Intro to Theatre Final

downstage

upstage

wings

onstage

offstage

grand curtain

legs

borders

“open” yourself up

“share” the space

“close” yourself off

scenes

give and take

cross

blocking

movement of characters on stage

“closed”

cover

counter

apron

butt joint

carpenter’s square

casters

chalk line

counter weight system

stippling

tapping a brush in small motions instead of swiping

dry brushing

applying a little bit of paint on a dry brush

sponge

using sponge to “sponge” paint on

spatter

flicking or spraying paint, especially flicking off brush

cyclorama

drop

dutchman

wagon

proscenium arch

Hollywood flat

grand drape

scene shop

green room

ground plan

fly rail

spike and spike tape

table saw

stage manager

chalk line

exposition

reveals antecedent action

comedy

general term, any play with a happy ending, even if the play isn’t funny

drama

general term, serious subjects, character development and theme are more important than plot

melodrama

serious subjects, plot is more important than character and theme, mysteries and suspense thrillers

sentimental comedy

“sit com”, situation comedy, lighter subjects treated with humor

farce

low comedy, plot is important, bawdy jokes, physical humor (chases, disguises, talking at cross on purpose, slapstick)

theatre of the absurd

meaningless of nature (absurdity), contains elements of other types

comedy of manners

high comedy, cleverness and witty dialog of upper class characters

satire

high comedy, poke fun at social customs and current fashions

parody

specific form of satire, very familiar play/song/movie is recreated in humorous way, poking fun at original

musical comedy

spoken dialog, songs, dances, possibly only American contribution to dramatic literature

social drama

serious, examines current social problems

naturalism

“realer than life”, “slice of life”

realism

what’s in the movies, familiar

theatricalism

pure theatre

expressionism

uses theatrical techniques to reveal emotions of characters

classicism or neo-classicism

imitates Greek or Roman classics

romanticism

strong emotion, projects perfectibility of mankind or yearning for simpler days of the past, optimistic, hopeful

sentimental drama

“soap opera”, serious subjects treated seriously, heavy emphasis on character emotion, plot and characters are more important than theme