Why are actors called "thespians"?

Question:People here are mostly right. Thespis is the origin yes. The important distinguishing fact is that the Greek theatre is characterized by its use of the Chorus! Before Thespis, that's all the theatre was. Just use of the chorus. Thespis was the first person to seperate himself from the chorus and portray a character, hence becoming the first actor. This is why actors are referred to as Thespians.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: People here are mostly right. Thespis is the origin yes. The important distinguishing fact is that the Greek theatre is characterized by its use of the Chorus! Before Thespis, that's all the theatre was. Just use of the chorus. Thespis was the first person to seperate himself from the chorus and portray a character, hence becoming the first actor. This is why actors are referred to as Thespians.

The first known actor was a fella called Thespis and so..................

It is derived from the Greek poet of the 6th century BCE called Thespis, who is the traditional father of Greek tragedy.

After the Greek chappie Thespis, first person known to have won the award as best tragedician at a drama festival, in the 6th Century BC.

because they made a name

In 534 BCE Thespis, developed tragedy by adding single characters who speak to tell a story. Before then, with as many as 15 others (such as Solon) who also contributed to acting, plays were performed more like opera, by the group of singers known as the Greek chorus.
The best thing about your question is that it alerted me to my mistake of thinking the word was thesbians.
So, the word came from a man's name and not from a place.
C. :)

I don`t know....the spians sounds a funny name for them really....

Pretentious people use the word. The rest of us are actors.

Because they are all gay.

1. Because calling them "hey you" offends them....

2. Because "Fred" is taken.

3. Because it makes them sound separate from us mere mortals. Anyone can act, but hey have you found any top notch "Thespors"? I think not!

Thesping is the absorption of another character in order to act. To totally step inside or outside of one's self to take on the absolute character of another human being. It may or may not involve fancy dress and hair pieces.

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