Roman Plays
A festival in honor of the god, Jupiter
Ludi Romani
Choice, urbane, talented, and witty playwright who wrote to entertain; his plays most resemble musical comedies
Plautus
The theatron
Cavea
The rich upper class
Patricians
Two groups responding to each other in song, suggesting dramatic interaction with extended musical passages; presented by the clergy
Liturgical Drama
Wagons that could be rolled into a town or nearby field; served as a stage, contained scenery, and had backstage area for costume changes
Pageant Wagons
Traveling performers; comedic skits, acrobatics, dance, simulated battles, etc.
Troupes
Improvised bits of comedy that featured stereotypical characters, used masks and stock costumes
Atellan Farce
Playwright that stressed characterization, subtlety of expression, and elegant language; combined elements from two Greek plays to create a new work
Terence
The skene
Scaena
Ordinary citizens with limited political voice
Plebeians
Drama that was transformed from Latin to everyday speech
Vernacular Drama
Pageant wagons that moved from locale to locale
Processional Staging
Religious guilds or clubs that presented cycle plays to display their trade or craftsmen abilities
Confraternities
Comedies that dealt with Roman issues
Fabula Togata
Studied literary criticism and explored philosophies; noted orator; All his plays were based on Greek myths; Utilizes a chorus, emphasizes violent spectacle with climactic onstage moments
Seneca
A large raised stage in front of the scaena
Pulpitum
Half of the population who served the upper classes
Slaves
Stories connected to biblical figures and the lives of saints
Mystery Play
Small scenic mansions side by side
Stationary Staging
Producers that supervised the mounting of plays on wagons
Pageant Master
Tragedies with Greek subjects
Fabula Crepidata
The head of a troupe who was usually the leading actor
Dominus
Passageways that came from under the seating area and led to the orchestra and stage
Vomitoria
Controlled large areas of land and protected less wealthy land owners
Lords/Counts
Short dramas presented as part of a sequence
Cycle Play
A scenic structure depicting some locale needed for a biblical tale
Mansion
Tragedies that are purely Roman
Fabula Praetexta
Actors; 6 male members
Historiones
Semi-circular space rather than full circular
Orchestra
Lesser lords with lands; agreed to provide military service in exchange for protection.
Vassals
A play that teaches a moral lesson through the use of allegorical characters
Morality Play
A central open space specific to Medieval theatre
Platea
Placed great emphasis on religious festivals; chariot races, gladiatorial battles, prizefighting, and other competitive sports
Etruscans
Peasants who were attached to the land and required to work; minimal payment
Serfs
Theatrical piece staged between courses of a banquet either in farcical, religious, or musical forms
Interlude