Elements of Drama 1
Creates conflict. It is the building suspense in a performance. As the audience anticipates certain outcomes in the plot, this builds.
What is tension?
Channelling the performer's energy to maintain concentration and engagement; assists the performer in the portrayal of believable characters.
What is focus?
The choices made about the clothing and accessories worn by a performer to convey period and character.
What is costume design?
The theatre practitioner and director who overhauled actor training in the late 1800s, encouraging practices such as emotional memory, objectives, subtext and the magic 'if'.
Who is Constantin Stanislavski?
The atmosphere created by this stage direction: ['Greensleeves' crackling from ice cream van]
What is unease/nostalgia?
The way in which the narrative is told. Can be linear (orientation, conflict, resolution), or non-linear.
E.g. the use of flashback, fast-forward, a play in 3 acts.
What is structure?
The feeling or tone of a performance.
Closely linked with everyday feelings such as pity, anger or desire. Created through other elements of drama or production.
What is mood?
The use of colour and light to help communicate environment, mood and/or atmosphere.
What is lighting design?
The creator of Epic Theatre who saw theatre as a forum for political ideas and believed that emotional attachment to characters caused the audience to become complacent in society.
Who is Bertolt Brecht?
The setting of Ruby Moon.
Full points: What is Flaming Tree Grove?
Half points: What is suburban Australia?
The 'when' - the period, the time of day, the hour or minute.
Can be manipulated to create contrast in a scene or to create robotic, stylised and non-naturalistic movements.
What is time?
Drawing the attention of an audience to certain elements of what is happening in a performance space.
The area in the middle of the stage, closest to the audience.
What is downstage centre?
A style of theatre that aims to assault the senses of the audience using movement, sound and lighting in order to "shatter a false reality".
What is Theatre of Cruelty?
The structure of Ruby Moon.
What is episodic?
The timing and pace of the drama. It is created through the beat or tempo of the performance. Should change throughout the piece.
Implies a greater meaning than the literal suggestion. Objects, colour, movement and costume can be used to manipulate this element.
What is symbol?
Theatrical equipment (e.g. curtains, flats, backdrops, platforms) used in a dramatic production to communicate environment.
What is set design?
Designed an actor training method focusing on the ultimate power of movement to communicate meaning. Said "The body knows things of which the mind is ignorant".
Who is Jacques LeCoq?
The references to this type of story show the fixation Australians have on perfection and 'good endings'.
What are fairy tales?
The highlight of the performance that creates instances of meaning. Can be demonstrated by various dramatic devices including tableaux, slow motion, repetition, lighting, and sound.
What is moment?
Can be verbal, vocal or non-verbal. Normally spoken, it can also be chanted or sung. It is the written script realized in performance.
What is language?
Stage design that places the audience in front of the stage with 3 walls on the other sides of the stage. Often includes a curtained front.
What is a proscenium arch theatre?
A style of theatre originating in Italy in the 16th century based around stock characters, improvised scenarios and satire.
What is Commedia dell'Arte?
The aim of Matt Cameron's script.
[Multiple answers]
To create empathy for the experience of grief.
To highlight the deeply felt fear of loss and the unknown in Australian suburban society.
To explore how tragedy can irrevocably change our perceptions of others.
To explore the blurred lines between fantasy and reality.