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. Grew out of the theatre of Thespis in Ancient Greece; passed from the Athenians to the Romans to the medieval Europeans






2. One of the most influential thinkers of the Enlightenment - French poet - essayist - and playwright whose writing often got him in trouble with the church; built a theatre on his own estate so he could freely present his plays






3. Said that the free enterprise system is seriously flawed and is a cause of great human misery because it exploits the poor






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






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






6. Type of Islamic theatre - religious drama of Iran which allowed for actors - both professional and amateur - and has been performed in open-air playing spaces and on some occasions in specially constructed indoor stages for hundreds of years

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /var/www/html/basicversity.com/show_quiz.php on line 183


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






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






9. Goethe's most famous Romantic play






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






11. French director who stage play The Butchers (1888) with real sides of beef infested with maggots






12. Three parts of a Noh play






13. First part of a Noh Play - usually a chance meeting between two characters - introductions are made and the characters engage in a question-and-answer sequence that reveals the protagonist's concern






14. One of the most influential thinkers of the Enlightenment - French poet - essayist - and playwright whose writing often got him in trouble with the church; built a theatre on his own estate so he could freely present his plays






15. Plays without music






16. Suggests we are trapped in an irrational universe where even basic communication is impossible






17. Musicals that feature a particular band's songs






18. The sung words






19. Light opera - differs from 'grand opera' because it has a frivolous - comic theme - some spoken dialogue - a melodramatic story - and usually a little dancing; The Mikado (1885)






20. 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






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






22. Kabuki borrowed many of these movements to make Kabuki acting highly stylized and almost puppet-like






23. No spoken dialogue - entirely sung; comes from the Latin word 'work' and may have originally meant 'works in music' or 'musical works for the stage'; first operas were in Italy in late 1500s






24. The men who play female roles are called:






25. Three parts of a Noh play






26. Second part of a Noh play - protagonist performs a dance that expresses his or her concern






27. 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






28. Form of theatre that mixed traditional African ritual theatre and Western-style drama; encouraged African nationalism - glorified Africa's past - and advanced African customs - rituals - and culture; also dealt with serious political themes and appla






29. 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






30. Unstructured theatrical events on street corners - bus stops and anywhere else people gathered






31. A sudden - striking pose (often with their eyes crossed - chin sharply turned - and big toe pointed towards the sky) in Kabuki accompanied by several powerful beats of wooden clappers






32. French director who stage play The Butchers (1888) with real sides of beef infested with maggots






33. The realism of the play is expressed through lyrical language






34. Book - music - and lyrics






35. Built in Venice in 1637






36. Divided into fatalist - hilarious and existentialist






37. A big production number that usually receives a torrent of applause that literally stops the show






38. Have become living traditions that are handed down from father to son

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /var/www/html/basicversity.com/show_quiz.php on line 183


39. Musicals that feature a particular band's songs






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






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






42. Play that takes place in a mental institution - the audience sits on the stage with the actor-patients






43. Writes the book






44. Staged inexpensive - noncommercial productions of artistically significant plays in small - out-of-the-way theatres






45. Romanian-born French playwright best categorized as a hilarious absurdist; The Bald Soprano (1949) & Rhinoceros (1959)






46. Built in Venice in 1637






47. One of the most well-known Muslim Playwrights - who uses her plays not only to express herself but also to prompt discussions about such topics as violence against women - religious fanaticism - and female sexual desire






48. A period of licentious gaudiness inspired by the elaborate styles that Charles II brought with him from the French Court






49. Exposed the squalid living conditions of the urban poor and explores scandalous topics like poverty - venereal disease and prostitution; 'Sordid Realism'






50. Comic interludes performed during the intermissions of opera