Theatre Exam Notes

Theatre Words

Key theatre terminologies and concepts for understanding and discussing plays:

  • Acting Style: Naturalistic (realistic) vs. Stylized (exaggerated).

  • Actor-audience relationship: Connection between actors and audience.

  • Atmosphere: Overall mood or feeling.

  • Blocking: Precise actor movements on stage.

  • Characterisation: Developing and portraying character traits.

  • Character behavior/interaction/relationship: How characters act and relate.

  • Climax: Play's most intense turning point.

  • Context: Social, political, and cultural background.

  • Design Concepts: Plans for visual and auditory elements.

  • Dialogue: Spoken words between characters.

  • Dramatic Features: Elements like plot, themes, tension, irony, and character motivation.

  • Dramatic tension: Suspense and anticipation.

  • Dramatic Irony: Audience knows more than characters.

  • Duologues: Scenes for two characters.

  • Episodic Structure: Scenes linked by theme or character.

  • Focus: Directing audience attention.

  • Given Circumstances: Unchangeable facts in the script.

  • Key Scene/Moment: Vital scene or instant.

  • Language: Characters' speech patterns.

  • Message: Play's central idea.

  • Mood: Emotional feeling created.

  • Performance Analysis/Concepts: Evaluation and methods of performance.

  • Plot: Storyline.

  • Plot Twists: Unexpected story changes.

  • Protagonist/Antagonist: Main character and opposing force.

  • Purpose: Play's or character's goal.

  • Stage Proxemics: Use of space to show relationships.

  • Rehearsal Activities: Exercises for character and performance development.

  • Set: On-stage environment.

  • Setting: Time and place of the play.

  • Site Specific Theatre: Performances in unique locations.

  • Special effects: Visual and auditory enhancements.

  • Textual evidence: Script support for analysis.

  • Traditional theatre: Established forms and styles.

  • Stage Imagery: Visual representations on stage.

  • Status: Character's importance.

  • Stimulus: Inspiration for play creation.

  • Subtext: Hidden meanings.

  • Symbols and imagery: Representation of ideas.

  • Target Audience: Intended viewers.

  • Tension: Building excitement and suspense.

  • Textual analysis: Detailed script examination.

  • Theatrical Background: Historical and cultural context.

  • Themes and Issues: Central topics explored.

  • Time period: Historical setting.

  • Positioning: Placement on stage.

  • Use of levels: Utilizing height on stage.

  • Venue: Performance space.

Forms, Genres, Structure and Styles

  • Forms of Drama: Dance Drama, Forum Theatre, Mime, Movement, Musical, Pantomime, Scripted Play, Improvised Play, Physical Theatre.

  • Genres of Drama: Agitprop, Black Comedy, Comedy of Manners, Commedia Dell ‘arte, Docudrama, Epic Theatre, Farce, Historical Drama, Melodrama, Satire, Comedy, Tragic-comedy, Drama, Tragedy.

  • Structure: Linear, Non-Linear, Episodic.

  • Style: Naturalistic, Stylized.

  • Conventions: Theatre practices like Asides, Monologues, Narration and Soliloquy.

Characterisation and Rehearsal Techniques

Methods for developing characters:

  • Character Cards, Giving Witness, Hot Seating.

  • Improvisation, Key Moments Exploration, Mantel of the Expert.

  • Role Play, Role on the Wall, Role-Reversal.

  • Still Image/Talking through the image.

  • Use of prop Exploration, Thought Tracking, Thought Tunnel.

  • Voices in the Head, Visualisation Exercises, Writing in Role.

Voice and Movement

  • Voice: Pitch, Pace, Emphasis, Volume, Accent, Clarity, Intonation, Pause, Tone, Articulation, Fluency, Projection, Register, Rhythm.

  • Movement: Naturalistic/Stylized Movement, Body Language, Facial expression, Gesture, Posture, Gait, Physicality, Stance, Timing, Use of Levels/Space/Direction.

Staging and Areas

  • Types of Staging: End On, Theatre in the Round, Thrust, Avenue/Traverse, Promenade.

  • Areas of the Stage: USR, USC, USL, CSR, CS, CSL, DSR, DSC, DSL.
    *Production Areas: Jobs required to create a play, like acting, directing, set design, lighting, costume, and sound.
    *Props: Objects used by actors

South African Theatre: Culture and Rituals

  • Ritual and Performance: Explores the relationship between ritual, cultural context, and theatrical goals.

  • Plays to Know:

    • "Have You Seen Zandile?" Gcina Mhlope's play using personal memories and cultural storytelling.

    • "Antigone [not quite/quiet]" New version addressing decolonization and resistance.

Have You Seen Zandile? Analysis

Analysis using theatre terms:

  • Characterisation: Development of Zandile and Gogo through language and dialogue.

  • Themes and Issues: Focus on the hopes, secrets, and sorrows of young rural women.

  • Setting: Rural South Africa based on memories.

  • Dramatic Tension: Build-up of tension through plot, key scenes, and moments.

  • Language and Style: Use of narratives and songs.

  • Structure: Likely non-linear or episodic.

  • Performance Concepts: Acting style (naturalistic), blocking, stage proxemics, voice, and movement.

Greek Theatre

Key elements of Greek Theatre:

  • Dionysus: Origin in religious festivals honoring Dionysus.

  • Theatre Diagram: Essential to understand the physical space, including "theatron" and "skene".

  • Masks: Used to indicate tragedy or comedy and character moods.

  • Characters: Antigone, Creon, Haemon from Sophocles' "Antigone".

  • Chorus: Group commentary on characters and events.

  • Tragedy: Focus on human suffering, fate, and catharsis.

Performance Reflection

  • Challenges in Group Work: Address specific problems, solutions attempted, and effects on performance.

  • Character in Monologue: Explore motivation, objective, point of view, and subtext. Use voice and movement to portray character.

  • Importance of Warm-ups: Prepare body and voice for performance, enhancing physical and vocal control.