Thespis

Thespis (flourished mid-6th century bc), Greek poet, who, according to tradition, is the founder of drama. Born in Attica, he wrote plays and won a prize for a tragedy about 534 bc. He is believed to have been the first playwright to introduce an actor, independent of the chorus, who delivered monologues and also engaged in dialogues with the leader of the chorus. The birth of drama is generally dated from this innovation. Thespis is also said to have introduced the use of pigments and masks to disguise the performers. The word thespian, meaning “actor,” is derived from his name.