Theatre as Activism

Question 1

Alfred Jarry

Answer 1

Considered a founder of Postmodernism, wrote Ubu Roi.

Question 2

Ubu Roi

Answer 2

A parody/satire of works like Macbeth, heavily criticizing society and the modern world. Considered important to the development of Postmodernism, Dadaism, Futurism, Surrealism, & Absurdism.

Question 3

Hugo Ball

Answer 3

Dadist, founder of the Cabaret Voltair

Question 4

Dadaism

Answer 4

dedicated to the absurd to the absurd extreme; a response to the War questioning and condemning war and moors of society which contributed to it.

Question 5

Tristan Tzara

Answer 5

Dadaist who wrote The Gas Heart

Question 6

The Gas Heart

Answer 6

Dada script mocking traditional theatre containing no logic or plot structure and characters named after body parts.

Question 7

Theatre of the Absurd

Answer 7

Albert Camus; explores human existence, morality, & societal norms. Often nonsensical, with redundant dialog and deep philosophical thought.

Question 8

Theatre of Cruelty

Answer 8

Artaud; based on Surrealism, confronts the audience’s fears to help them overcome them; the premise that man’s savagery can be overcome if it is exposed and confronted.

Question 9

Samuel Becket

Answer 9

Absurdist; Waiting for Godot; his death is considered the death of the movement.

Question 10

Waiting for Godot

Answer 10

Absurdist play written by Becket; Two men waiting in a train station for a person who never comes.

Question 11

Rosencrantz & Gildstern Are Dead

Answer 11

Absurdist play about Rosencrantz & Gildstern, two minor characters from Hamlet exploring existentialism and death.

Question 12

Epic Theatre

Answer 12

created by Berthold Brecht, a movement meant to encourage social & political changes based on reason over emotion.

Question 13

Berthold Brecht

Answer 13

Creator of Epic Theatre; Known for the Threepenny Opera and Mother Courage & Her Children.

Question 14

V-effect

Answer 14

Verfremdung; alienation; meant to distance the viewer emotionally, allowing for rational, critical thought.

Question 15

gestus

Answer 15

a style of acting emphasizing gestures, facial expressions and tone of voice to make a political point.

Question 16

Threepenny Opera

Answer 16

Epic theatre; A musical drama by Brecht exploring morality as both luxury and tool, encouraging care for others over the appearance of morality.

Question 17

Mother Courage & Her Children

Answer 17

Epic theatre; play by Brecht warning of the evils of war profiteering; a mother tries to profit while keeping her children safe, but ultimately they are killed or arrested, and she continues on looking for more work.

Question 18

Theatre of the Opressed

Answer 18

Augusto Boal; workshop more than performance, intended to both educate on social issues and allow participants to “practice” acting against oppression.

Question 19

Types of Theatre of the Opressed

Answer 19

1. Image Theatre
2. Forum Theatre
3. Invisible Theatre
4. Newspaper Theatre
5. Rainbow of Desire
6. Legislative Theatre

Question 20

Image Theatre

Answer 20

Theatre of the Oppressed; Uses tableau to demonstrate that action speaks louder than words.

Question 21

Forum Theatre

Answer 21

Theatre of the Oppressed; public forum in which audience and performers may discuss and “practice” change

Question 22

Invisible Theatre

Answer 22

Theatre of the Oppressed; more extensively rehearsed, they are performed unannounced in public spaces to raise awareness of social or political issues

Question 23

Newspaper Theatre

Answer 23

Theatre of the Oppressed; turns headlines into performances meant to keep the public informed and provoke discussion

Question 24

Rainbow of Desire

Answer 24

Theatre of the Oppressed; focuses on interpersonal relationships and tensions there-in.

Question 25

Legislative Theatre

Answer 25

combines aspects of other types of Theatre of the Oppressed; gathers input/feedback from voters on existing & proposed laws meant to facilitate dialog b/w the people & institutions

Question 26

Guerrila Theatre

Answer 26

Created by RG Davis and the San Francisco Mime Troupe; socio-politically active performance meant to disrupt cultural norms & force people to face uncomfortable truths; may result in arrests.

Question 27

The Diggers

Answer 27

Guerrila theatre troupe who performed street performances encouraging interactions with surroundings & spectators.

Question 28

Jana Natya Manch

Answer 28

leftist Indian theatre group meant to bring theatre to the people and highlight social issues such as unemployment and equality.

Question 29

Safdar Hashmi

Answer 29

Member of Jana Natya Manch, became a martyr for street theatre.