Test your knowledge

1 What is a theatre-in-the-round stage? a) A stage framed by an arch, which is like a window that frames the action b) A central performance area enclosed by the audience on all sides c) A stage that juts out into the audience, with the audience sitting on three sides d) When the stage and seating is not fixed and can be altered to suit the needs of the play or the whim of the director 2 What are props? a) The clothes that an actor wears in the performance of a play b) The objects that characters use in a play c) All the scenery, backdrops and furniture the audience sees at a production of a play d) The places where a drama or play is performed 3 What is a playwright? a) The person who designs the lighting b) The person who designs the costumes c) The person who writes the play d) The person who acts in the play 4 What are stage directions? a) The people who direct a play b) The sounds used in a play c) The places where the props and sets should go d) The playwright’s instructions to the actors as to what to do on stage 5 A stage juts out into the audience with the audience sitting on three sides. 6 A stage is framed by an arch, which is like a window that frames the action happening on stage. 7 Match the theatre job with the job description. Theatre job Job description Director The person who writes the script for the play Costume designer The person who designs the lighting for the stage Playwright The person who interprets the script and tells the actors how to perform Lighting director The person who chooses the clothes and make-up for the actors©The Educational Company of Ireland

8 Match the element of stagecraft with the explanation.

Element of stagecraft Explanation

Props The clothes that an actor wears in the performance of a play

Costume

All the scenery, backdrops and furniture the audience sees at a production of a play Lighting The objects that characters use in a play Sets The floor lights, spotlights and floodlights that a lighting director might use to create an effect or atmosphere 9 What might be important to know if you were designing a set for a play? 10 What are the three things that make up the sound of a play in the theatre? 11 How might a director use costume to tell the audience something? 12 What things must an actor consider before playing a part? 13 Thinking back on all you have learned in this unit, try the personal dictionary task on pages 109–110 of your activity book. Practise Your Writing Skills 1 Write a short scene using one of these prompts. A thief caught red-handed tries to convince a Garda that they are innocent. Two people have the exact same strange dream and tell each other about it. A singer is judged after her terrible performance on a TV talent show. A tiger has escaped from his cage at the zoo and people are panicking. A two-year-old has run away and his babysitter is frantically looking for him. 2 You have now been given the job of producing your one-scene play. Write a short paragraph on each of the points below. Explain what type of stage you would choose and why. Explain what props you would need and why. Explain how you would design the set and why. Describe the costumes you would choose for your characters and explain your choices. Interactive website Go to www.edco.ie/touchstones1 for interactive©The Educational Company of Ireland activities based on this unit.

SHAKESPEARE UNIT 5

Performances (page 175) Shakespeare’s Punctuation (page 177) Shakespeare’s Words (page 177) Shakespeare’s Grammar (page 182) Translating Shakespeare (page 185) Romeo and Juliet (page 186) A Midsummer Night’s Dream (page 190) Project: Who Was William Shakespeare?©The Educational Company of Ireland