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. Comic operas that mixed popular songs of the day with spoken dialogue






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






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






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






5. 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






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






7. 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






8. Elaborate geometrical designs were used for these roles which included supernatural beings - warriors - and bandits; the color of the make-up indicated the character's personality






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






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






11. Elaborate geometrical designs were used for these roles which included supernatural beings - warriors - and bandits; the color of the make-up indicated the character's personality






12. Attacked the evils and restrictions of society; tried to reveal the higher reality of the unconscious mind with fantastic imagery and contradictory images; performances were often violent and cruel as they tried to shock the audience into the realiza






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






14. More serious plot and theme; West Side Story (1957)






15. This happened for the first time during the Restoration






16. 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






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






18. One of the most popular Kabuki and Bunraku playwrights - who - like Shakespeare - wrote crowd-pleasing plays that combined poetry and prose in dramatic tales of comedy - tragedy - love - and war






19. The first all-black show to pay at a top Broadway theatre






20. 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






21. Highlights the insanity of life in a comical way






22. 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






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






24. A permanent - professional theatre outside NYC; founded in 1947 by Margo Jones; stage new plays alongside commercial hits and historical plays; appeal to the intellectual audiences that Hollywood seldom serves






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






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






27. Attacked the evils and restrictions of society; tried to reveal the higher reality of the unconscious mind with fantastic imagery and contradictory images; performances were often violent and cruel as they tried to shock the audience into the realiza






28. Highlights the insanity of life in a comical way






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






30. Included comic scenes - dance interludes and sentimental ballads all based on white stereotypes of black life in the South






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






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






33. Most famous English actress - born into poverty - started out singing in taverns and selling oranges in theatres - became the King's mistress






34. 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






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






36. First female theatre manager in London; was also an actor and singer; managed first theatre to have a box set; Olympic Theatre in London






37. 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






38. A dialogue that captures the incoherence - broken language - and pauses of modern speech; usually marked by surreal distortion and impending danger; from writing of Franz Kafka






39. Third part of a Noh play - the protagonist appears as a new self - and the cause of torment is resolved






40. Result of western influence - a toned down version of Kabuki - told stories of everyday life - particularly those of women - women played women's parts (whereas Kabuki was all male)






41. No protagonist; deals with a family of characters who tell many stories at once; the fact that characters on stage take no action may inspire audience members to be motivated for the opposite in real life






42. Feature the work of a director-choreographer






43. Filled with characters who cannot resist an argument about social issues; no character is exempt from talking politics and theorizing about moral - artistic or religious reform






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






45. Theatre was not seen as being of value to society - so plays were not an important part of:






46. Estrangement; essentially the alienation effect






47. Writes the music






48. A German poet - director and playwright who challenged traditional ideas about theatre; became a communist after watching policement shoot 4 unarmed civilians; The Life of Galileo (1938) - Mother Courage and her Children (1939) & The Caucasian Chalk






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






50. Three parts of a Noh play