Final Flashcards
seating area section
Theatron
tructure at the back of stage. “tent” or “hut,” and it is thought that the original structure for these purposes was a tent or light building of wood, and was a temporary structure.
Skene House
the circular space used by the chorus in front of the proscenium
Orchestra
was a wheeled platform rolled out through a skênê in ancient Greek theatre. It was used to bring interior scenes out into the sight of the audience.
Ekklyma
“a god from a machine.” “Machine,” in this case, refers to the crane that held a god over the stage in ancient Greek and Roman drama.
Deus Ex Machinae
entrance affording access either to the stage (for actors) or to the orchestra (for the chorus)
Pinake
a 3-sided revolving apparatus painted with scenery and used at each side of the stage
Periactoi
• Exposition – first scene/act always.
o Opening carefully sets out the story (lays out background and exposition)
o Often the play is heavy on exposition and background. The inciting incident happens late in Act I or start of Act II
• Each act builds to the crisis moment
o The crisis moment represents a reversal of fortune. Something catastrophic will happen – or the catastrophe is avoided at the last minute by a lost letter or something other contrived ending.
• There is an “obligatory scene” – characters confront each other and there is a showdown.
• There is a strong resolution with no loose ends
Tools often used:
Well Made Play
rejects established norms and conventions, has been rejected by society, and has the self as the center of his or her own existence
Romantic Hero
proscenium arch stage and three walls. proscenium opening is the fourth wall. create the illusion of an interior room on the stage, and are contrasted with earlier forms of sets in which sliding flats with gaps between them created an illusion of perspective.
Box Set
acts like a picture frame through which the action can be seen.
Proscenium Arch
naturalistic representation of real life
“Slice of Life” Play
- builds to climatic moments
- to arouse audience’s interest with contrived climax (not truthful emotions or characterizations)
-excellent craftsmanship and well-made play structure - Emphasizes careful cause and effect development
Tightly constructed crisis drama
Revolves around a secret known to the audience and a few characters
To further the action – it is common to use letters or lost documents.
Letters will dramatically appear with important information in them that solves riddles/problems/crisis
Well Made Play
make fun of rules of upper class and the proprieties of society.
comedy of manners
actress in male clothing
breeches role
acclaimed actor, and one of the first English actresses and a mistress of King Charles II of England. … Praised by Samuel Pepys for comic performances as one of the first actresses on the English stage, best known for being a long-time mistress of King Charles II of England and Scotland.
nell gwynn
a group of dancers, actors, or other entertainers who tour to different venues.
troupe
Religious themed plays (books of the Bible or stories from the Bible)
Performed in Latin
Performed in the Churches
liturgical drama
Continue to perform religious themes
performers are creating dialogue and common man characters
Performed in the common language
in the Church courtyard or on the steps
Performers are actors and not clergy
Plays may be serious or funny. All are designed to teach morals and important stories
secular drama
– backdrop or space to discern
mansion
playing space
platea
the movable stage on which a scene of the processional religious play was performed.
pageant wagon
plays transferred from the Church to the community.
Presentation of plays coincided with saints’ days and holidays on the Christian Calendar
Many mini-plays put together to create a complete telling of a story (The life of Christ, the Creation, etc)
Each mini play was built on a wagon or stage. Wagon’s were paraded through town.
cycle play
Renaissance setting
unity of time, place, and action
