Drama 2 Mid-term study guide

Theater Arts:

  • Theater is the one art form that incorporates all other arts
  • Movement and dance art part of theater
  • Fine art is a part of theater with set design, props, and lighting
  • Sound and music is part of theater. This includes soundscapes and folley artists.
  • Creative writing and poetry are part of theater. This includes script writing, spoken word and rap.

Movement:

  • blocking; telling actors where they should move for the proper dramatic effect, ensuring sight lines for the audience and working with the lighting design of the scene.
  • One should always be aware of their own body in the space given and of those around them.
  • Unless otherwise stated always make eye contact when moving on stage with the other actors.

Fine art and lighting:

  • Color is important in set design as it sets the moods and feelings expressed
  • A monochromatic set is one where one color is predominantly used with different values of hues and shades
  • Complimentary colors used on a set are those colors on opposite side of the color wheel. This allows for the colors to appear brighter.
  • A gel is a transparent colored material that is placed in front of a stage light to alter the color.
  • A gobo is a metal screen used in front of a spotlight to project shapes through the light.
  • One might want to exaggerate props or set for emphasis at other time one might want to diminish the size.
  • Up close set design and props will appear higher, bigger, darker and more detailed.
  • Far away set design and props will appear shorter, smaller, lighter and less detailed.
  • Site lines are unobstructed lines of site from anywhere in the house to anywhere on set. Props and/or actor must not block the view of any audience member.
  • Costume designers create the look of each character by designing clothes and accessories the actors will wear in performance.
  • The shapes, colors and textures that a costume designer chooses make an immediate and powerful visual statement to the audience.
  • The costume is the characters important first impression; it is important the designer has a complete understanding of the character.
  • Stage costumes can provide audiences with information about a character's occupation, social status, gender, age, sense of style and tendencies towards conformity or individualism.
  • Costumes can: reinforce the mood and style of the production, distinguish between major and minor characters, suggest relationships between characters, change an actor's appearance, suggest changes in character development and age.

Sound and Music

  • A sound designer is responsible for everything an audience hears during a performance.
  • A sound cue card is a list that follows the script of the performance which indicates where what sound needs to be added.
  • A foley artist is someone who creates custom sounds for a particular performance.

Creative writing and Poetry

  • Poetic devises are used for both scripts and poetry.
  • Repetition is a device that can help a writer generate exciting poems with just repeating a key phrase or image.
  • Rhyming can enrich your diction and performance.
  • Rhythm is important, when a sentence is spoken quickly it feels rushed, uncomfortable, maybe even overwhelming. When spoken slowly each word is important, the audience will listen intently.
  • Pitch speaks about how high or low your voice will project each word.
  • Dynamics are the loudness and quiet of words spoken. When spoken loudly one will assume anger or passion, when spoke quietly one will feel that it is a secret or incredibly important.
  • When performing spoken word remember that eye-contact with the audience will help form a connection.
  • Projection is used to speak loudly
  • Enunciation means not to mumble and to speak clearly
  • When speaking words be aware of your facial expressions and gestures.

Japanese Theater

  • There are three main types of Japanese theater; Noh, Kabuki, and Bunraku.
  • The oldest is Noh, which has been performed since the 14th century
  • Noh uses no set or set props (it does use body props)
  • Noh is derived from the old religious dances performed outside temples.
  • Noh performers wear masks of stock characters
  • All characters wear beautiful elaborate silk costumes.
  • Time and space are not always portrayed realisticly.
  • Both Buddhist and Shinto doctrine are reflected in theNohplays.
  • There are 5 types of Noh plays: the god play, the warrior play, the woman play, the mad woman, and the supernatural.
  • A Kyogen is a short comedic play performed between the deep, philosophical and serious Noh plays.
  • Noh movement are highly stylized and prescribed. This is similar to sign language.
  • Kabuki is the only theater form to have been founded by a woman.
  • Kabuki grew out of opposition to Noh — they wanted to shock the audience with more lively and timely stories.
  • Kabuki uses make-up and facial expressions instead of masks.
  • Over time Kabuki became a structured 5 act play performed by men often based on the tenants of Confucius.
  • The first act starts slowly and its main purpose is to introduce all of the characters. The next three acts speed up and have major drama and/or tragedy there is often a battle. The final act is short and gives a satisfying conclusion.
  • There are three main types of Kabuki theater, the historical, the domestic, and dance pieces.
  • Bunrakutheater is ancient Japanese puppetry that dates back as far as Noh.
  • There are three kinds of performers involved in Bunraku theater; the puppeteers, the chanters and the Musicians.
  • Bunraku puppets requires 3 separate people to operate them.
  • The main puppeteer, uses his or her right hand to control the right hand and if needed the head of the puppet. He is the most important one and doesn’t always wear a head covering.
  • The second puppeteer controls the puppets left hand.
  • The third puppeteer controls the puppets feet and legs.
  • It takes many years to become a main puppeteer. Moving from up in the ranks only after 10 or more years.
  • When the puppeteers have their heads covered with black fabric the audience considers them invisible.
  • The shamisen players provide the essential music of the traditional Japanese puppet theater.
  • The chanter expresses emotions both in his inflections and his facial expressions.
  • Bunrakustories come from samurai legends and actual events involving commoners.