Comprehensive Exam TH-210 Phyllis Wong

The Empty Pot is a story that reminds us that telling the truth is a courageous act.

True

Catharsis is a greek word meaning:

purgation of emotions particularly pity and fear.

What is the main conflict in "Antigone"?

Clash between divine law and human law

The concept of ___________ refers to the over-inflated self confidence and arrogance that befalls tragic heroes, such as Creon.

hubris

What is the MAIN dramatic function of the chorus in Antigone?

To offer commentary and insight on the action from the people

Aristotle claimed that theatre came from a ritual called the dithyramb which was a hymn that was sung at the altar of the God ____________.

Dionysus

In Greek times, theatre was inherently political and meant to question and challenge status quo.

True

Tragedy is derived from a Greek word that means "goat song."

True

Satyr plays are the highest form of play and use elevated language and gestures.

False

Ritual is:_________________

all of these.

What is the word that means "frailty" in Greek that means "to miss the mark." It can also be known as a fatal flaw.

hamartia

Aristotle deconstructed plays into 6 elements and they are:

plot, character, thought, diction, spectacle and song

What is Theater/Theatre?

all of these

Aristotle argued that a tragedy should feature a character of ____________ who experiences a downfall due to an error or frailty.

nobility

Legend has it, ____________ stepped away from a chorus and played an individual role and spoke to the chorus and became a character. This is how the role of an actor developed.

Thespis

Greek comedy was lude, bawdy and often included phallic symbols.

True

Theater is unique because it is the only art form where the medium and the subject are exactly the same.

True

Athens was an ancient democracy that considered which group of people as citizens:

men

Match the following playwright's with their signature style:

Euripedes

The Activist - wrote strong

Aeschylus

The Warrior

Sophocles

The Wise

Athens won the Peloponnesian War.

False

What famous line does Antigone utter in defense of her actions?

"An unjust law is no law at all."

Antigone does not want Ismene to tell anyone that she is burying Polyneices.

False

When Creon captures Antigone, she is terrified and denies everything.

False

Who convinces Creon to change his mind about Antigone's sentence?

Teiresias

Which of the following was NOT a subject that Greek Tragedies covered:

Depictions of the mundane in daily life

Costumes do not typically change the way actors carry themselves on stage.

False

Fill in the blanks with the best pair of words:

This is an example of a costume _______________ and designers often include fabric ________________ as well. They show these items to the stitchers and cutters so that they can help realize the design.

rendering, swatches

A designer's analysis of the script is typically as detailed and comprehensive as an actor or director's.

True

When designing costumes, costume designers must take into account:

All of these

Please match the correct definition with the style of set design:

Realism

Suggeste or Selective Realism

Expressionism

Symbolism

Sets are lifelike imitations of real life

Sets are not entirely lifelike because some elements are stylized

Sets may reflect the mind or thoughts of one of the characters

A certain piece of scenery, a costume or light may represent the essence of the entire environment

This type of stage is called a:

thrust

In the song "The Room Where It Happens," Aaron Burr sings, "No one really knows how the game is played / The art of the trade / How the sausage gets made." What is the metaphorical meaning behind the phrase "the room where it happens" in this context?

It represents the inner circle of decision-making and negotiation in politics.

In the song "My Shot" from the musical Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton sings, "I am not throwing away my shot." What does the phrase "not throwing away my shot" symbolize in the context of the song at the opening of the show?

It represents Alexander Hamilton's determination to seize opportunities and make the most of his chances.

Music can evoke specific emotions, heightening the audience's emotional engagement with the characters and the storyline. It can intensify dramatic tension or create a sense of anticipation, which influences the perception of time within the narrative.

True

Hamilton is a play that blends the following types of music EXCEPT:

folk

True/False. Sound designers play an insignificant role in theatre.

False

The production of Hamilton that you watched was done on a:

proscenium arch stage

This image is an example of a:

light plot - it shows where lights will hang

In Hamilton, which character is the only one who is able to match Alexander Hamilton in his wit and rap during the cabinet battle?

Hercules Mulligan

Jefferson

In theatre, the TD turns the drawings, models, sketches and other ideas into fully realized sets, lights, and costumes. TD stands for:

Technical Director

The MOST CENTRAL role for the lighting designer is to _______________________________.

evoke mood

True/False. A set designer creates detailed sketches, plans and models that align with the director's vision and the overall theme of the production.

True

This set is an example of:

expressionism

Match the correct type of makeup with its purpose:

Straight Makeup

Character Makeup

Doesn't change the actors looks but attempts to make their features more 3D and more visible under bright theatrical lights

Attempts to transform the way an actor looks

The items circled in RED are examples of what two things:

set prop & hand prop

This is an example of what kind of stage lighting:

Motivated light

How does dramatic criticism differ from reviews?

It provides scholarly analysis and interpretation

According to Goethe's formula for analysis, what is the main purpose of asking the question "What is the artist trying to do?"

To determine the direction of your analysis and identify the artist's intention

Aristotle deconstructed plays into 6 elements and they are:

plot, character, thought, diction, spectacle, and son

All statements are true about themes except for the following:

Themes are usually directly and explicitly stated.

Which term describes the phenomenon where individuals in a group are more likely to adopt emotional and irrational behavior, often influenced by the behavior of others in the same group?

Group Dynamics

The emotional pressure that audiences feel to stand and applaud after watching a show is called:

Ovation Inflation

What term describes the psychological process by which audience members accept the fictional world of a play or performance, despite knowing that what they are witnessing is not real?

Willing Suspension of Disbelief

Presentational theatre differs from representational theatre in that:

Actors openly acknowledge the audience and may invite participation.

What term describes the imaginary boundary that separates the actors and the audience, particularly in representational theatre?

Fourth Wall

What is the primary goal of reviews in the context of theatre?

To tell people whether or not a show is worth watching.

The following are all questions of play analysis according to von Goethe EXCEPT for:

What is the central conflict driving the plot?

In the National Theatre in London's version of A Midsummer Night's Dream, which of the following descriptions most accurately exemplifies how the character of Puck is portrayed?

With a modern, edgy twist, incorporating acrobatics and tattered street wear.

What unique directorial choice was made in the National Theatre's production regarding the relationship between Titania and Oberon?

Their roles were reversed, with Titania seeking to enchant Oberon.

In the National Theatre in London's version of A Midsummer Night's Dream, the stage and style of theatre would best be described as:

Arena & Immersive Theatre

True/False. In the National Theatre in London's version of A Midsummer Night's Dream actors did not break the fourth wall.

False

In the National Theatre's version of A Midsummer Night's Dream, how was the transformation of Bottom interpreted visually on stage?

The actor playing Bottom wore donkey ears to symbolize the transformation.

In Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, there are 3 groups of "people." Please match the characters with their correlating group:

Theseus

Bottom

Titania

Athenian Nobility

The Mechanicals

Fairy

Which of the following phrases was coined by Shakespeare?

Cruel to be kind

What sound does iambic pentameter imitate?

heart beats

In Shakespeare's time, all the roles including female roles were played by men and young boys.

True

What is the correct spelling of this fellow's last name:

Shakespeare

How does Dr. Phyl want you to format the title of plays that you are writing about?

Italicize the title of the play

Which slang or conversational/colloquial terms should you avoid when writing your performance critique? Select ALL that apply.

"totally"

"slay"

"cool"

"good job"

"on point"

any cuss words unless they are in the play itself

"vibe"

What are some BEST practices you should consider before submitting a paper for grading? Select ALL that apply.

Read through the ENTIRE assignment and RUBRIC to know what is expected of you.

Run your paper through a spell checker before submitting.

Schedule an appointment with your professor or TA's to make sure you are on the right track.

Check that you have your paper formatted correctly.

Proofread your paper ALOUD before submitting

Have a peer review your paper.

Which statement provides the most SPECIFIC and INFORMATIVE analysis of the actor's portrayal of Romeo in this adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet?

In this scene, Romeo holds Juliet's gaze with intensity and desire. He positions his body lower so that he has to gaze up at her while at the same time grasping her hand tightly. His body and his facial expression communicate both a desire for Juliet and a recognition of his own position as an outsider.

Which of the following critiques MOST SPECIFICALLY DESCRIBES this actor's portrayal of anger?

The actor's face is contorted in a blend of frustration and fury. Her eyebrows are furrowed, her lipstick is smudged, her hair is disheveled and her the veins on her hands are popping out. Her mouth is growling in frustration. She looks like she is shooting daggers from her eyes and her hands look like claws as if she's ready to strangle someone.

Identify the statement that offers the MOST SPECIFIC description and analysis of the costume design of the Schuyler sisters in Hamilton.

The Schuyler sisters all wear similarly designed dresses with tight bodices and full skirts but in mint green, bright peach and yellow cream respectively. This style of dress hearkens back to women's fashion in the 18th century and suggests a level of elevated social status and formality in their characters.

Which elements should you include in your performance critique? Select ALL that apply.

An Introduction

Proper spelling, grammar, sentence structure and punctuation.

A Conclusion

A strong and clear thesis statement

Three body paragraphs analyzing production elements of the show your watched.

3 screenshots from the production.

Which songs were featured in the National Theatre's version of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Select ALL that apply.

Love On Top - Beyonce

I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash

What is the equation for conflict, as described in the text in The Art of Playwriting?

Desire + Obstacle = Conflict

Read the following dialogue between Sarah and Mark and determine the most appropriate subtext for Sarah's statement:

Dialogue:

Sarah: "Did you enjoy your evening out with your friends last night?"

Mark: "Yeah, it was fun. We went to that new restaurant."

Sarah: "Must be nice to have so much free time."

Mark: "Well, I just wanted to unwind after a long week."

Sarah is envious of Mark's social life and is indirectly expressing her loneliness.

What does "subtext" refer to in the context of dialogue in a play?

The hidden meaning beneath a character's words, revealing their true intentions.

How does rhythm in dialogue create a pattern and evoke an emotional response?

By adjusting the sounds and speed in which the lines are delivered.

Here are three instances of dialogue saying the same thing with different rhythms:

Instance 1: Could you pass me the salt, please?

Instance 2: Salt, please. Pass it over.

Instance 3: Pass the salt, if you don't mind.

Instance 4: Would you mind handing me the salt?

Which of the following instances of dialogue utilizes a more urgent and direct rhythm to convey the same request for the salt?

Instance 2

What is a formula plot in storytelling?

A plot that follows a specific structure or blueprint

Match the plot type with the movie:

Tha Avengers

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Formula Plot

Non-Formula Plot

All of the following are facts about Orangutan EXCEPT:

Her real name is Madeline Mays.

In Water By The Spoonful, which character takes the surprising step in personal growth to care for Odessa when she relapses?

Fountainhead

The title of the play Water By The Spoonful comes from the scene in the play where:

Elliot yells at Odessa for her addiction and for being unable to keep his 2 year old sister alive by giving her water by the spoonful.

The ghost that Elliot is haunted by is:

The first man who he shot down in Iraq.

In the play, Water by the Spoonful, Odessa sends Chutes and Ladders a water wing because:

Chutes and Ladders had told a story about his wake up call of nearly drowning because he didn't know how to swim.

In Water By The Spoonful, how does the theme of dissonance come up in Yazmin's life?

Dissonance represents the internal conflicts and tension she faces as an academic while her extended family faces issues of addiction and poverty.

Why do Orangutan and Chutes&Ladders dislike Fountainhead when they first meet?

They think he is fake, arrogant and privileged.

The root word "wright" comes from the Middle Ages and it means:

one who builds

Instead of saying, "I heard her laugh" a writer might say, "Her laughter bubbled up like a sparkling brook, infectious and full of joy, lighting up the room." The latter phrase is an example of using:

imagery

In the play, Water By the Spoonful, what does water symbolize?

basic needs; life

In the play, Water By the Spoonful, who says this and what does it show about their character: “It’s a psychological battle and I’m armed with two weapons: willpower and the experts.”

Fountainhead; arrogance

In the play, Water By the Spoonful, who says the following and what are they referring to:

“I knew precisely what to do, what buttons to push, I engineered that shit, I might as well have pushed the thing into her vein. Because I thought, Why would God take the good one? Yo, take the bad mom instead!”

Elliot; Odessa's overdose

Typically, playwright's get lowest billing on the program.

False

Find the MOST appropriate word(s) for the following idea from Ch.6 - The Art of Playwriting. "Characters in plays come to life by what they ____________________."

say and do

In the short video interview with Quiara Alegria Hudes, what does she imply by stating, "You're never a writer, you're always becoming a writer"?

Writing is an ongoing process that requires constant reinvention

In the short video interview with Quiara Alegria Hudes, what inspired her to write from a young age?

Stories from neighbors and family in Philadelphia.

What are some real world skills that Dr. Phyl hopes you gain from taking this class? Select ALL that apply.

Learning how to express your ideas, thoughts and feelings verbally.

Learning how to be an active participant in your education.

Learning how to think more deeply, more analytically and more critically.

Learning how to express your ideas, thoughts and feelings through writing.

Which of the following will help you do well in this class? Select ALL that apply.

Making at least 1 friend in the class.

Coming to class prepared by reading all the plays and doing all the coursework.

Going to office hours & communicating with the professor or TAs

Engaging your body by sitting up straight and engaging your mind by paying attention and taking good notes.

Sitting closer to the front of the class :)

Exhibiting curiosity about the subject matter.