Theatre History Crossword Puzzle

Japanese Theatre

• Bunraku is a traditional Japanese puppet theatre featuring intricate puppetry and storytelling.

Commedia dell'arte

• Performers traveled in companies, allowing for collaborative performances across regions.
• Plays were primarily improvised, showcasing spontaneous wit and creativity driven by actors' skills.

Sponsorship in Theatre

• Noblemen supported writers and actors financially, enhancing their credibility and livelihood.

Theatrical Spaces

• The pit was an area where "groundlings" (lower-class audience) viewed plays in Elizabethan theatres.

Types of Plays

• Miracle plays depicted stories from the Bible and lives of saints, aiming to educate and entertain.
• Passion plays focused on the final week of Christ's life, representing a significant aspect of religious theatre.

Key Figures in Theatre

• Shaw is known for his philosophical approach in plays like Arms and the Man.
• Greek actors were exclusively men, reflecting societal norms of the time.
• Ben Jonson was a rebellious writer in the Elizabethan era, known for criticism of societal issues.
• Shakespeare rivaled both Marlowe and Jonson, becoming the most recognized playwright of his time.
• Thespis is recognized as the first actor to step out of the chorus, marking a pivotal moment in theatre history.
• The term tragos, meaning "goat song," is the origin of the word "tragedy."
• Marlowe wrote The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus, a key text in English drama.
• Sophocles authored classics like Antigone and Oedipus the King.

Royal and Cultural Influence

• Queen Elizabeth served as Shakespeare's patron, significantly influencing his works.
• Miller is the playwright of The Crucible, exploring themes of morality and justice.
• Kabuki is a Japanese theatre form that combines singing, dancing, and acting, known for its stylization.

Twentieth Century Contributions

• Williams was a notable playwright of the twentieth century, recognized for works like Cats and A Streetcar Named Desire.
• A masque is identified as a play characterized by noble extravagance, often performed at royal courts.

Theatre Legitimacy and Religion

• The English Royal Patent legitimized theatre, establishing it as a respected art form.
• Greeks honored the god Dionysus through theatrical performances, highlighting the intertwining of religion and theatre.

Influence of Film and Gender

• American film almost overshadowed the development of American stage theatre.
• During the Elizabethan era, women were feared to cause immorality if allowed on stage, leading to their exclusion.

Literary Contributions

• Euripides authored Medea, known for its powerful themes of revenge and moral conflict.
• Roman theatre included elements like mimes, dancing, and horseplay for entertainment.
• Fontesca was a maidservant character in Commedia dell'arte, known for her dynamic roles.
• Terence, an ex-slave, wrote Love for Love, contributing significantly to Roman comedy.

Historical Context

• Early American theatre plots often borrowed from British narratives, reflecting colonial influences.
• Aeschylus is hailed as the "Father of Tragedy," laying foundational aspects of the genre.
• Hansberry wrote A Raisin in the Sun, a powerful exploration of African American life and dreams.
• A significant place of performance in early theatre was recorded in Egypt, indicating the roots of theatrical history.
• Aristophanes is noted for writing Greek comedy, known for its clever satire and political commentary.

Test your knowledge of theatre history with this engaging crossword puzzle! Cover various aspects of theatrical elements, including traditional Japanese puppet theatre and European comedia dell'arte. Perfect for drama students and enthusiasts alike.