Plot
Name the couple from Night Vision
Ayanna and Ezra
Name two of the four staging configurations covered in lecture.
Proscenium, Arena/Round, Thrust, Site-Specific/Found Space.
Define Comedy.
Confusion to Wedding OR the fortunes of the central character rise by the end of the play.
What is subtext?
meaning that is implied or even explicit that does not match (or complicates) the words being spoken
What does "theatron" mean
The Seeing Place
Name the play - "The stage is empty. We hear the sound of the door being locked, then the carriages as they drive away. It grows very quiet. In the silence, we hear the occasional sound of an ax chopping down the cherry trees."
The Cherry Orchard
Name 4 of the 7 Production Elements in Baraba Clayton's Lecture.
Scenery, Acting, Spatial Relationships, Costumes, Sound, Lighting, Audience
Define Tragedy.
Threat to Disunion OR the fortunes of the central character fall by the end of the play.
Define fatal flaw.
A tragic flaw or sometimes an error in judgement that contributes to a character’s downfall.
What is the purpose of theatre lighting?
It serves not only the important practical purpose of making actors visible on stage, but also the artistic purpose of conveying information and atmosphere about the dramatic action.
Much of the play’s comedy comes from invented identities (and mistaken ones)
The Importance of Being Earnest
Name the five tips Jen has given you when it comes to How to Read a Play.
Title, Character Descriptions/Breakdown, Setting, Playwright, Opening and Closing Moments
Define Tragicomedy.
A dramatic work that blends both tragic and comedic elements.
What is the fourth wall?
A theatrical convention that there is an invisible, imaginary “wall” that separates actors from an audience.
True/False - Aristotle was a big fan of subtext
Name the Playwright:
Complex characters that don’t fit easily into stock character categories
A dramatic structure that avoids onstage climaxes
Little evidence of the playwright’s point of view
A panoramic focus
Anton Chekhov
What is required for theatre to exist?
- Something to say
- Someone to say it
- Someone to say it to.
OR: ACTOR+IDEA+AUDIENCE
TIME
Imitates a specific work, person, or situation for comedic effect, often exaggerating certain characteristics.
Parody or Satire?
Parody
What is an epigram?
Epigrams invert traditional platitudes through clever turns of phrase.
Ex: “Ignorance is like a delicate exotic fruit; touch it and the bloom is gone.”
What type of theatre space surrounds the actors and makes it hard to hide anything?
Theatre in the Round/ Arena theatres
Name the playwright - "I believe in the American theatre. I believe in its power to inform about the human condition, I believe in its power to heal."
August Wilson
Name Aristotle's Six Elements of Drama
Plot, Character, Thought, Language, Music, Spectacle
● no attempt to hide theatrical “tricks”
● Actor knows the audience is present
● Audience focused
● passivity of the audience is challenged
Representational or Presentational?
Presentational
What is a dramaturg?
A dramaturg is a literary expert who helps theater productions by providing research, analysis, and context. They work with playwrights, directors, actors, and designers to ensure the production is accurate and high quality.
According to Elinor Fuchs, What are some Questions to Ask a Play? (Name two)
How does TIME behave on this planet?
What is the CLIMATE of this planet?
What is the MOOD on this planet?
What are the HIDDEN WORLDS on this planet like?
What patterns of sound make up the MUSIC of this planet?
What are the CLASS RULES of this planet?