Comprehensive Review for Theatre Final Examination

Blocking

The director's arrangement of the actor's movements on stage with respect to one another and stage space.

Purposes of Blocking

-tell the story

-develop characterization

-set mood and atmosphere

-create suspense

Why downstage is called "Down" Discuss raked stages.

Because stages used to be raked/tilted

Below

- Towards the audience

-"Downstage of"

Above

- Away from the audience

- "Upstage of"

In

Towards the Center of the stage

Out

Away from the Center of the stage

Onstage

The part of the stage that is visible to the audience

Offstage

All parts of the stage that is NOT visible to the audience

Backstage

Usually the entire stage portion of the theatre building. Audience cannot see Backstage

Wings

Offstage space at the right and left of the acting areas.

House

Where the audience sits (sometimes called auditorium)

Front of House

The lobby, Box Office... Where we greet the audience.

Body Positions

(Left to right, top to bottom). Full back, 3/4 Right, 3/4 Left, Profile Right, Profile Left, 1/4 Right, 1/4 Left, Full Front

Open

Turned toward audience

Closed

Turned away from audiences

Share

2 actors share a scene when they are equally open.

Give, Take

When 2 actors are not equal: one with the greater emphasis is said to "take the scene" and the other gives the scene.

Upstaging

an actor takes focus from another scene

Cross

Movement from one area to another

Counter Cross

Moving in the opposite direction and out of the way of another actor who is moving across the stage

Curved Cross

A cross around an object above or below to another area

Cover (should be avoided)

When an actor obstructs view of another actor

Dress Stage

A direction given to actors to adject their positions to improve the stage picture.

Stage Business

Small actions such as eating, telephoning, using a fan

Stage Properties

Objects used on stage

Hand Props

Small objects actors carry on stage, such as teacups

Personal Props

Hand props that are carried on the actor's person

Prop Table

Where props are stored

Ad Lib

Making up lines

Aside

A line that other actors onstage are not supposed to be hearing

Climax

High point

Build

To increase the tempo or volume in order to reach a climax

Cue

The last word of a speech (actors must memorize their cues as well as their lines).

Pick-up cues

a direction for the actor to begin speaking immediately on cue without allowing any lapse of time

Pointing

Giving special emphasis to a word or phrase

Tag line

the last line of a scene or act

Telescoping

Overlapping speech

Top

To "build" a line higher than the one that preceded it.

Act

Division of a play

Apron

the Front Play of the Stage

Auditions, Tryouts

When directors see actors in order to cast

Cold Readings

The director will give actor the reading at the tryout

Prepared Reading

The actor will prepare a short reading, or song for the tryout/audition

Open Audition

All actors are in the theatre during everyone's tryout. (do not clap during auditions)

Closed Audition

Actors audition with director only

Back Drop

the drop furthest upstage

Backing

A drop or flat used outside a door or window

Black-out

A direction for stage ligths to go out

Call Board

A bulletin board for information for actors

Call Tine

The time actors and techs have to report for a show (usually 2 hrs before curtain)

Character Part

A role that decpicts someone elderly or unusual or eccentric

Cheating

When an actor turns more open - the direction is "Cheat out"

Clear Stage

a direction to leave the stage

Closing

The last performance of a production

Company, Troupe

A group of actors who perform together either in an individual play or season

Concentration, Focus

Giving complete attention to somethign

Crowd Scenes

Scenes involving a number of extras or bit players

Curtain Call

When actors bow at the end of a play

Curtain Line

Imaginary line where the curtain closes

Dialogue

The lines spoken by the characters in a play

Double

To play more than one role in a single play

Ensemble Actig

A pay where there are no leads - the actors all have equal parts

Exit

To leave the stage

Extra

A small nonspeaking part, soliders, townspeople, etc.

Flats

the WALLS of set. Muslin or Luan covered frames

Flies

The space above the stage in which scenery is suspended

Fourth Wall

In an interior set, the imaginary side of the room towards the audience

Grand Drape, Front Curtain

Main Curtain (Blue Blue)

Given Circumstances

Any unchangeable fact that affects the playing of the scene

Green Room

A room where actors wait in

Gridiron

The framework from which flies hang

Ground Plan, Floor plan

An arrangement of doors, windows, furniture, etc.

Improvisation

Spontaneous invention of lines and business

Indicating (SHOULDN'T DO THIS)

Performing an action without motivation

Intention

The actor's real reason for performing an action.

Lights up, Lights out

A direction for lights to go on or off

Monologue

a long speech for a single actor in a play

Motivation

Why the character acts

Mugging (shouldn't do this)

exaggerated facial expressions

Opening

The first performance of a production

Pacing

Rate of speed that actors speak lines, pick up cues, and perform their actions

Places

A direction for actors to be in proper position for beginning of scene or act

Prompt

To give an actor the beginning of line (so they remember the rest of the line)

Proscenium

The curved archway dividing the stage from the house

Run-through

An uninterrupted rehearsal of scene, act, or entire play.

Running order

The order of scenes in a play

Stealing

1. The actor makes a movement that the audience should notice

2. The actor steals the scnene

Straight Part

A role without marked eccentricities, like a leading man or leading lady part

Strike

To take apart the set

Subtext

The meaning behind the words

Trap

An opening in the stage floor

Walk-on

A small part without lines, like an extra

Venue

The type of space in which a production is performed