Theatre Arts Study Guide PDF

Theatre Arts Study Guide Short Answer Questions ​ What are three things a good set should do? ​ What are three steps in the scenic design process? ​ Describe the setting of the play Trifles. ​ What are the three types of props? Provide an example of each. ​ Explain two responsibilities of...

Theatre Arts Study Guide Short Answer Questions ​ What are three things a good set should do? ​ What are three steps in the scenic design process? ​ Describe the setting of the play Trifles. ​ What are the three types of props? Provide an example of each. ​ Explain two responsibilities of the props master. ​ What are two conventions of Elizabethan theatre that affected how plays were performed? ​ What are two defining characteristics of Shakespearean plays? ​ What is the difference between a soliloquy and an aside? ​ What are three things sound effects can do in theatrical productions? ​ How did musicals develop, and what are three factors that make them complex to produce? Short Answer Key ​ A good set should create mood and atmosphere, tell the audience about the characters and setting, and provide a practical playing space for the actors. ​ Three steps in scenic design are: reading and analyzing the script, creating sketches and models of the set, and collaborating with the director and other designers to develop the final design. ​ Trifles takes place in the messy kitchen of a farmhouse in the early 1900s during winter. The setting reflects the isolation and neglect present in the lives of the characters. ​ Set props: large moveable items not built into the set (e.g., a sofa). Decorative props: small items that enhance the visual setting (e.g., a vase of flowers). Hand props: items handled by actors (e.g., a letter). ​ The props master reads the script and creates a props list, and researches the setting to ensure props are authentic and accurate. ​ All actors were male, with young boys playing female roles. Performances were held during the day in open-air theatres. ​ Shakespearean plays are written in Early Modern English and often feature complex characters, poetic language, and exploration of universal themes. ​ A soliloquy is a lengthy speech delivered alone on stage, revealing a character's inner thoughts. An aside is a brief comment directed to the audience, unheard by other characters.  ​ Sound effects can create realistic environmental sounds, evoke specific emotions, and highlight important moments in the play. ​ Musicals evolved from operettas, variety shows, and minstrel shows. They are complex to produce due to the integration of singing, dancing, and acting, the need for specialized performers and crew, and the large-scale production elements involved. Essay Questions ​ Discuss the significance of the title Trifles. How does the play explore themes of gender roles and societal expectations? ​ Analyze the use of symbolism in Trifles. What objects or events take on deeper meanings within the context of the play? ​ How does the design of the Globe Theatre, a typical Elizabethan playhouse, influence the performance of Shakespeare's plays? ​ Compare and contrast the roles of the director and the choreographer in a musical production. How do their contributions shape the overall artistic vision of the show? ​ Discuss the evolution of the musical theatre genre. How have musicals changed over time, and what factors have influenced their development? Glossary of Key Terms ​ Aside: Words spoken by a character to the audience, unheard by other characters on stage. ​ Choreographer: The person who designs and directs the dance or stylized movement in a musical production. ​ Concept Musical: A musical where the theme or idea is more important than the narrative. ​ Conventions: Established practices or techniques commonly used in a particular art form. ​ Dance Captain: The person who teaches the cast the dances and maintains the choreography's integrity. ​ Early Modern English: The form of the English language spoken from the late 15th to late 17th centuries. ​ Elizabethan Theatre: Theatre produced during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603). ​ Groundlings: Poor audience members who stood in the open yard ("the pit") of the Globe Theatre. ​ Mega Musical: A large-scale, spectacular musical, often with elaborate sets and costumes. ​ Musical Director: The person responsible for the musical aspects of a production, including conducting the orchestra and rehearsing the singers. ​ Operetta: A light opera, typically with a comedic plot and spoken dialogue. ​ Props: Objects used on stage by actors or as part of the set. ​ Props Master: The person responsible for acquiring, organizing, and managing all the props for a production. ​ Scenic Design: The creation of the visual environment for a play, including the set, scenery, and props. ​ Score: The sheet music containing the musical notation for a theatrical production. ​ Soliloquy: An extended speech by a character alone on stage, revealing their inner thoughts and feelings. ​ Sound Designer: The person who creates and manages all the sound elements for a production, including sound effects and music. ​ Sound Plot: A document that lists all the sound cues and their timings for a play. ​ Variety Show: A theatrical entertainment featuring a variety of acts, such as singing, dancing, comedy, and acrobatics. ​ Vocal Coach: The person who assists the musical director in training and rehearsing singers.