THEA 105 Midterm 1 Exam Questions
and
Answers | 2026 Update | 100% Correct -
PSU.
Section 1: Acting Fundamentals
Question 1
Which acting teacher believed an actor was similar to an anthropologist, researching the
character's world extensively?
A) Sanford Meisner
B) Jerzy Grotowski
C) Stella Adler
D) George II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen
Answer: C) Stella Adler
Rationale: Stella Adler emphasized extensive research and understanding of a
character's world, comparing the actor's process to that of an anthropologist studying a
culture .
Question 2
What is the name of the ancient Sanskrit text that serves as a guide to all elements of
drama and dance in Eastern theatre?
A) The Mahabharata
B) The Ramayana
C) The Natya Sastra
D) The Bharata
,Answer: C) The Natya Sastra
Rationale: The Natya Sastra is the foundational text for Sanskrit drama, covering all
aspects of performance including acting, dance, music, and stagecraft .
Question 3
True or False: Actor training in the East is very different from training in the West.
A) True
B) False
Answer: A) True
Rationale: Eastern acting traditions, such as those in Sanskrit theatre, Japanese Noh, and
Chinese opera, follow highly stylized and codified systems that differ fundamentally
from Western realistic approaches .
Question 4
Stanislavski's two-part exploration of character is known as:
A) The Method
B) The System
C) The Technique
D) The Approach
Answer: B) The System
Rationale: Konstantin Stanislavski developed a systematic approach to acting that he
called "The System," which focused on creating believable, psychologically motivated
performances .
Question 5
Which of these tasks does an actor NOT typically do between formal rehearsals?
A) Memorize lines
B) Talk to the playwright
,C) Attend costume fittings
D) Develop the vocal life of the character
Answer: B) Talk to the playwright
Rationale: While actors may occasionally interact with playwrights, it is not a standard
task between rehearsals. Actors focus on line memorization, costume fittings, and vocal
development .
Question 6
The union created to protect actors working in the theatre is called:
A) Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers
B) Screen Actors Guild
C) Actors Equity Association
D) American Federation of Theatre Artists
Answer: C) Actors Equity Association
Rationale: Actors Equity Association (AEA) is the labor union representing actors and
stage managers in the American theatre industry .
Question 7
True or False: All shows rehearse for a maximum of three weeks.
A) True
B) False
Answer: B) False
Rationale: Rehearsal periods vary widely depending on the production. Major Broadway
shows may rehearse for months, while smaller productions might have shorter rehearsal
schedules .
Question 8
True or False: Jerzy Grotowski revolutionized directing by eliminating the Star System.
, A) True
B) False
Answer: B) False
Rationale: While Grotowski revolutionized theatre through his "Poor Theatre" concept, it
was George II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, who is credited with eliminating the Star
System and emphasizing ensemble work .
Question 9
The foundation of Sanford Meisner's acting technique is:
A) To pretend under imaginary circumstances
B) Emotional recall
C) Psychophysical actions
D) The magic if
Answer: A) To pretend under imaginary circumstances
Rationale: Meisner's technique is based on "living truthfully under imaginary
circumstances," emphasizing spontaneous, reactive behavior rather than pre-planned
emotional responses .
Question 10
Which of these elements is NOT one of the jobs performed by a traditional Western
director?
A) Historical Research
B) Assembling a staff
C) Script analysis
D) Designing the sets and costumes
Answer: D) Designing the sets and costumes
Rationale: While directors collaborate with designers, the actual design work is typically
handled by specialized set and costume designers. Directors focus on interpreting the
script and guiding the overall production .
and
Answers | 2026 Update | 100% Correct -
PSU.
Section 1: Acting Fundamentals
Question 1
Which acting teacher believed an actor was similar to an anthropologist, researching the
character's world extensively?
A) Sanford Meisner
B) Jerzy Grotowski
C) Stella Adler
D) George II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen
Answer: C) Stella Adler
Rationale: Stella Adler emphasized extensive research and understanding of a
character's world, comparing the actor's process to that of an anthropologist studying a
culture .
Question 2
What is the name of the ancient Sanskrit text that serves as a guide to all elements of
drama and dance in Eastern theatre?
A) The Mahabharata
B) The Ramayana
C) The Natya Sastra
D) The Bharata
,Answer: C) The Natya Sastra
Rationale: The Natya Sastra is the foundational text for Sanskrit drama, covering all
aspects of performance including acting, dance, music, and stagecraft .
Question 3
True or False: Actor training in the East is very different from training in the West.
A) True
B) False
Answer: A) True
Rationale: Eastern acting traditions, such as those in Sanskrit theatre, Japanese Noh, and
Chinese opera, follow highly stylized and codified systems that differ fundamentally
from Western realistic approaches .
Question 4
Stanislavski's two-part exploration of character is known as:
A) The Method
B) The System
C) The Technique
D) The Approach
Answer: B) The System
Rationale: Konstantin Stanislavski developed a systematic approach to acting that he
called "The System," which focused on creating believable, psychologically motivated
performances .
Question 5
Which of these tasks does an actor NOT typically do between formal rehearsals?
A) Memorize lines
B) Talk to the playwright
,C) Attend costume fittings
D) Develop the vocal life of the character
Answer: B) Talk to the playwright
Rationale: While actors may occasionally interact with playwrights, it is not a standard
task between rehearsals. Actors focus on line memorization, costume fittings, and vocal
development .
Question 6
The union created to protect actors working in the theatre is called:
A) Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers
B) Screen Actors Guild
C) Actors Equity Association
D) American Federation of Theatre Artists
Answer: C) Actors Equity Association
Rationale: Actors Equity Association (AEA) is the labor union representing actors and
stage managers in the American theatre industry .
Question 7
True or False: All shows rehearse for a maximum of three weeks.
A) True
B) False
Answer: B) False
Rationale: Rehearsal periods vary widely depending on the production. Major Broadway
shows may rehearse for months, while smaller productions might have shorter rehearsal
schedules .
Question 8
True or False: Jerzy Grotowski revolutionized directing by eliminating the Star System.
, A) True
B) False
Answer: B) False
Rationale: While Grotowski revolutionized theatre through his "Poor Theatre" concept, it
was George II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen, who is credited with eliminating the Star
System and emphasizing ensemble work .
Question 9
The foundation of Sanford Meisner's acting technique is:
A) To pretend under imaginary circumstances
B) Emotional recall
C) Psychophysical actions
D) The magic if
Answer: A) To pretend under imaginary circumstances
Rationale: Meisner's technique is based on "living truthfully under imaginary
circumstances," emphasizing spontaneous, reactive behavior rather than pre-planned
emotional responses .
Question 10
Which of these elements is NOT one of the jobs performed by a traditional Western
director?
A) Historical Research
B) Assembling a staff
C) Script analysis
D) Designing the sets and costumes
Answer: D) Designing the sets and costumes
Rationale: While directors collaborate with designers, the actual design work is typically
handled by specialized set and costume designers. Directors focus on interpreting the
script and guiding the overall production .
