Turkish theatre has a rich history that shows the cultural mix between the East and the West. Originating to the Ottoman Empire, Turkish theatre has traditions of religious storytelling, folk performances and Western European influences. One of the first forms of Turkish theatre was Ortaoyunu. This was an interactive, improvisational theater performed in open air spaces. The performances contained dances and acting fully improvised, and the actors wore exaggerated costumes and masks. Ortaoyunu was extremely popular for religious holidays or festivals and would bring the large community together to watch.