THEATER 101 TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE
monologue
only one person talking on stage; usually a speech
dramaturgy
understanding the history and context of a play that makes it easier to understand
dialogue
when two or more people are talking on stage
stage directions
instructions on where to go on the stage during a play
aside
a line spoken that some or all other characters will not hear; meant for the audience
blocking
written instructions on where actors should be or go on stage
scene
a division of an act into smaller parts; usually changes when setting, characters, or time
change
act
a major division of a play; usually there are two acts in a modern play or musical
intermission
a break between acts of a play during which people are sent out for snacks or stretch
breaks
interlude
a short break between scenes of a play
mime
acting out with body and hands; not talking; no props
ad lib
improvising small amounts of actions or words to fill some space
proscenium stage
a performance space in which the audience views the action as if through a picture
frame
thrust stage
a theater stage that extends out into the audience's part of a theater and has seats on
three sides
theater in the round
theater where the stage is in the middle of the audience and the performers are
surrounded on all sides by the audience
traverse stage
a stage in which the audience is seated on two sides of the acting area and seats are
often raked.
lighting design
shapes the way that audiences see the setting and costumes; directs the audiences
attention while evoking mood or atmosphere
set design
shows what the stage will look like during a particular play, act, or scene
monologue
only one person talking on stage; usually a speech
dramaturgy
understanding the history and context of a play that makes it easier to understand
dialogue
when two or more people are talking on stage
stage directions
instructions on where to go on the stage during a play
aside
a line spoken that some or all other characters will not hear; meant for the audience
blocking
written instructions on where actors should be or go on stage
scene
a division of an act into smaller parts; usually changes when setting, characters, or time
change
act
a major division of a play; usually there are two acts in a modern play or musical
intermission
a break between acts of a play during which people are sent out for snacks or stretch
breaks
interlude
a short break between scenes of a play
mime
acting out with body and hands; not talking; no props
ad lib
improvising small amounts of actions or words to fill some space
proscenium stage
a performance space in which the audience views the action as if through a picture
frame
thrust stage
a theater stage that extends out into the audience's part of a theater and has seats on
three sides
theater in the round
theater where the stage is in the middle of the audience and the performers are
surrounded on all sides by the audience
traverse stage
a stage in which the audience is seated on two sides of the acting area and seats are
often raked.
lighting design
shapes the way that audiences see the setting and costumes; directs the audiences
attention while evoking mood or atmosphere
set design
shows what the stage will look like during a particular play, act, or scene
