 1989. Over the years, the Greek Theatre has seen performances from hundreds of musical and theatrical artists. The Greek has also long been the venue for

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1056-662: Was no standard size; the largest could accommodate 40,000–60,000 spectators. The most elaborate featured multi-storeyed, arcaded façades and were decorated with marble , stucco and statuary. The best-known and largest Roman amphitheatre is the Colosseum in Rome , also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre ( Amphitheatrum Flavium ), after the Flavian dynasty who had it built. After the ending of gladiatorial games in

1089-612: Was thought a particularly objectionable luxury. The earliest permanent, stone and timber Roman amphitheatre with perimeter seating was built in the Campus Martius in 29 BCE. Most were built under Imperial rule, from the Augustan period (27 BCE–14 CE) onwards. Imperial amphitheatres were built throughout the Roman Empire, especial in provincial capitals and major colonies, as an essential aspect of Romanitas . There

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