It is interesting that the term “Thespian” comes from the ancient Greek choir director “Thespis.” The antiphonal choirs (right and left) sang sacred hymns during religious rituals. One day, for some reason, Thespis decided to stand between the two choirs and recite monologues in between choruses and, Lo, the theater was born (and born out of religious ritual no less.) I recount this from memory. Actual accounts may differ significantly in details, but what do I care?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thespis
Thespian – 1670s, “of or pertaining to tragedy or dramatic acting,” from Gk. Thespis, poet of 6c. B.C.E., the traditional father of Greek tragedy. The names is lit. “inspired by the gods.” The noun meaning “an actor” is attested from 1827, from the adj.; short form thesp is attested from 1962.
To this very day Greek and Russian churches have a right and a left choir (whenever they can muster sufficient talent) and they sing antiphonally.
