Theatre

📖 Vocabulary & A Christmas Carol

Here are your words with definitions and examples of how Dickens uses them in Stave 1:

• Bedlam – chaos, uproar. Dickens describes London’s chaos: “There’s more Bedlam than workhouses tonight.”

• Covetous – greedy; Scrooge is called “a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner.”

• Destitute – impoverished; Mrs. Cratchit worries her family’s destitute state if Scrooge continues.

• Idle – lazy; Scrooge rails against the unemployed “Idlers.”

• Humbug – nonsense; Scrooge frequently dismisses Christmas as “Humbug!”

• Fortnight – two weeks; Scrooge refers to business timelines: “I'll stay at home tonight, who cares if I am nice for a fortnight?”

• Myrrh / Frankincense – gifts of the Magi; mentioned in the Christmas spirit narrative when recalling carol traditions.

• Vehemently – intensely; Scrooge protests — “I am not going to be frightened,” he says vehemently.

🎭 Greek Theatre

1. Who is Thespis?

He’s considered the first actor—the one who stepped from chorus into dialogue with them, introducing individual character roles and masks. Hence we call actors “thespians.” en.wikipedia.org+2en.wikipedia.org+2reddit.com+2

2. What are thespians?

“Thespian” comes from Thespis—modern term for actors.

3. Famous Greek playwrights?

• Aeschylus (“father of tragedy”; introduced a second actor, richer staging) en.wikipedia.org+1reddit.com+1mmdtkw.org+7en.wikipedia.org+7reddit.com+7

• Sophocles (scene painting, third actor)

• Euripides (psychology-focused tragedies)

• Aristophanes (largely satirical comedies)

4. Three types of Greek plays:

• Tragedy (heroes, fate, catharsis)

• Comedy (satire of current society)

• Satyr plays (racy, myth-based interludes) greekreporter.com+11pbs.org+11pbs.org+11pbs.org

5. Why were masks important?

• Exaggerated expressions for visibility in open-air theatres

• Vocal amplification

• Quick character/gender changes (all actors were male)

• Symbolic link to Dionysian ritual transformation reddit.com+15archaicsocieties.com+15mmdtkw.org+15studysmarter.co.uk+3en.wikipedia.org+3mmdtkw.org+3

6. Who is Dionysus?

Greek god of wine, fertility, ritual—whose festivals, especially the City Dionysia, gave birth to drama.

🎬 The Crew & Cast Roles

Crew:

• Director – artistic vision and actor guidance

• Producer – logistics, funding, budgeting

• Choreographer – movement/dance sequences

• Musical Director – oversees musical supervision

• Casting Director – selects actors

• Dramaturg – ensures script integrity, historical accuracy

• Designers – create sets, costumes, lighting, sound

Cast:

• Leading Actor – main protagonist

• Supporting Actor – significant but secondary roles

• Ensemble – group performers supporting/staging the show

• Understudy – covers principal roles as needed

• Swing – covers multiple ensemble parts

🎭 Parts of the Stage

• Upstage – toward rear

• Downstage – toward audience

• Stage Left/Right – actor’s left/right facing audience

• Center Stage / Center Line – literal center

• On Stage – visible playing area

• Off Stage – hidden from audience

• Wings – lateral off-stage areas

• House – seating area for audience

• Proscenium – arch framing the stage

• Orchestra – pit area (music)

🎤 Meisner Technique

• Foundation: "Living truthfully under imaginary circumstances."

• Emphasizes genuine connection, emotional instinct, behavior impulses.

• Uses exercises like repetition to develop authenticity and presenc