Midterm Drama Appreciation

Who ________________ was known as the father of tragedy and the earliest writer of Greek tragedy whose plays still exist? A. Aeschylus B. Sophocles C. Euripides D Aristotle

A. Aeschylus

French tragic playwrights wrote in ________, which sounds rather boring to modern ears. A. Alexandrine verse B. iambic pentameter C. couplets D. elegy

A. Alexandrine Verse

Artists create the perception of order in many ways. Which of the following is not one of them? A. By meticulously creating a slavish copy or an exact replica of visual media B. By emphasizing certain parts of life and deemphasizing others C. By selecting and arranging their perceptions of the world D. By creating a meaningful form

A. By meticulously creating a slavish copy or an exact replica of visual media

The purpose of Greek tragedies was not to make the audience feel somber but to enable them to experience an intense twofold feeling known as ______________, which occurs when one truly encounters life and confronts its many riddles. A. catharsis B. hubris C. hamartia D. peripeteia

A. Catharsis

When was the first text written about how to write a play? A. Circa-350 BC B. In the late 1400s C. Approximately 535 D. In the early 12th century

A. Circa-350 BC

In 1453, what city of the Eastern Roman Empire fell to the Ottoman Turks and prompted the Renaissance? A. Constantinople B. Rome C. Sparta D. Athens

A. Constantinople

What distinguishes Euripides' work from the other great playwrights of ancient Greece's Golden Age? A. He was one of the first writers to treat women as major characters. B. His plays were filled with heroic acts of the Athenian warriors. C. He celebrated the oracles. D. He was afraid to speak his mind.

A. He was one of the first writers to treat women as major characters.

Which of the following is not true of a "rehearsal report"? A. It is written by the director. B. It is circulated among everyone involved with the production to let them know how rehearsal went. C. It includes any ideas that arose affecting the set, lights, props, or costumes sight lines. D. It informs designers about any concerns.

A. It is written by the director.

This theatre professional reads and evaluates scripts, acting as a liaison between playwrights, agents, and the theatre. This person often writes grant applications to help support new play development and stage readings of new plays. A. Literary Manager B. Artistic Director C. Stage Manager D. Producer

A. Literary Manager

How were contemporaries Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare similar? A. Marlowe wrote plays filled with classical allusions. B. They were both well-known actors. C. They were both well educated. D. They both roomed with fellow playwright Thomas Kyd.

A. Marlowe wrote plays filled with classical allusions

____________________ plays told stories about the lives of the saints. A. Miracle B. Penance C. Morality D. Liturgical

A. Miracle

This French playwright was supported by King Louis XIV. He wrote scathing comedies, such as Tartuffe, that satirized French life. A. Moliere B. Jacques Pradon C. Jean Racine D. Pierre Corneille

A. Moliere

Horse-drawn wagons used to stage religious performances in the town square were called ________. A. Pageant Wagon B. Mystery carts C. stage coaches D. theatre boxes

A. Pageant Wagon

Which of the following did not contribute to the end of religious theatre many parts of Europe? A. Pope Innocent III's building of a ballroom theatre at the Vatican. B. The Roman Catholic Church's insistence on approving all liturgical dramas C. The Protestant Reformation D. The realization that each play had its own interpretation of biblical stories and lessons

A. Pope Innocent III's building of a ballroom theatre at the Vatican.

This theatre professional financially backs the theatre or orchestrates funding through grant money and ticket sales. A. Producer B. Artistic Director C. Stage Manager D. Literary Manager

A. Producer

Greek tragedies were presented in groups of three and were followed by a short comic-relief play. This comic-relief play was called a _________________________. A. Satyr play B. trilogy C. parody D. Burlesque skit

A. Satyr play

This theatre professional often uses a computer to aid in creating the stage elements that make up the physical appearance of the stage. A. set designer B. sound designer C. technical director D. prop master

A. Set designer

Religious dramas called autos sacramentales were still being performed in ____________________ two hundred years after liturgical plays had lost popularity in the rest of Europe. Even though secular plays were allowed, they often had liturgical and ____________ themes. A. spain, patriotic B. Italy, fascist C. Germany, nationalistic D. England, colonial

A. Spain, patriotic

This theatre professional not only runs the show during the performance but also helps the director throughout the rehearsal process by taking notes, recording blocking, scheduling rehearsals, and assisting during auditions. A. Stage manager B. Literary manager C. Artistic director D. Producer

A. Stage manager

What is the last thing to happen just before the theatre doors are locked for the night? A. The ghost light is rolled onto the stage. B. Ticket sales are tallied C. Actors remove their costumes and make-up. D. The stage manager writes the performance report.

A. The ghost light is rolled onto the stage.

Every time artists make a choice about what aspect of existence to select and arrange, they express a value judgment and reveal their beliefs. Because of this, art is inherently political. A. True B. False

A. True

Once scholars rediscovered the great Greek tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides and the Roman comedies of Plautus, Terence, and Seneca, university students were performing these classics for their fellow pupils and small invited audiences, which helped pave the way for introducing more secular theatre. A. True B. False

A. True

The duties of the dramaturg may include acting as a literary advisor or serving as the expert in theatre history who helps the director understand specifics about a play's performance history. A. true B. false

A. True

Theatre and drama have three qualities that make them unique art forms: the performance is always live, its always about human beings, and its collaborative. A. True B. False

A. True

True or False. During the Dark ages in Europe, except in Muslim Spain, there were few new inventions and fewer innovative thinkers. A. True B. False

A. True

Which term describes the principles, standards, or qualities considered worthwhile or desirable within a given society? A. Values B. Goals C. Politics D. Aesthetics

A. Values

In a repertory theatre, which two of following members of a theatre ensemble carry the most responsibility for getting the administrative, creative, construction, and production teams on the same page to produce what appears to be an effortless theatre experience? A. Artistic director, stage manager B. stage manager, technical director C. artistic director, director D. playwright, director

A. artistic director, stage manager

The time the actors arrive at the theatre is known as their ____________________, and the time the play starts is called ____________________. A. call/curtain B. appointment/ the game C. preparation/ the go D. start time/ end time

A. call/ curtain

These impromptu farces were performed by professional acting troupes throughout Italy in the 1500s. A. commedia dell'arte B. mystery troupes C. boy companies D. the groundings

A. commedia dell'arte

This theatre professional designs and records various effects that range from synthesized rhythms and pre-show music, to the noises of the onstage doorbell or offstage ambulance sirens. A. sound designer B. technical director C. musical director D. set designer

A. sound designer

The __________ of a work of art is what the work is about, what it reflects or attempts to comprehend. A. Subject B. Muse C. Medium D. Theme

A. subject

According to this Aristotle's theory of causality four causes brought order to the world. Which of these defines the "efficient cause"? A. the agent that actualizes the material, who acts on the material to make it into something B. the end in mind, the ultimate purpose of the thing C. physical material whose potential is not yet realized, the raw material that will become something else D. physical material whose potential has been actualized, the completed thing

A. the agent that actualizes the material, who acts on the material to make it into something

Shakespeare's name first appeared in London in 1592, as an actor with the Lord Chamberlain's company. A. true B. false

A. true

The scenery of Elizabethan theatre was minimal, so playwrights' words painted pictures so that the audience could "dress" the stage in their imagination. This technique was known as: A. verbal scene painting B. visual reality C. visualization D. iambic pentameter

A. verbal scene painting

Which of the following is not characteristic of the commedia dell'arte plays? A. Each actor specialized in playing one particular stock character based on a common stereotype. B. All parts were played by either men or boys. C. Common subjects of the plays were slaves tricking their masters, misunderstandings between lovers, and peasants who are smarter than aristocrats. D. The Church looked upon its vagabond actors as rogues and a public nuisance.

B. All parts were played by either men or boys.

This theatre professional is in charge of the overall creative vision or goal of the ensemble. This person will often choose which plays to produce, who will direct them, and who will design them. A. Literary Manager B. Artistic Director C. Stage manager D. Producer

B. Artistic Director

What are tropes? A. Old Testament proverbs put to music B. Chanted or sung phrases incorporated into Mass as an embellishment on a religious lesson C. A group of religiously ordained and lay people who performed playlets D. The choirboys who performed at Mass during the Middle Ages

B. Chanted or sung phrases incorporated into Mass as an embellishment on a religious lesson

Big budget Broadway musicals like Chicago, that are designed to appeal to the majority of people, can best be described as ____________________. A. Experimental theatre B. Commerical theatre C. Political theatre D. Historical theatre

B. Commerical Theatre

Which of the following terms is defined as the key to the movement of a story and is what qualifies a theatrical work as a "play"? A. Dialogue B. Conflict C. Theme D. Character

B. Conflict

Which of the following types of plays break down the barriers and push the limits of traditional theatre by eliminating the actor/audience relationship or by trying out new staging techniques? A. Historical theatre B. Experimental theatre C. Political theatre D. Commercial theatre

B. Experimental theatre

A work that ignores common standards of technique and beauty, that reflects no skill, that offends viewer's sensibilities, and is practically impossible to comprehend cannot be considered art. A. True B. False

B. False

Artists create because they want to reinforce the audience's values; entertainers create primarily to express themselves. A. True B. False

B. False

The term "rum and fun" comes from the Roman politicians, who knew that if they gave the general population enough food (rum) and entertainment (fun), the public would not question the government. A. True B. False

B. False

To a certain extent, all works of art share five basic qualities: (1) they are created by humans, (2) they create consensus, (3) they have a subject, (4) they use a medium, and (5) they are structured. A. True B. False

B. False

When the Vatican (papal government) sensed that it was losing the common people, it allowed theatrical elements into the Mass to strengthen people's faith. Priests acted as "living impersonators" of biblical figures in short plays on religious topics. Which language did the priest use when performing these little plays? A. French B. The language of the local people C. Latin D. Italian

B. The language of the local people

Which of the following is a job of the house manager? A. to gather cast members in the greenroom. B. To deal with any seating problems and to make sure the play begins on time. C. To turn on the theatre's microphone system so that the actors do not miss their entrances. D. To make final adjustments to costumes and makeup.

B. To deal with any seating problems and to make sure the play begins on time.

Two basic elements of humanist theatre popular in Italy were adherence to Aristotle's unities________________ and ___________________. A. dancing B. declamatory acting C. puppetry D. choral singing

B. declamatory & acting

Which members of the theatre ensemble participate in concept meetings? A. playwright and director B. director and designers C. playwright and designers D. all of these ensemble members participate.

B. director and designers

Two types of permanent public playhouses began appearing around London: small indoor theatres such as the Blackfriars, which were open to the general public, and huge outdoor theatres such as the Rose and the Globe, which catered to wealthy clientele and echoed the arena-like design as in ancient Rome. A. true B. false

B. false

Women were not allowed on stage in Shakespeare's England. It was considered unseemly for women to appear on stage; however, the Puritans approved of boys playing the younger female roles and mature men playing the parts of older women. A. true B. false

B. false

A theatre's ____________________, written by the artistic director, declares in clear and concise terms the theatre's purpose and key objectives. It can also state what type of theatre is to be produced—from comedies and classics to thought-provoking, socially relevant plays or perhaps even new plays by up-and-coming playwrights. A. non-profit status B. mission statement C. dramaturgical research D. program liner notes

B. mission statement

Which influential playwright during The Golden Age of Spanish theatre was ahead of his time because he attempted to explain the human character as shaped by environmental and psychological causes, rather than by fate or dictated by "final cause"? A. miguel de cervantes B. pedro caldreon de la barca C. lope de vega D. Lope de Rueda

B. pedro caldreon de la barca

In his book, The Empty Space, what three elements does Peter Brook say are needed for theatre to occur? A. Story / plot / rising action B. Actors / directors / designers C. An empty space / someone to walk across it / someone to watch D. Beginning / middle / end

C. An empty space / someone to walk across it / someone to watch

Which playwright of Greek comedies is famous for caricatures of Greek leaders, stinging attacks on society, lampooning celebrities in the audience, and writing about a father who advises his spendthrift son to take lessons from Socrates on logic and argumentation to outfox his creditors? A. Sophocles B. Aeschylus C. Aristophanes D. Euripides

C. Aristophanes

During the High Middle Ages, the seeds of the Renaissance were planted with the fall of Muslim Spain and the rediscovery of the writings of the philosopher, ________. A. Plato B. Zeno C. Aristotle D. Socrates

C. Aristotle

Which of the following playwrights was a good friend of William Shakespeare and is buried upright in Westminster Abbey? A. Christopher Marlowe B. Thomas Kyd C. Ben Johnson D. Pierre Corneille

C. Ben Johnson

Which playwright wrote many of the masques staged by Inigo Jones, which offended the Puritans? A. Moliere B. Thomas Marlowe C. Ben Johnson D. All of the above

C. Ben Johnson

Which of the following statements about Euripides and Medea is false? A. Euripides won only four popularity contests, like the one held at the Theatre of Dionysus. B. The protagonist in Medea sought revenge, destroyed her ex-husband's life, and killed her children without retribution for her actions. C. Euripides is the least produced of the ancient Greek tragic playwrights. D. Euripides questioned the existence of the gods

C. Euripides is the least produced of the ancient Greek tragic playwrights.

This French playwright's upbringing was so strict, he was even forbidden to read. But his love of classical Greek plays led him to write his most famous play, Phaedra. A. Moliere B. Pierre Corneille C. Jean Racine D. Jacques Pradon

C. Jean Racine

Which of the following French playwrights was called "a demon in flesh" and told that he should be burned at the stake as "a foretaste of the fires of hell" for writing plays about a religious hypocrite and freethinker who doesn't believe in heaven, hell, or devils? A. Jacques Pradon B. Pierre Corneille C. Moliere D. Jean Racine

C. Moliere

These comic plays were written before the end of the Peloponnesian War, when playwrights enjoyed a relatively high degree of freedom of speech in Athens. A. Satyr plays B. New comedy C. Old comedy D. Dithyramb

C. Old Comedy

Because artists infuse their beliefs into their work and are apt to state an opinion that may challenge an audience's values and deconstruct their preconceptions, many artists are likely to become involved in______________. A. International causes B. Corporate sponsorships C. Political activities D. Fundraising

C. Political activities

The word "Renaissance" means ____________________. A. Rebellion B. re- invention C. rebirth D. Revival

C. Rebirth

These popular entertainers had shows filled with jugglers, acrobats, comic skits, buffoonery, and plenty of vulgar language, indecent songs, and nudity. A. Choregos B. Goat singers C. Roman mimes D. Gladiators

C. Roman mimes

Which of the following statements about theatre in the Dark Ages is false? A. In Constantinople, Ancient tragedies may have been used to teach Greek. B. Companies of jugglers, storytellers, dancers, animal trainers, and acrobats travelled around Europe. C. Roman mimes used puppet plays to perform their unruly skits. D. Fragments of plays by Euripides were found that contained lines rewritten to incorporate Christian themes.

C. Roman mimes used puppet plays to perform their unruly skits.

Ancient Greek plays have a framework consisting of five elements: a prologue, a parodos, alternating episodes and ________, and an exodos. A. commentary B. soliloquy C. stasimons D. chorus

C. Stasimons

In the theatre, the medium is exactly the same as the ________. A. Theme B. Time period C. Subject D. Setting

C. Subject

This theatre professional supervises the construction crews, as well deals with the designers' drawings, paintings, blueprints, scale models, and sketches. A. sound designer B. Set designer C. Technical director D. prop master

C. Technical director

Which of the following was blamed for causing the Black Death during the Middle Ages?causing A. The dance of death B. The population´s interest in secular studies C. The theatre D. Dogs

C. The theatre

The main features of ancient Greek theatres were a seating area called the __________________, or "seeing place" and a circular playing area called the ______________________ or "dancing place," A. Orchestra, skene B. Skene, theatron C. Theatron, orchestra D. Choregos, Theatron

C. Theatron, orchestra

Which institution or group in England attacked the theatre because they believed that the only way to escape the fires of hell was through hard work, abstinence from all profane amusements and sensual pleasures, and careful observance of religious rites? A. catholic church B. Anglican church C. puritans D. university wits.

C. puritans

What kind of theatre did Romans prefer? A. Tragedy B. Satire C. Unsophisticated comedy D. Musical

C. unsophisticated comedy

How did the fall of Athens to the Spartans, which ended the Peloponnesian War, affect the growth of theatre in Greece? A. The pragmatism of Spartan thinking produced few poets, artists, actors, or playwrights. B. Freedom of speech was strictly controlled so playwrights turned to safe themes, more mundane topics, such as marital misunderstandings and meddling in-laws. C. Greek tragedy became shallow, scripts were mediocre, and performances seldom noteworthy. D. All of these affected the growth of Greek theatre.

D. All of these affected the growth of Greek theatre.

How did Aristotle's theory of causality critically influence Christianity and the development of theatre in the High Middle Ages? A. To Christians, Aristotle's philosophy reinforced the idea that everything has a purpose and all things are connected B. Everything results from cause and effect; everything is a sign of God's pleasure or wrath—or possibly the work of Satan. C. Actors and playwrights now understood people's behaviors as resulting from a struggle between God and the Devil, so the characters of morality plays are allegorical. D. All of these are Aristotelian influences

D. All of these are Aristotelian influences

Aristophanes' famous comedy Lysistrata? A. is an anti-war comedy. B. is about a woman who organizes the women of Athens and Sparta to deny their husbands sex until the men stop the war. C. was written during the Peloponnesian War which lasted 27 years. D. All of these describe Lysistrata.

D. All of these describe Lysistrata.

Producing a large-scale production, such as a musical, may include which of the following theatre professionals? A. musical director B. choreographer C. fight director D. All of these may be included

D. All of these may be included

Which of the following is considered a spatial art? A. Movie B. Theatre C. Dance D Architecture

D. Architecture

Which of the following philosophers would agree with the statement: "Theatre is therapy for the soul." A. Plato B. Socrates C. Pascal D. Aristotle

D. Aristotle

Who was Alexander the Great's teacher, who instilled a passion for Greek theatre? A. Plato B. Socrates C. Euripides D. Aristotle

D. Aristotle

Art generally conveys three main ideas. Which is not one of them? A. Skill B. Meaning C. Beauty D. Collaboration

D. Collaboration

Although there are many theories about how theatre began in Athens, many scholars accept Aristotle's claim that theatre grew out of a ritual called the ____________________, a hymn sung at the altar of the god Dionysus. A. Satyr B. Homage C. Preface D. Dithyramb

D. Dithyramb

After the Peloponnesian War, playwrights were denied freedom of speech and turned from political satire to these comic plays, known as ______________, which were mundane and steered clear of insulting those in power: A. Old comedy B. Satyr plays C. politico plays D. New comedy

D. New comedy

The earliest liturgical dramas were written by priests and monks, with the exception of one ____________ who wrote six short dramas about the lives of saintly women, modeling the plays of the Roman comic playwright Terence. A. Minister B. Pope C. Deacon D. Nun

D. Nun

Which of the following was one of Sophocles' most famous characters? A. Agamemnon B. Clytemnestra C. Orestes D. Oedipus Rex

D. Oedipus Rex

This French playwright refused to follow the strict writing code of l'Académie française (the French Academy). His popular play Le Cid was loved by the public, but criticized by the Academy. A. Jean Racine B. Moliere C. Jacques Pradon D. Pierre Corneille

D. Pierro Corneille

Which category of theatre allows playwrights, directors, and actors to express their personal opinions about current issues and might even ask the audience to join them in calling for social change? A. Commercial theatre B. Historical Theatre C. Experimental theatre D. Political theatre

D. Political theatre

Which of the following members of the theatre ensemble manage the budget? A. Director, head of publicity B. Producer, technical director C. Artistic director, head of publicity D. Producer, artistic director

D. Producer, Artistic director

Who was one of Rome's greatest tragic playwrights and, as the tutor of the future emperor Nero, greatly influenced the ruler in becoming one of the greatest supporters of art and theatre in Western history? A. Caesar Augustus B. Marcus Fabius Quintilianus C. Claudius D. Seneca

D. Seneca

Which of the following reflects the prevailing attitude toward theatre in the Dark Ages? A. People in power resented the lack of quality theatre performances. B. Biblical allegories were embraced by the Church and became part of its ministry. C. Theatre thrived and grew as an art form. D. So few people risked attending theatre performances that actors went underground and performed only when and where they could.

D. So few people risked attending theatre performances that actors went underground and performed only when and where they could.

This ancient Greek playwright's plays are known for their complex characterization, harmonious lyrics, and effective dialogue. He also concentrated his plays on just a few critical moments within a character's life. A. Aeschylus B. Euripides C. Aristotle D. Sophocles

D. Sophocles

Which of the following led to the beginning of mass media and the popularization of ideas? A. Public libraries B. Public universities C. The hand-copying of books by monks D. The printing press

D. The printing press

These rigid rules for playwriting insisted that 1) the action of the play take place within twenty-four hours; 2) the play must never combine comedy and tragedy; and 3) all the settings in a play could be reached within twenty-four hours. A. the poetics B. Rules of concise theatre C. Shakespeare's Golden Rules D. The three unities

D. The three unities

Which of the following statements about mystery plays is false? A. They involve some form of comic relief. B. They were outdoor liturgical plays C. They often were performed by guilds (shoemakers, shipwrights, etc.). D. They were about theological mysteries, beliefs that cannot be fully understood but are taken on faith as true.

D. They were about theological mysteries, beliefs that cannot be fully understood but are taken on faith as true.

In fifteenth century, Italy, a university student who rejected the traditional curriculum of theology, and instead studied the classical subjects of history, poetry, painting, architecture, music, and classical literature was called ____________________. A. an intellectual B. a scholar C. a philosopher D. a humanist

D. a humanist

The running crew includes which of the following jobs: A. stagehands B. dressers C. riggers. D. all of these are running crew jobs

D. all of these are running crew jobs

Which of the following originated in Italy and influenced theatre throughout Europe? A. commedia dell'arte B. humanist theatre C. perspective scenery D. all of these originated in Italy

D. all of these originated in Italy

This small, secular play was performed between other forms of entertainment and created a transition between medieval plays meant to moralize and teach biblical lessons to the more secular plays of the future. A. a trope B. an intermission C. a playlet D. an interlude

D. an interlude

Good entertainment, as opposed to good art, likely does all of the following except: A. adjusts its product to please the audience B. uses test audiences to match product values with the consumer C. makes the audience feel good about themselves and what they believe in D. challenges the audience's values

D. challenges the audience's values

This theatre professional designs, builds or purchases all the objects the actors handle while on stage, such as pens, fans, cigars, and umbrellas. A. set designer B. technical director C. Sound designer D. prop master

D. prop master

This department of the theatre company promotes the plays, which might include setting up an interview with the director at the local radio station or arranging times for actors to tour area schools as a part of the theatre's outreach program. A. costume shop B. artistic director's office C. producer's assistant D. publicity department

D. publicity department