Creative Expression Terms

alignment

The process of arranging the body's bones and muscles (especially those related to the spine) in a neutral and relaxed, yet centered and poised position.

articulation

The clear and clean shaping of sounds that make up words; sometimes called "diction". The act of enunciating speech clearly.

character

A person, animal, creature, or being in a story, play, poem, scene, scenario or monologue with a specific history as well as distinguishing physical, mental, psychological and emotional attributes.

characterization

The process by which the actor creates the essence of a believable person, animal creature or being. This process includes exploring the physical aesthetic of the character, their world, as ell as socioeconomic, spiritual and psychological dimensions.

concentration

The ability to focus and maintain energized attention upon a task, an object, an objective, an idea, an action and activity.

dramatic elements

(According to Aristotle) The six major elements of theatre and drama are plot, character, theme, dialogue, music and spectacle

ensemble

The synchronous blending of the physical, vocal, emotional, psychological, and imaginative talents of all of the performers involved in a scene or production.

focus

The point of concentration of a character, scene or action.

gesture

a physical movement that serves and expressive and communicaive function.

imagination

The ability to deal creatively with reality. The process of forming a mental picture of a person, object or setting that is not physically preent.

intonation

The spoken tones of the voice; pitch. To the actor, the use of pitch and how it does or does not change is important to conveying meaning and/or emotion.

point of view

The belief system that is at the core of a person or character; may be specific

projection

Speaking loudly and clearly enough to be heard by your audience.

relaxation

The act of causing the body, voice and psyche achieve a state of calm energy.

rhythm

The temporal patterning of a speech, a scene, a movement, a production.

sensory awareness

The training of one's perceptual skills to be fully aware of and to be able to articulate one's environment or circumstances as perceived via all five senses.

sculpture (blocking)

The position of an actor's body in relation to other actors on the stage.

taking a risk

Exploring emotional or dramatic turf that is not easy for an actor, as it can expose inner, personal emotions or history. Without this, acting is just superficial.

tension

The emotional, mental, psychological, physical electricity or stress between characters.

transformation

An improvisational process by which and actor changes their self physically, vocally or emotionally to the given stimuli.

trust

Being able to firmly reliy on another person or people involved in a scene or play for practical of emotional support.

transitions

The segues between emotional or psychological states of a character or scene.

vocal characteristics

Pitch, volume, intensity, rate, quality (all of which determines one's voice).

making a fool of yourself

This is essential to success as an actor. The ability to perform actions, activities, or dialogue in a scene or play that will cause tremendous laughter in the audience without the actor becoming self-conscious or embarrassed. This also goes to performing dramatic characters whose beliefs, opinions, actions, motivations, intentions, psychology, mental state, or points of view differ radically from your own.