One-Act Plays Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is a defining characteristic of a one-act play?

  • It always includes a prologue and epilogue.
  • It typically contains a single main plot or theme. (correct)
  • It has an extensive cast of characters.
  • It consists of multiple acts and scenes.

Which of the following statements about the structure of a one-act play is true?

  • It does not need to include exposition.
  • It follows a basic linear structure with beginning, middle, and end. (correct)
  • It is structured into multiple acts and scenes.
  • It has a complex structure with multiple climaxes.

What role does dialogue play in a one-act play?

  • It is the principal medium for character development and story progression. (correct)
  • It is often lengthy to allow for deep exploration of themes.
  • It serves as background information.
  • It is less significant than the stage directions.

How are characters typically managed in a one-act play?

<p>The number of characters is limited to maintain focus. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which historical period contributed to the origins of one-act plays?

<p>The Elizabethan and Jacobean Era (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical duration of a one-act play?

<p>Between 15 minutes to one hour (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is often prioritized in the setting of a one-act play?

<p>A single setting to maintain focus (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primarily differentiates a one-act play from a full-length play?

<p>Its length and structure (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary theme explored in Susan Glaspell's play 'Trifles'?

<p>Gender roles and perspectives (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which expressionist theme is notably present in Edward Albee's 'The Zoo Story'?

<p>Isolation and communication (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what context does 'The Long Christmas Dinner' depict the characters' lives?

<p>Generational changes during a single dinner event (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main conflict in Lucille Fletcher's 'Sorry, Wrong Number'?

<p>A woman overhears a conversation suggesting a crime (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which era is characterized by the rise of parlor plays designed for intimate settings?

<p>Victorian Era (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant development occurred regarding one-act plays in the Modern and Contemporary Era?

<p>Digital platforms increased their accessibility (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What key aspect of 'The Cask of Amontillado' contributes to its theme of revenge?

<p>The meticulous planning of a crime (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did experimentation with expressionism and absurdism influence one-act plays in the early 20th century?

<p>They gained popularity and diverse themes (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Flashcards

One-Act Play

A dramatic work consisting of a single, self-contained act or episode, typically focusing on a specific theme, conflict, or idea.

Act

A distinct, main section of a play.

Play

A dramatic composition typically structured into acts, with each act further divided into scenes.

Brevity

One-act plays are concise and typically shorter in duration than full-length plays. They aim to convey a complete story within a limited timeframe, often lasting from 15 minutes to an hour.

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Single Setting

Due to the shorter duration, one-act plays frequently take place in a single setting. This limitation helps maintain focus and allows for quick and seamless storytelling.

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Limited Characters

The number of characters in a one-act play is limited. The play typically has a smaller cast of characters compared to full-length plays. Focusing on a single situation necessitates character limitation.

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Single Plot or Theme

The narrative of a one-act play typically revolves around a single central plot or theme. There is less room for complex subplots, and the focus is on a straightforward exploration of the central idea.

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Dialogue

Dialogue is crucial in a one-act play. It serves as the primary medium through which the play progresses, and characters reveal their personalities and relationships. Dialogues should be clear and concise, especially in a one-act play where time limitation doesn't allow for lengthy speeches.

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Parlor/Drawing-room Plays

Plays designed for intimate, domestic settings, popular in the 19th century.

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Expressionism

A style of theater that explores emotions and ideas through exaggerated and symbolic means.

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Absurdism

A style of theater that uses absurdity and illogical situations to highlight the meaninglessness of life.

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Trifles

A play by Susan Glaspell that explores gender roles and perspectives in the context of a murder investigation.

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The Zoo Story

A play by Edward Albee that explores themes of isolation and communication through an encounter between two men.

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The Long Christmas Dinner

A play by Thornton Wilder that depicts the lives of a family over several decades, exploring themes of time and generations.

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Sorry, Wrong Number

A suspenseful thriller by Lucille Fletcher in which a bedridden woman accidentally overhears a conversation that leads her to believe a crime is being planned.

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Study Notes

One-Act Plays

  • One-act plays are brief, self-contained dramatic works, typically focusing on a single theme, conflict, or idea.
  • Acts are distinct sections of a play, and each act is further divided into scenes.
  • One-act plays are concise, often lasting 15 minutes to an hour.
  • They usually have a single setting to maintain focus.
  • Character numbers are limited to avoid overcrowding and maintain play effectiveness.
  • Often centered around a single plot or theme.
  • Dialogue is crucial, conveying information quickly and efficiently as time is limited.
  • Structure follows a basic beginning, middle, and end format, with exposition, conflict, climax, and resolution.

Early Origins of One-Act Plays

  • Medieval mystery plays and morality plays were early predecessors.
  • These were short dramatic presentations portraying biblical stories or moral lessons.
  • Elizabethan and Jacobean era (late 16th to early 17th centuries) saw interludes and court masques.
  • These included short dramatic segments that helped lay the foundation for one-act plays.

Characteristics of One-Act Plays

  • Brevity: Short duration (15 minutes to an hour).
  • Single Setting: Typically one location.
  • Limited Characters: Small cast.
  • Single Plot/Theme: Focuses on one central idea.
  • Dialogue: Concise and impactful.
  • Structure: Linear narrative with a beginning, middle, and end.

Victorian and Early 20th-Century One-Act Plays

  • Victorian era: Designed for intimate settings in parlors or drawing rooms.
  • Early 20th century: Expressionism and absurdism influenced the form.

Modern and Contemporary One Act Plays

  • Continue to be used in festivals, competitions, and educational settings.
  • Digital platforms have expanded their reach through online productions.

Examples of Famous One-Act Plays (as presented in the text)

  • Trifles (by Susan Glaspell): Explores gender roles.
  • The Zoo Story (by Edward Albee): Isolation and communication.
  • The Long Christmas Dinner (by Thornton Wilder): Time and generations.
  • Sorry, Wrong Number (by Lucille Fletcher): Suspense.
  • The Cask of Amontillado (by Edgar Allan Poe): Psychological tension, revenge.

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