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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. Wrote plays about the rugged lives of Irish peasants using their dialect; Riders to the Sea (1904) & The Playboy of the Western World (1907)






2. Writes the lyrics






3. Includes all other forms of drama - from the ancient ritual theatre of Africa to the traditional theatre of Asia to the shadow and puppet theatre of Muslim lands






4. French philosopher often called the Father of the Romantic movement; argued that people could find happiness in a 'state of nature' and that they should learn from nature rather than the artificial and corrupted teachings of society






5. Peking Opera was dramatically altered when:






6. Characterized by a light-hearted - fast-moving comic story - whose dialogue is interspersed with popular music; Guys and Dolls (1950)






7. The sung words






8. An early form of theatre; it used theatrical techniques such as song - dance - and characterization - but it was still firmly rooted in religion






9. One of the most valuable historical records of Indian theatre; an encyclopedic book of dramatic theory and practice; has 37 chapters and covers every aspect of classical Indian drama - also a treatise on dramatic theory and philosophy - states that t






10. 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






11. 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






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






13. Most famous Restoration-era woman to make her living by writing plays






14. People who dismissed Traditional African Theatre because it was so unlike anything they knew






15. Studied the history of class conflict






16. All lines are sung - usually to grand classical music; Madama Butterfly (1904)






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






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






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






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






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

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22. The time period that glorified humans' power to reason and analyze - a period of great philosophical - scientific - technological - political - and religious revolutions






23. The audience remains alienated from the performance so they could critically consider the play's themes






24. Composed and produced by Bob Cole - lyrics by Billy Johnson; story of a con man and used minstrel stereotypes and spoofed Chinatown; in one scene a young black man sings about he and his date were denied entry to a nightclub cuz He was black and this






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






26. A popular form of stage entertainment from the 1880s to the 1940s; included a dozen or so slapstick comedy routines - song-and-dance numbers - magic acts and juggling or acrobatic performances






27. 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






28. Russian playwright whose play The Lower Depths (1902) took look at people living in cellar of Moscow flophouse






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






30. Would agitate the masses - attack the spectators' sensibilities and purge people of their destructive tendencies; wanted stylized - ritualized performances - not realism - which they felt restricted the theatre to the study of psychological problems






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






32. Most famous of the absurdist playwrights; best considered a fatalist - although work is sometimes hilarious and can ask existential questions; Endgame (1957) Krapp's Last Tape (1958) and Happy Days (1961); Waiting for Godot (1953)






33. 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






34. Goethe's most famous Romantic play






35. One of the most valuable historical records of Indian theatre; an encyclopedic book of dramatic theory and practice; has 37 chapters and covers every aspect of classical Indian drama - also a treatise on dramatic theory and philosophy - states that t






36. Highlights the insanity of life in a comical way






37. Wrote plays about the rugged lives of Irish peasants using their dialect; Riders to the Sea (1904) & The Playboy of the Western World (1907)






38. Only cost a nickel






39. 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






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






41. Writes the music






42. Closely tied to ritual - and it uses color - dance - song - and movements to exaggerate - stylize - and symbolically represent life






43. 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

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






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






46. 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






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






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






49. Named new 'photographic' realism NATURALISM and his phrase 'slice of life' is quoted description of it






50. 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