<u><em>Orchestra </em></u>comes from an ancient Greek term that literally meant <em><u>dancing space </u></em><u>or </u><em><u>dancing floor</u></em>. In ancient times, it was <u>circular </u>and stated between the seated area of the theatre (<em>theatron</em>) and the building behind the stage (<em>skene</em>). <u>Orchestra was reserved for the chorus of the play </u>–<u> they would dance, sing and recite poetry in this place, sometimes interacting with the viewers</u>. In the earliest times, it was made out of mud, with no structural distinction, but afterward, it was designed as a <u>white marble curb in the shape of a full circle. </u>
The first <em>orchestra </em>terrace was probably in the famous Theatre of Dionysus at the slopes of Acropolis. Excavations of the site show that <em>orchestra </em>here was also circular at first, but was later reshaped at the theatre space changed its purpose.