VCE Theatre Studies Terminology (2019 - 2023 Study Design)

Theatre production processes

Planning, Development and Presentation.

Planning

The first stage of the production process which includes introduction to the script, annotation, exploring and establishing initial concepts and aims for the production, undertaking dramaturgy, and evaluation of this stage of the production process

Development

The second stage of the production process which includes exploring, making, reflecting, trialing and refining to achieve production aims, and evaluation of this stage of the production process

Presentation

The final stage of the production process which includes bumping-in, technical/dress rehearsals, performances, bumping-out, and evaluation of this stage of the production process.

Context/s

The circumstances surrounding a play and its interpretation for an audience. This may include the time and place in which the play is set and was written, influences on the playwright, the language of the script, circumstances associated with the play and the possibilities for interpreting a script.

Theatre Technologies

Diverse theatre-specific and other technologies are used in theatre productions. Mechanical, digital and electronic technologies (not lighting and sound).

Dramaturgy

Research into a play to inform an interpretation of it. This may include the contexts of the play, its intended meanings, the background of the playwright, previous productions of the play and the theatre styles of the play. It is part of the production process and may be applied at any stage and in any production role; it is not a separate stage of the production process. Can include processes such as text-based research and/or workshops.

Production Roles

The term used to describe an area of work in theatre production. Acting, directing, costume design, makeup design, props design, set design, lighting design, sound design.

Theatre Styles

The traditions of theatre that are accepted as conventional and are particular to specific times, places, peoples and cultures.

Cohesion

The unity and balance of various aspects of the interpretation. One of the elements of theatre composition.

Motion

the movement or implied movement of actors and design features in the theatre space. This may include position, pattern, arrangement, proportion and spatial flow. One of the elements of theatre composition.

Rhythm

The pace, timing and tempo within the interpretation. One of the elements of theatre composition.

Emphasis

Aspects of the interpretation are given a particular focus, importance or prominence. One of the elements of theatre composition.

Contrast

Juxtaposition of seemingly different or opposing aspects or qualities within the interpretation. One of the elements of theatre composition.

Variation

Changes to the dynamics of the interpretation, as may be evident in the use of tension, conflict, intensity, energy and use of the space. One of the elements of theatre composition.

Script

A text used for a theatre performance. May be an entire play or excerpts from plays.

Acting skills

Used by the actor/s to realise character/s. Include voice, gesture, movement, facial expression, stillness and silence.

Focus

The ability of a performer to portray and maintain a characterisation, and their ability to direct the audeince's attention on aspects of the performance

Actor-Audience Relationship

The way in which an actor deliberately manipulates the audience's emotions, moods and responses to the action. This can be done through the placement of the performer in relation to the audience, the way the actor addresses and engages the audience, and the emotional and intellectual response to the character's situation. It can only exists as part of an actual performance.

Scene

Segment/s or excerpt/s of a script.