Introduction to Medieval and African Theatre Traditions

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the social structures, staging techniques, and cultural differences between Medieval, African, and Western theatre traditions as outlined in the lecture.

Social Structure (Medieval)

A hierarchy where society was divided into groups, with the King and nobles holding the most power while peasants and serfs had the least.

Monarch

The King or Queen positioned at the top of the medieval social hierarchy.

Clergy

Religious officials who held significant power and influence over people in medieval society.

African Theatre

A performance style that dissolves the barrier between actors and the community, expecting the audience to participate in singing, dancing, and storytelling.

Djembe and Mbira

Traditional instruments used to drive the rhythm and pulse of the African stage.

Ubuntu

A concept highlighting human interconnectedness and the idea that people depend on one another.

Gum boot dancing and Isishkisha

Performances used as living traditions to keep African culture and history alive.

Pageant Wagons

Decorated moving cars used as stages that moved through town so different groups could watch various Bible stories.

Mansion Staging

Technique where several small stage areas represented different places, such as Heaven, Earth, or Hell, with actors moving between them.

Platea

An open acting space surrounded by the audience that used no scenery and relied on the audience's imagination.

Feudalism

The organization of medieval society into a hierarchy where people had different roles and responsibilities based on their position.

Mystery Plays

Religious plays based on the Bible and Christianity, covering stories from Creation to the Last Judgement.

Miracle Plays

Religious plays focused on the lives of Saints and their miracles, often including special effects like fire, smoke, and trap doors.

Morality Plays

Religious plays that taught moral lessons about good and evil through characters representing abstract qualities like Death, Sin, and Knowledge.

Everyman

The most famous example of a medieval Morality Play.

The Fourth Wall

The invisible barrier in Western theatre where the audience acts as passive, silent observers of a private world.

Iambic Pentameter

A specific speech pattern used as a theatrical convention in Western acting.

Western Storeis Focus

Narratives that typically highlight individual conflict and a character's personal journey or goals.