Marky Sharrow THR 1010 September 18th, 2013

THEATRE CHEAT SHEET A quick glossary of terms & concepts for the aspiring theatre artist

I.

Definitions:
A. Theatre From the Greek theatrona place for viewing. The name of

the space comes from the Greek theomai to see, to watch, to observe. B. C. Drama To do. An action. Art Has intrinsic value, exists only for itselfno functionality other than

to exist as art.

II.

Art:
A. Categories
1. Literary Transposition of spoken word. Poetry, prose. Generally does not

include non-fiction.

2.

Visual Physical representation of ideas through various media: photography,

sculpture, paint.

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Performing Can perhaps be considered a hybrid of the two other types of art.

Spoken word(or music) that combines with movement and spectacle to create a performance or show. Dance, theatre, music.

B.

Elements of all Arts

1. Sight Our vision, what we perceive when we view a work of art.

2. piece.

Sound Our aural senses at work, what can be heard from a piece or during a

3.

Touch Tactile-what we can feel or touch with our hands.

4.

Time The amount of actual time which is required to view a piece, does time

pass as we observe in order for us to see the entire piece.

5.

Space The physical mass of a piece and its presence in a gallery or place of

viewing(theatre).

C.

Commonalities of Various Art Forms Most art forms require sight

and space to exist as art, although there are exceptions. D. Differences between Art Forms Music requires no sight, we can

appreciate it without the use of our eyes. And although we could reach out and

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touch theatre and dance, our ability to appreciate them does not hinge upon said action.

III. Characteristics specific to the Performing Arts:

A. Movement through Time In order to understand, appreciate, or

otherwise view a piece, we must allot the proper amount of time to do so. The piece moves through physical time in minutes and seconds, but also has a time in and of itself as the piece progresses. B. Creators & Interpreters Writers who pen the music or play and

actors, designers, directors, and musicians who interpret the works. The interpreters are, for the most part, free to produce any variation of the intended piece, regardless of the composer or playwrights concept. C. Audience Performing art is not art without someone, even one person,

to view it.

IV.

Elements of Theatre

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A.

Performer Represents the material through movement, voice, or a

combination thereof. B. Space Physical place where the action takes placearena, theatre,

recital hall. C. D. Audience Subjects who witness the performance in a space. Spectacle1. Scenery: The physical place. Where/when are wecan be literal or figurative.

2.

Costumes: Garments adorned by performers to give us indications as to who,

when, and where we are.

3.

Lighting: Artificial representations of natural lighting, can be literal or

figurative as well.

4.

Sound: Added tracks or augmentation to the actors voices. Can combine music,

effects, and other aspects to complement a piece.

5.

Props: Items owned and used by a performer to aid in the audiences

verisimilitude.

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E.

Collaboration: The aforementioned spectacles working in harmony with

other creators and interpreters to create a piece that jives.

V.

Roots of Theatre
A. Ritual: The current theory is that theatre in its modern form is derived

from religious festival and ritual. Since ancient times, religious rituals have taken place(pagan rites, the Festival of Dionysis, etc.) and the theory is that, while people realized that there may or may not have been efficacy to the rituals performed, they found them enjoyable! The escape of pretend became a desirable part of everyday life, and theatre was born. B. Storytelling: Another theory for the origins of theatre. Oral

traditions(great ballads, religious myth, fables) were told and slowly the elements of theatre were added for effectcostuming and properties, and thus theatre was born. C. Dance Drama: Another alternate theory for the origins of theatre, and

perhaps it was born from all three. Dance drama being representations of a hunt, religious rite, or didactic story.
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D.

Greece: Most evidence points to Greece as the fertile crescent of the

theatre. The great amphitheaters and plays to come from Greece define the way that theatre has evolved over time and continues to evolve today. E. Dionysus The Greek god of wine, fertility, and rebirth. Known to the

Romans as Bacchus. F. G. H. Thespis Regarded as the first actor. Masks Adorned by actors in ancient Greece to aid in their pretend. Aeschylus Can perhaps be considered the father of tragedy. Wrote the

Agamemnon trilogy. I. Sophocles His plays succeed Aeschylus, and unfortunately few remain.

However, his Oedipus the King(and the trilogy regarding said character) are widely regarded as some of the finest plays ever penned, with Oedipus the King considered the perfect example of a tragedy(by Aristotle himself). J. Euripides Did not win as many competitions as the two playwrights

who precede him, but a vastly larger amount of his work still exists for examination today. His authorship includes the story of Medea.
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K.

Aristotles Poetics
1. Six Elements of Drama

a)

Plot: The most important element, upon which all other elements are

built, and none should overshadow. The content of the show and the objectives of the characters derive from the plot.

b)

Character: The agents of the plot.

c)

Idea: The theme, why did the author pen the play, and what are they

really saying.

d)

Language: Vivid characters who face and overcome recognizable

obstacles and express themselves with heightened language.

e)

Music: Rhythm, the heart of the play. Creates the mood.

f)

Spectacle: Everything that is seen or heard onstage, sets, lights,

costume, etc.

2.

Tragedy: A play, which usually involves a tragic hero with a tragic flaw, which

rises in action and ends in catastrophe.

3.

Catharsis: A moment of emotional release, especially for the audience. Usually

a moment that allows as to cry, but can also be laughter in a drama.

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Comedy: A play which contains elements that are mostly meant to entertain,

albeit with a sometimes didactic message.

5.

Climatic Plot: An arc which clearly and deliberately builds upon itself before

leading to some sort of apex before falling in action and being resolved in a denouement.

6.

Protagonist: The leading, or one of the main, characters of a drama.

7.

Antagonist: The nemesis or antithesis of the main character, usually presents

themselves as an obstacle to the protagonists goals.

VI.

Key Terms
A. Aesthetic Distance: The gap between the audiences conscious reality

and the fictional reality being presented onstage. B. Willing Suspension of Disbelief: --Verisimilitude. The convention that

the audience accepts the action onstage as real or happening, while still realizing that they are in a theatre watching a play. C. Epic Plot: A long journey, full of obstacles, twists, and turns. Homers

Odyssey, Beowulf, etc.

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D.

Artistic Director: Can be considered the right brain of a theatrical

operationensures that the company produces theatre that is cohesive within both itself and its season. E. Producer: The left brain of any theatre operation, in charge of budgets,

funding, and getting butts in seats. F. Dramaturg: The primary researcher for a company or play, presents

research into a piece that gives insight to the directors and actors on the setting, mood, and time of a work. G. Non-Profit Theatre: A theatre that exists for itself, usually to educate,

and is classified as such by the government. H. Commercial Theatre: A theatre, such as the Fischer or the Fox, which

exists as a business. Theatre companies can also be commercial, The Goodspeed Opera House, Paper Mill Playhouse, etc. I. Proscenium Stage: A stage with viewing from only one side. Usually

framed by a proscenium arch.

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J.

Thrust Stage:

A stage with seating on 3 sidesthe action is thrust into

the audience. K. Arena Stage: A venue with seating on all sides, whether in a circle with

fluid seating or a large square with seating on all four sides. L. Black-box Theatre: A smaller, intimate venue with (usually) adaptable

seating. Can be set up as any of the aforementioned styles of seating, or, seating can be unconventional and spread throughout the action. Found Space: An unconventional theatre space, can be anything. An

M.

abandoned warehouse, an empty pool with brilliant acoustics, or the perfect place outside.

N.

Fourth-wall convention: The convention(accepted idea) that there is an

impenetrable wall between the action onstage and the audience. Can be willingly broken by the actors and director for certain effects.

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