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Epidaurus, Greece: Arthur Luehrmann sitting in the theatre for music & poetry contests n the 6th c BC a priest named Thespis detached one person from the chorus to be an actor. Aeschallus detached a second actor from the chorus. Long ago, the chorus and actors would perform on a threshing floor with the hillside rising around them where the viewers would sit. This developed into the theatre. The Theatre of Epidauros was well-known for its acoustics. The curve of the seats helps the echo effect. Wooden masks helped amplify the sound. All theatres face the sea, so they get the breeze which also helps the acoustics. The theatre of Epidaurus has 3 acoustic centers where the actors would stand so they could be heard throughout. The theatre holds 14,000 people. On request, Martha stood at one of the centers and gave some speeches from Arsenic and Old Lace.