Aesthetics: The Artistic Impulse

CORE 105
Aesthetics: The Artistic Impulse

Study Guide
Chapter Six: Theatre

GENRES
• What are the five GENRES of theatre? Describe them. 1.The first genre of theatre is tragedy. Tragedy is what happens when humans try to justify themselves. Their destruction in the attempt creates a wrong or an evil in their surroundings. Tragedy is a play with an unhappy ending.

2. The second genre of theatre is comedy. Comedy deals with light or amusing subjects or serious and profound subjects in a light, familiar or satirical manner.

3. The third genre of theatre is a tragicomedy. In a tragicomedy, characters reflect diverse social standings from kings to common folk and reversals go from good to bad and bad to good. A tragicomedy, the mood may
The Exposition provides necessary background information. Through it the playwright introduces the character-their personalities, relationships, backgrounds and present situations. _____________________________________________________________________________________

• What is the COMPLICATION?

The Complication contains the meat of the play, and it comprises a series of a series of conflicts and decisions, called crises, that rise in intensity until they reach the climax- that constitutes the end of the complication section. It provides some a fundamental dramatic device in order to interest and audience. • What is the DENOUEMENT?
The denouement is the final resolution of the plot which is the period of time during which the audience senses that the action is ending- a period of adjustment, downward in intensity, from the climax. _____________________________________________________________________________________

ELEMENTS OF COMPOSITION
• What is FORESHADOWING?
Foreshadowing provides credibility for future action, keep the plot logical, and avoifd confusion. It builds tension and suspense by making the audience sense when something is about to happen

• What is
SCENIC DESIGN—Define…what are the most important elements of theatre design
• Any physical surrounding for a production constitutes a scenic design because someone makes an artistic choice in its selection. The most important elements of a theatre design are scenic environment, line, form, mass, repetition and unity. It is reflects what actions are taking place in the play.

• LIGHTING DESIGN—Define…why is lighting design important
Lighting design reflects the mood of the act and the structure of the play. The lighting design focuses on what the production requires of us based on actors and settings and our perception of forms and depth. The lighting also allows the audience to experience the time and place of the actions.

COSTUME DESIGN—Define…what do costumes reflect?
Costume design reflects the era through what the actors are wearing. It also reflects the character’s social position, profession, cleanliness, age, physique and health.

PROPERTIES—What are the different types of props? How do they help in understanding the action of the play?
• Set props are part of the scene design. They identify the mood of the play and the tastes of those who inhabit this