THEA 110 Midterm Exam 2025

Why is theatre called a "collaborative art"? - -It takes all types of artists to make a production What is part of the Actor's Paradox? - -The actor is himself and the character What is meant by the term "ephemeral" - -it takes place only for a short time it happens only once It can never be repeated How are actors different than other performers? - -play someone else sing & dance recite poetry Which of the following is a type of a play? - -Comedy Tragedy History Which of the following is a type of comedic play? - -Farce Melodrama Satire What is Catharsis? - -A release of emotions Where does the term proscenium come from? - -Greek, meaning in front of skene (scenery) Which type of theatre generally has a fly system, orchestra pit, and trapdoors? - Proscenium What is special about a Thrust style theatre? - -Has audience on three sides of the stage What is meant by the term protagonist when referring to character? - -the central character When reading a play Spectacle is the most important of Aristotle's 6 parts. - -false Aristotle's treatise on Greek Theatre was titled Poetics. - -True THEA 110 THEA 110 What is meant by "point of attack" regarding the plot? - -The point in the storyline where the plot begins What can language tell us about a character in a play? - -Can tell us about their social class and education What are Aristotle's 6 parts of a play? - -Plot, Character, Idea, Music, Language, Spectacle What is the first piece of information a reader receives about the play? - -The title of the show The price of the script Who is the Antagonist of a play? - -The character who is in opposition of the protagonist What can we learn by reading the "cast of characters" at the front of the script? - Characters names Characters age Characters relationships What is meant by the term "exposition"? - -giving the audience information about characters, location, past events, etc. Why does Willy want Linda to quit darning her stockings? - -Because he's embarrassed he can't buy her new ones, Because it reminds him of the ones he gave to the other woman and his infidelity At the beginning of the play what city did Willy reach before he had to turn around and come home? - -Yonkers Where does Biff find Willy with "The Woman"? - -Boston Who is Dave Singelman in Death of a Salesman? - -The greatest salesman Willy ever knew What does Linda tell Willy in the last scene? - -We're free She can't cry She paid off the house What does Howard show Willy in his office before he fires him? - -A new tape recorder When and where does the plot of Death of a Salesman happen? - -In the past, when Biff is a football star THEA 110 THEA 110 In the present, when Willy can't make a living as a salesman anymore. Which character states, "Attention! Attention must be paid!"? (First name only) - -Linda What does Willy sell in Death of a Salesman? - -The play never says What is the climax of Death of a Salesman? - -The car crash What do rituals show their audiences? - -The religious, social and political beliefs of a culture What does the term "singular voice" mean regarding storytelling? - -It means one performer with one point of view Why did the audience come to hear the stories? - -To hear a new story for the first time Because the story might be a serial and they needed to hear the next part They came back to hear old favorites What is a modern type of ritual? - -A wedding A Bar Mitzvah A graduation ceremony Why can we only make assumptions about the rituals and stories that were created thousands of years ago? - -There were no permanent record kept then. What had to be developed before we can have storytelling? - -language Where did rituals and storytelling start? - -Africa Regarding the performers, how do ritual and storytelling differ? - -Rituals have multiple performers Storytelling must have a singular voice (performer) A heroic event by a member of our group is a perfect example for a storyteller's tale. - True All rituals must be of a religious nature. - -False Performance analysis is simply saying "I liked it" or "I hated it". - -False What is a convention, as pertaining to seeing a performance? - -an accepted way of doing things THEA 110 THEA 110 In performance how do we learn about a Character? - -Through their actions How they control their body and voice By what they wear What has to happen to make surprise and suspense work? - -anticipation set up no accidents Accidents enhance the meaning of the play because they are not expected. - -False How can lighting affect an audience member when seeing a play? - -Set the mood Add color focus attention Sets and Costumes can tell us information about the characters. - -True How can we learn information about a play before we see it? - -read the play visit web sites read reviews When seeing a play which of Aristotle's 6 parts of a play is most important? - -Spectacle Before the play starts and we are in our seats how can we still get info about the play? - -Read the program, Listening to the music playing In what country did Comedia del Arte begin? - -Italy How many performers were in a typical Comedia troupe? - -About 10 Who is Harlequin? - -a zanni What are the two periods of Roman theatre? - -Republic