Test your basic knowledge |

Theatre Basics

Subject : performing-arts
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Life has no purpose and they confused and antagonized audiences by refusing to adhere to a coherent set of principles - mirroring the madness of the world






2. First part had musical numbers with little comic dialogue; second part was full of songs - dance and standup routines; third part featured a one-act play






3. Big-time vaudeville who performed a series of lavish musical reviews on Broadway






4. Argued that the prime function of playwrights is to expose the social and moral evils of their time






5. Uses rock music - the rock and roll of the 1950s (Grease) - the psychedelic rock of the 1960s (Hair) or contemporary pop and rock (Rent)






6. Musicals that are mostly singing and have less spoken dialogue; similar to operattas - but thier tone is often much darker and more dramatic






7. Africa's greatest living playwright; born in Nigeria; plays combine symbolism - mysticism - beautiful dialogue - and they make strong political points; plays are deeply rooted in African myths - dance - and rituals but also influenced by Western dram






8. The first theatre in the world to be lit with electric lights






9. A robust and spectacular version of Noh; named after the characters for 'song' - 'dance' - and 'skill'; created by a woman named Okuni - owner of a brothel






10. Writes the lyrics






11. History plays about major political events of the past - domestic plays about the loves and lives of merchants and townspeople - and dance-dramas about the world of spirits and animals






12. Writes the lyrics






13. Studied the history of class conflict






14. Wrote 'high comedies' which were cerebral socially relevant plays that had an intellectual scope so vast they forced audiences to reassess their values; Man and Superman (1903) & The Quintessence of Ibsenism (1891)






15. Improved the daguerreotype and created modern photography; was also an English physicist






16. Winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature (2005); The Dumb Waiter (1957)






17. Big-time vaudeville who performed a series of lavish musical reviews on Broadway






18. Showed middle-class characters finding happiness and true love (Enlightenment)






19. The men who play female roles are called:






20. Plays about the issues of the day that were in Manhattan neighborhoods






21. Contemporary form of Sanskrit Theatre - dramatized version of the Hindu epic poems Ramayana and Mahabharata






22. Used giant puppets and actors to enact parables denouncing the Vietnam War and materialism






23. Musicals with a particularly well-developed story and characters






24. Musicals that are mostly singing and have less spoken dialogue; similar to operattas - but thier tone is often much darker and more dramatic






25. Wooden clappers used in Kabuki






26. Greatest of the Sturm und Drang playwrights; was also a critic - journalist - painter - biologist - statesman - poet - novelist - philosopher - scientist - and the manager of the Duke of Weimar's playhouse






27. Any artist or work of art that is experimental - innovative or unconventional; some styles would be symbolism - expressionism - futurism - Dadaism - surrealism - and absurdism






28. During the Enlightenment there were revolutions in: ... which had a profound effect on theatre






29. Holds that human beings are naturally alone - without purpose or mission - in a universe that has no God






30. A medley of the show's songs played as a preview; usually the beginning of a traditional musical; lets the audience know that it's time to stop talking because the performance is about to begin






31. Plays about the issues of the day that were in Manhattan neighborhoods






32. Goethe's most famous Romantic play






33. First part had musical numbers with little comic dialogue; second part was full of songs - dance and standup routines; third part featured a one-act play






34. One of the most famous Sanskrit dramas - a love story in seven acts written by the playwright Kalidasa






35. Three parts of a Noh play






36. Smaller - less expensive alternative experimental theatres; flourished in lofts - basements - coffeehouses and any found space usable






37. Contemporary form of Sanskrit Theatre - dramatized version of the Hindu epic poems Ramayana and Mahabharata






38. Elmer Rice; about a man named Mr. Zero Who is fired from his job and replaced by an adding machine






39. Type of theatre greatly influenced by Buddhism and Shinto; originates in ritual






40. Writers who felt science was not adequate to describe the full range of human experience - and their writings stressed instinct - intuition - and feeling






41. A synthesis of music - dance - acting - and acrobatics; it was first performed by strolling players in markets - temples - courtyards - and the streets






42. The first modern musical; a melodrama about black magic staged in NYC in 1866






43. Would be removed in the box set to give audience a real life look into the scene






44. A repetition of the song - sometimes with new lyrics - sometimes with the same lyrics but with new meaning or subtext in order to make a dramatic point






45. A program of sketches - singing - dancing and songs pulled from previous sources






46. Told stories about common people who felt grand emotions and suffered devastating consequences (Enlightenment)






47. Thought that inner truths could be hinted at only through symbols; sought to replace the specific and concrete with the suggestive and metaphorical; usually had little plot or action and tended to baffle the audience






48. Highlights the insanity of life in a comical way






49. Six characters take on life of their own when the playwright fails to complete the play in which they were supposed to appear






50. Play by Wole Soyinka; celebrates Nigerian independence but also warns against returning to Nigeria's violent past







Sorry!:) No result found.

Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?


Let me suggest you:

Browse all subjects

Browse all tests

Most popular tests



Major Subjects

Tests & Exams


AP
CLEP
DSST
GRE
SAT
GMAT

Browse all subjects

Browse all tests

Most popular tests