Theatre Terms Flashcards
The activity or profession of acting in, producing, directing, or writing plays
Theatre
A serious drama or other literary work in which conflict between a protagonist and a superior force concludes in disaster for the protagonist.
Tragedy
The genre of dramatic literature that deals with the light or the amusing or with the serious and profound in light, familiar, or satiric manner
Comedy
A drama combining the qualities of tragedy and comedy
Tragicomedy
In theatre, a drama characterized by stereotyped characters, implausible plots, and emphasis on spectacle
Melodrama
A genre of art comprising a multi-disciplinary, live, theatrical presentation, usually involving the audience. Typically involves non-theatre artists and a non-theatre environment
Performance Art
The written dialogue an actor/actress uses to bring to life the message contained within it
Script
In theatre, film, and narrative literature, the structure of the work comprising crises, climax, exposition, complication, and denouement, foreshadowing, discovery, and reversal
Plot
In theatre, film and literature, the aspect of plot in which necessary background information, introduction of characters, and current situation are detailed
Exposition
In visual art, the illusion depicted on a two-dimensional surface, in which figures and objects appear to recede or project sharply into space, often using the rules of linear perspective. In fictional film, theatre, and literature, the organization and presentation of events that prepare the viewer or reader for something that will occur later
Foreshadowing
The realization of what was foreshadowed has reached fruition or has been revealed
Discovery
The back of a coin- the opposite of what the viewer, or reader would have expected to happen.
Reversal
A person in a novel, play, or movie
Character
In theatre, the use of light to enhance the three-dimensionality of the human body or the elements of the scenery
Chiaroscuro
In theater, film, and literature, the leading actor or personage in a play or narrative work-that is, the major character around whose decisions and actions the plot revolves
Protagonist
The dominant idea of a work of art, music, film, dance, and literature. In music, art music, film, dance, and literature.
Themes
A distinguishing scene, piece of scenery or elaborate costume that takes a given scene and gives the viewer a vivid picture on which to focus.
Visual Elements
Developing the scenery, background, etc. To best fit what the script and the actor/ress requires to deliver the performance to deliver the script
Scene design
Developing the chiaroscuro to set the set the mood for what is being acted upon at the upon at the given time
Lighting Design
Creating the apparel/ attire for the cast of a theatrical production the best exemplifies the setting and scenery of their character in the role (s)he is playing.
Costume Designing
In film, a genre characterized by bold and sweeping themes and a protagonist who is an ideal representative of a culture
Epic
The increase and decrease of intensities between characters and plots
Dynamics
The person chosen to play the role in the script
Actor / Actress
The reality of the work. The ability to relate to the movie, drama, musical and make definite links to ones own life
Lifelikeness
In theater and prose fiction a philosophy arising after world war ll in conflict with traditional beliefs and values and based on the contention that the universe is irrational and meaningless and that the search for order causes conflict with the universe
Absurdism
In cinematography, a feature, often artificial or illusory, that is added to a film during its processing
Special effects
A short written review of a work, whether it be musical, dramatic, or cinematography
Narrative
A movie, news clip, about a real event
Documentary
