first thing that comes to mind? For me, it's kimo- nos and white face makeup. Kabuki actors were trained in many areas to include dancing, sing- ing, pantomime, and even acrobatics. Kabuki was similar to many other styles of the time in that men played all the roles in a given play! There are three main categories or plot top- ics for this style of play: the historical play, the domestic play, and the dance. The sets for kabuki plays were always similar. There was a walkway or ramp that extended into the audi- ence that was used for the actors' entrances and exits. This type of staging brought the actors much closer to the audience and made a more personal and intimate approach. Over time the sets became more complicated as innovations like trap doors and revolving stages were invented. There are a few traditional characteris- tics of kabuki. I have already mentioned the kimonos and makeup. The white makeup is made from rice powder base and is used to exaggerate facial features in order to help create animal and more mystical characters. Another traditional part of kabuki is posing. The actors will pose, creating traditional sil- houettes that are easily recognizable to the audience. This all helps to further the different plot lines. Have you ever seen posing used in a different art form, perhaps with music?