Dramatic Conventions

Question 1

a technique employed regularly in the drama so that the audience come to attach specific meaning to it. When a technique is used repeatedly in a drama the audiece recognize its significance.

Answer 1

Dramatic Convention

Question 2

an act of speaking one’s thoughts aloud when alone or regardless of any hearers

Answer 2

Soliloquy

Question 3

spontaneous invention and development of drama without use of scripts or preparation

Answer 3

Improvisation

Question 4

a technique for exploring any kind of dilemma faced by a character

Answer 4

Conscience Alley

Question 5

an idealized model of a person, object, or concept from which similar instances are derived, patterned or emulated

Answer 5

Archetype

Question 6

a fictionalcharacter based on a common literary or social stereotype. It relies heavily on cultural types or names for their personality, manner of speech, and other characteristics

Answer 6

Stock Character

Question 7

the imaginary invisible wall at the front of the stage through which the audience sees the action

Answer 7

Fourth Wall

Question 8

This is where the actor speaks as if to himself or herself

Answer 8

Interior Monologue

Question 9

This is where the actor speaks to another person who is not in the performance space or speaks to the audience

Answer 9

Exterior Monologue

Question 10

a technique whereby one or more performers speak directly to the audience to tell a story

Answer 10

Narration

Question 11

telling of a story without words

Answer 11

Pantomime

Question 12

type of stage. The thrust configuration is the oldest known fixed type of staging in the world and it is thousand years old

Answer 12

Thrust Stage

Question 13

type of stage. The stage is often a square or rectangular playing area, usually raised, surrounded by raked seating.

Answer 13

Thrust Stage

Question 14

type of stage. A stage where the audience sits on one side only. The audience faces one side of the stage directly and may sit at a lower height or in tiered seating.

Answer 14

Proscenium Stage

Question 15

frame around the stage of Proscenium Stage. This helps to define that imaginary fourth wall in realistic theatre.

Answer 15

Proscenium arch

Question 16

is where the acting area in front of the proscenium arch comes forward so that some of the audience are sitting on three sides of the action of the play

Answer 16

Thrust Stage

Question 17

often used as an alternative term for thrust stage but can also refer to the much smaller acting area in front of the proscenium arch in some theaters

Answer 17

Apron stage

Question 18

type of stage. Positioned at the center of the audience. There’s an audience around the whole stage

Answer 18

In-the-round stage

Question 19

type of stage. The audience sits on two sides

Answer 19

Traverse Stage

Question 20

type of stage. That is when the rear of the stage is higher than the front of the stage

Answer 20

Raked Stage

Question 21

large piece of cloth often with scenery or buildings painted on it that is hung at the back of a stage while a play is being performed

Answer 21

Back cloth (Backdrop)

Question 22

are flat pieces of theatrical scenery which are painted and positioned on stage so as to give the appearance of buildings or other background.

Answer 22

Flats

Question 23

the area that is furthest away from the audience

Answer 23

Upstage

Question 24

as you might expect, this is the location that is used for acting

Answer 24

Acting Area

Question 25

the section of the stage closest to the audience

Answer 25

Downstage

Question 26

the area to the performer’s right

Answer 26

Stage Right

Question 27

the areas on the performers’ right and left that are out of sight of the audience. These often serve as exit points for the performers when they need to leave the scene or get off the stage

Answer 27

Off Right and Off Left

Question 28

lies just in front of the proscenium arch

Answer 28

The Apron

Question 29

the area where the audience sits to view the performance. Left and right designate which side of the theatre they are watching the performance from.

Answer 29

Audience

Question 30

An imaginary reference line on the playing area that indicates that exact center of the stage, travelling from up to downstage

Answer 30

Setting Line

Question 31

refers to the area just off-stage to the sides of the proscenium arch. They are typically masked with legs

Answer 31

Wings

Question 32

The main curtain that conceals the stage from the audience

Answer 32

Grand Drape