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. Brought Western-style theatre to Africa to dramatize Bible stories in order to win converts






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






3. 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






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






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






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






7. 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


8. Three parts of a Noh play






9. Studied the history of class conflict






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






11. 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






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






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






14. 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






15. 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)






16. French physicist - mathematician - and philosopher - expressed the essence of Romanticism






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






18. 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






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






20. 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






21. 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






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






23. This happened for the first time during the Restoration






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






25. The orchestrated melodies






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






27. Holds that human beings are naturally alone - without purpose or mission - in a universe that has no God; not a negative - for without God humans can create their own existences - purpose and meaning






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






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






30. Characters were not individuals but types; standard roles included scholar - lover - hero - maiden - old woman - coquette - virtuous wife - and acrobatic warrior-maiden






31. An extreme form of realism; an acurate 'documentary' of everyday life - including its seamy side






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






33. 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


34. 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






35. 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






36. Three parts of a Noh play






37. Sarcastic label of Scribe's plays; the sympathetic protagonist suffers at the hands of an evil antagonist in the course of intense action - suspense - and contrived play devices; ending is always happy and the loose ends are neatly tied up






38. Holds that human beings are naturally alone - without purpose or mission - in a universe that has no God; not a negative - for without God humans can create their own existences - purpose and meaning






39. Book - music - and lyrics






40. Plays without music






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






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






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






44. Highlights the insanity of life in a comical way






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






46. 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


47. Only cost a nickel






48. Type of theatre that grew out of ritual - incorporated acting - music - storytelling - poetry - dance - costumes - and lots of masks to create a theatre that combined ritual and ceremony with drama






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






50. Writes the lyrics