THEATER TERMS # 5                                      

 NTC’s Dictionary of Theatre and Drama Terms, Jonnie Patricia Mobley, National Textbook Company, 1992

1.. Olivier Awards – The British equivalent to the Tony Awards.  Named for Sir Laurence Olivier (English actor, director, producer)

2.. Linear plot – One that follows a strict chronological order with no flashbacks or flashforwards.

3..Farce – From the French meaning to “stuff”. An extreme form of comedy that depends on quick tempo and flawless timing by the actors. It is ‘stuffed’ with far-fetched coincidences and improbable events.

4..Melpomene – The muse of tragedy.  One of 9 muses believed to inspire those working in the arts

5..Thalia – The muse of comedy.

6..Thespis – A Greek poet (550 – 500 BC) usually considered the founder of drama because he was the first one to use an actor in addition to the chorus in his plays

7.. Wings – The area directly off stage right and left where actors stand, waiting for their cues

8..Suspension of disbelief – The audience’s willingness to accept the illusion and conventions of a theatrical performance (like someone not hearing someone else standing a few feet away)

9.. Flat – A piece of scenery consisting of a wooden frame with canvas or muslin stretched over it.

10..Workshop production -  A work in progress.  The playwright and director continue to work on a play as they present it to either paying/non paying preview audience.  Things may be added or deleted as they go along.  Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine workshopped “Into the Woods” at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego before bringing it to Broadway.  In the process, they cut the 3 little pigs and Rumplestiltskin.