Final answer:
The Catholic Church facilitated the rebirth of theatre during the Medieval era through liturgical plays, which eventually moved to public spaces, developing into traveling Pageant Wagon tours. New forms of performance emerged that were independent of church liturgy, leading to the evolution of Mystery cycles and morality plays. Later, the Renaissance sparked renewed interest in classical arts, leading to the construction of theatres imitating Roman styles and the professionalization of the craft.
Step-by-step explanation:
How the Catholic Church Supported the Growth of Theatre
The Catholic Church played a pivotal role in the revival and growth of theatre from around 900 CE, following a period during which public theatrical performances were banned for being considered immoral and lewd. As the overseeing institution during the decline of the Roman Empire, the Church initially discouraged secular theatre but found a way to preserve dramatic storytelling through the institution of liturgical drama. These performances started within the church, particularly during Easter services to act out the story of the Resurrection. Over time, these liturgical plays expanded beyond the church walls into public venues like courtyards and town squares, evolving into forms known as Pageant Wagon tours which would travel through towns and villages performing staged religious stories.
By 1200, religious dramas began to develop independently of church services, creating a new form of theatre that used local languages and moved performance from clergy members to laymen. Events like the Feast of Corpus Christi catalyzed this movement, providing an annual opportunity for the extensive staging of plays that illustrated Bible stories—these are known as Mystery cycles and Morality plays. Such developments not only allowed theatre to survive but thrive, as it adapted to changing languages, audiences, and societal norms, laying the groundwork for the Renaissance and the era of professional theatre.
During the Renaissance, humanistic values influenced the arts significantly, and theatre benefited from renewed interest in classic texts and archetypes. This was enhanced by the influx of classical knowledge following the fall of Constantinople when scholars brought with them ancient texts. With this, theatres such as the Teatro Olimpico and Teatro Farnese imitated classical Roman theatre forms. Royal patronage, like that of King Louis XIV, led to the establishment of large public theatres and the inclusion of women as performers, signifying the growing acceptance and importance of theatre in society.