Theatre Basics & Terms
What is the written text of a play called?
Script
It is okay to run backstage if you're late for an entrance.
➡️ False
Who wrote Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet?
William Shakespeare
What type of theatre is created spontaneously without a predetermined script?
Improvisation
Uta Hagen was best known for her work in what area?
Acting
What do we call the person who writes a play?
Playwright
What should you wear to protect your eyes when using certain tools?
➡️ Safety glasses/goggles
What famous theatre is associated with Shakespeare?
The Globe Theatre
What Italian theatre style uses masks, physical comedy, and stock characters?
Commedia dell'arte
What is one major goal of Hagen's approach to acting?
Truthful/believable behavior
What is the planned movement of actors on stage called?
Blocking
What department creates the physical environment of the play?
Scenic/Set Design
What type of stage extended out into the audience at the Globe? Usually has an audience on Three Sides?
Thrust Stage
What theatre style attempts to make audiences think critically about social and political issues?
Epic Theatre
What should an actor understand about a character to create a believable performance?
Their circumstances, relationships, objectives, obstacles, and motivations
What is the area backstage where actors wait before entering the stage?
Wings
What are objects used by actors during a performance called?
Props
Why were Elizabethan performances generally held during the daytime?
They relied on natural light
What style of theatre attempts to portray everyday life and believable human behavior?
Realism
Why is observation important to an actor?
Actors can observe real human behavior and use it to create believable characters.
What is the term for the meaning or emotion underneath the words a character says?
Subtext
Why should you never walk underneath scenery that is being moved or lifted?
➡️ You could be struck, trapped, or seriously injured
What is an aside?
A comment intended for the audience or another character that the other characters supposedly don't hear
Ancient Greek theatre was performed in large outdoor amphitheaters and often included a group of performers who commented on the action, provided background information, and represented the community. What was this group called?
The Chorus
Which acting teacher developed a famous set of questions that actors can use to investigate their characters?
Uta Hagen