Parodos
Parodos (also parode and parodus; Ancient Greek: πάροδος, "entrance," plural parodoi) is a term used in the theater of ancient Greece, referring either to a side-entrance, or to the first song sung by the chorus after its entrance from the side wings.
Side-entrance to the theater
The parodos is an entrance affording access either to the stage (for actors) or to the orchestra (for the chorus) of the ancient Greek theater. The parodoi are distinguished from the entrances to the stage from the skene, or stage building. The two parodoi are located on either side of the stage, between it and the theatron, or audience seating area. The term eisodos is also used.
Entrance song of the chorus
"Parodos" is also the term for the ode sung by the chorus as it enters the orchestra. Usually the first choral song of the drama, the parados typically follows the play's prologue.
References
- Leacroft, Richard; Leacroft, Helen (1988). Theatre and Playhouse: An Illustrated Survey of Theatre Building from Ancient Greece to the Present Day. London: Methuen. p. 6. ISBN 0413529401.