THEA 1010 Midterm: Theatre History, Acting, Design & Trifles

What does 'Theatron' mean?

A seeing place

What were the Dionysia?

Athenian festivals held in honor of Dionysus. Festivals included contests between

playwrights, who would submit a set of three tragic plays and one satyr play to the contest.

What are Greek Tragedies based on?

Legends, myth, and history

What characterizes Greek satyr plays?

More comedic elements and typically crass

Why are Greek theatres built acoustically perfect?

So the actor's voices can be heard by thousands without amplification

What does the Greek Chorus provide?

Exposition, commentary, and reaction to the events of the play by singing, dancing and speaking in unison.

Who is credited as the first actor?

Thespis, The word Thespian comes from his name.

What does 'Deus ex Machina' mean?

God from the Machine. Actors playing gods would be lowered down onto the orchestra floor by a crane and wrap up the plot, resolving conflict or bringing justice.

What is a proscenium stage?

A type of stage where the audience faces one side

What is a thrust stage?

A stage that extends into the audience on three sides

What is an arena stage?

A stage surrounded by the audience

What is a black box theatre?

A flexible performance space that can be configured in various ways

How do actors embody their characters?

They use body, voice, and mind

What are the given circumstances of a play?

The facts of the story and characters explicitly stated in the script

What is Stanislavski's acting method founded in?

Realism

What is Actor's Equity Association?

The labor union representing actors and stage managers in the U.S.

What is a side in acting?

A scene or part of a scene performed in an audition

What is a dance call?

Part of the audition process for a musical

What are callbacks?

The second round of auditions

Who is the playwright of Trifles?

Susan Glaspell

When was Trifles first performed?

In 1916 by the Provincetown Players

What do playwrights represent?

The externals of human behavior through dialogue and physical action

What is the director's vision?

It guides the production team and their decisions

What are thumbnail sketches?

Small, quick sketches that help a designer visualize their ideas

What are renderings in design?

Color illustrations showing the designer's final design plan

What is the director's concept?

The central idea that defines their interpretation of the play

What does 'Didaskalos' mean?

Teacher