Genres
Focuses on life’s sorrows and difficulties. Usually ends with a catastrophe or dramatic event. Ex. Titanic, Romeo and Juliet
Tragedy
To speak loudly and clearly so you can easily be heard by the audience.
Project
A stage with seating on only ONE side. This stage type has a "picture frame" bordering the stage and an apron at the front of the stage.
The 5 points of Dramatic Structure (in order):
Exposition
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Resolution/ Denoument
The problem in the story:
Conflict
A mix between tragedy and comedy. Either a tragic story that contains comedic elements or a serious play with a happy ending.
Tragicomedy
To turn your body slightly towards the audience, so you can more easily be seen by the audience
Cheat Out
This stage has audience completely surrounding the stage. Sometimes called "Theatre in the round".
Arena Stage
The framework in which the story is built upon:
Plot
Upstage, downstage, center stage, stage right, stage left, downstage left, upstage center, etc. are examples of:
Stage Directions
A sub-genre of comedy—ridicules the vain and foolish. Poking fun at a theme or idea presenting it in a foolish, ridiculous way. Ex. Scary Movie
Satire
A frozen, silent picture made with the body:
Tableau
Thrust Stage
The moment of greatest Tension in the story.
Climax
The backstage area to the right and left of the acting area (where an actor would wait to come on stage when they heard his/her cue):
Wings
A sub-genre of comedy—often involves sexual mix-ups, mistaken identity, disguise, broad verbal humor and physical comedy. Exaggerated characters in improbable situations. Ex. She’s the Man, Twelfth Night
The location where the audience sits in a theatre is known as the _________________.
House
The front area on a proscenium stage that is still visible and available for acting even when the curtain is closed:
Apron
A _______________________ plot gives multiple pathways to get from point A to point B.
Non-Linear
A group of actors working together on a production or acting activity:
Ensemble
Usually has stereotypical characters representing extremes of good and evil. Contains aspects of both comedy and tragedy. Ex. Soap Opera’s
This type of comedy is highly physical and often crude in nature:
Low Comedy
During Shakespeare’s time, stages were ____________________ (on a slope towards the audience). Today, our audiences are on the slope:
Raked
A plot device that starts in the middle of the action:
In Media Res
The planning out of movements for actors on stage. When and where the actors move on stage:
Blocking