Plays like Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia demonstrate the __________.

breadth and power of a liberal arts education

The speech or dialogue in a play is often different than speech found in everyday life. How?

The words of a playare more evocative and intense.

With the proper inspiration, could a white playwright write a play about the black experience?

it is a matter of opinion; this question can't be effectively answered

Why did playwrights from the Middle Ages frequently write anonymously?

They wrote for the glory of God rather than personal recognition.

Which of the following would be a good example of a playwright determining how to work with form?

deciding the order of the scenes

What role do new play festivals serve in the development process?

New plays are seen and heard and get feedback.

What role does copyright play for the professional playwright?

Copyright protects the playwright’s rights & ensures they receive payment.

Which of the following is an example of new play development?

a staged reading at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center

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CHAPTER 5: Playwrights

20 termsStudBud Administration22 plays

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Questions 20

Answers

1
Plays like Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia demonstrate the __________.
variety of playwriting approaches
importance of securing an agent
breadth and power of a liberal arts education
many ways that theatres are coming together to develop new plays
2
Since the ancient Greeks, Western playwrights have primarily addressed social ills.
False
True
3
Moisés Kaufman and the Tectonic Theater Project created __________.
The Imaginary Invalid
The Laramie Project
Fun Home
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
4
An actor speaking onstage with or without other actors on stage with him is most likely giving
nothing.
a monologue.
an Aria.
dialogue.
5
Companies like the Living Theatre and the Open Theatre were famous for their __________.
independent playwrights
ability to train directors like Lloyd Richards
ability to “fix” other theatres’ problem plays
collective creative process
6
The speech or dialogue in a play is often different than speech found in everyday life. How?
The words of a playare more evocative and intense.
The words of a play are simpler and less complex than normal speech
he words of a playfocus on everyday life rather than important moments.
The words of a playare unrealistic so it's easier for the actors on stage.
7
With the proper inspiration, could a white playwright write a play about the black experience?
it is a matter of opinion; this question can't be effectively answered
no; playwrightsshould only write about what they know firsthand
yes; there is nolimit to what the playwright can create
yes, as long as thewhite playwright has done extensive research
8
The playwright's process is almost always solitary.
False
True
9
Hrosvitha of Gandersheim, Aphra Behn, and Susana Centlivre were all __________.
playwrights who challenged the prevailing style
“play doctors”
women playwrights
unheralded artistic “geniuses” from the English Renaissance
10
Why did playwrights from the Middle Ages frequently write anonymously?
Activists used plays to create widespread social change.
Many playwrights were women who were not allowed to work.
Wrote controversial work and did not want to draw attention to themselves.
They wrote for the glory of God rather than personal recognition.
11
The strictures of the Neoclassical Rules were broken once and for all by
Hugo.
Ibsen.
Williams.
Molière.
12
Most contemporary playwrights spend 8‐10 hours writing each day.
False
True
13
The Dramatists Guild & ASCAP help navigate through copyrights and royalties that ensure a playwright gets paid.
False
True
14
Playwrights create which of the following onstage?
all of these choices
images
dialogue
silences
15
Which of the following would be a good example of a playwright determining how to work with form?
fixing the ending so that it matches the rest of the details in the play
deciding the order of the scenes
deciding the main character’s name
asking “What is the story?”
16
Once a playwright sold a play during the time of William Shakespeare the playwright no longer retained rights to it
False
True
17
What role do new play festivals serve in the development process?
New plays feature star actors to garner audiences and media attention.
New plays receive a fully funded production & playwrights get paid.
New plays are seen and heard and get feedback.
New plays are published once they are performed at festivals.
18
Playwrights in ancient Greece were considered __________.
creative “hacks” who created substandard literature
a vital part of civic life
great entertainers
religious leaders
19
What role does copyright play for the professional playwright?
Copyright law has never extended to plays, playwrights have no protection.
Copyright protects the playwright’s rights & ensures they receive payment.
Copyright guarantees that the play will not change after it is published.
Copyright gives theatres the right to change scripts in any way
20
Which of the following is an example of new play development?
a director thought of a new production concept for an ancient Greek tragedy
Williams revising Cat on a Hot Tin Roof 20 years after its Broadway debut
Sarah Ruhl overhearing a conversation about a maid who refuses to clean
a staged reading at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center

CHAPTER 5: Playwrights Flashcards | StudBud