Review - Playwright & Theatre History

Who acted during the Elizabethan era?

• Only nobility

• Only boys and men

• Anyone from the middle class

• Members of the guilds

Answer explanation

Women and girl characters in Elizabethan theatre were played by men too, just like in Greek theatre and... lots of theatre history, tbh.

Which of the following were one of the purposes of South African Political Theatre? (Select all that apply.)

• resist apartheid

• explore South African histories

• uphold the social order

• dazzle the audience with spectacle

Answer explanation

Exploring South African history was an important part of resisting apartheid, and of developing a new social order after its abolition.

According to your textbook, the political theatre play The Island references a production of Antigone, which is an example of which type of theatre?

• Greek

• Medieval

• Elizabethan

• Beijing Opera

Answer explanation

Antigone is the sequel to Oedipus, by Sophocles.

Name one thing a playwright might take inspiration from, according to your textbook

Answer explanation

Personal Experience

Literature

History

Art/Music

Science, Philosophy, other disciplines

Imagination

Who wrote the play Joe Turner's Come and Gone?

Answer explanation

August Wilson!

Where was August Wilson educated?

• in a public school

• in a church

• in a library

• in a private school

Answer explanation

August Wilson took charge of his own education when left school after being accused of plagiarism, along with other racial prejudice.

What were the three types of Greek play?

• Comedy, Tragedy, Satyr

• Comedy, Tragedy, Spiritual

• Mystery, Morality, Miracle

• History, Tragedy, Military

Answer explanation

Happy Comedies, sad Tragedies, and hilarious, bawdy Satyr plays.

<-- Satyr like... this guy.

Which TWO of the choices below were the main ways audiences made meaning of or understood performances in the Beijing Opera?

• gestures & movement

• sets & props

• language & voice

• costumes & makeup

Answer explanation

Which types of theatre had professionalized actors? (Select all the apply.)

• Greek

• Medieval

• Elizabethan

• Beijing Opera

• South African Political

Answer explanation

Greek and Medieval Theatre were put on by members of the community.

Where does Joe Turner's Come and Gone take place?

• Pittsburg

• Chicago

• Atlanta

• Boston

Answer explanation

It's called the Pittsburgh cycle for a reason!

Only one of the plays in the cycle takes place outside of Pittsburgh, where August Wilson grew up.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is set in Chicago.