Download How do actors talk about their work?

How do actors, directors,
technicians & designers
talk about their work?
They speak the
language of
STAGECRAFT
©2006 EvaMedia, Inc.
DRAMATIC MEDIA are …
• Means of telling
stories by way
of stage, film,
videotape, DVD,
radio, television,
or computer.
to AUDITION is …
• To try out for a role
• Also called
‘reading’ for a part
a CALL BACK is …
• Getting a
second audition
for the same role
• Similar to
‘making the cut’
in a sports tryout
BLOCKING is …
• The path an actor
creates on stage
• Usually determined by the director
(with assistance from actor)
• Often written down in a script using
common theatrical symbols
(X R means ‘cross down right’)
a CUE is …
• Something that
precedes and
prompts the next
line or action
• A signal to the
actors to begin
what happens next
• Can be visual or
aural
ELECTRICS are …
• Stage
lights,
including
their
mounts and
wiring
a BLACKOUT is …
• All stage lights
go off
simultaneously
and suddenly
• More abrupt than
‘fade to black’
PROPS are …
• Any objects,
except costumes
& scenery,
used onstage
• Can be hand
props or
set pieces
DRESS REHEARSAL is …
• Same as
performance,
but without an
audience (usually)
• A run-through of
the whole show
with tech, props &
costumes in place
DICTION is …
• Selection & clear
pronunciation of
words
• SPEAKING CLEARLY
PROJECTION is …
• How well the voice
carries to the
audience
• SPEAKING LOUDLY
ACOUSTICS means …
• The quality
of sound in a
room,
theatre, or
performance
space
the HOUSE is …
• Where the audience sits
FRONT OF HOUSE is …
• Box office
& lobby
of a theatre
the STAGE is …
• The acting area
• Where the actors perform
There are
3 kinds of STAGES:
• Proscenium
•Thrust
•Arena
PROSCENIUM is …
• The most
common type
of stage
• Walls that
‘frame’ the front
of the acting
area are called
the ‘proscenium
arch’
P
R
O
S
C
E
N
I
U
M
A
R
C
H
PROSCENIUM
ARCH
WINGS
(offstage)
STAGE
(ACTING AREA)
P
R
O
S
C
E
N
I
U
M
A
R
C
H
HOUSE
APRON
(front view)
a THRUST stage is …
HOUSE
(overhead view)
HOUSE
HOUSE
STAGE
• Acting area
extended
into the
house with
audience
seated on
three sides
an ARENA stage …
• Has audience
seated on all
sides
• Is sometimes
called ‘theatre
in the round’
(overhead view)
BACKSTAGE is …
• Hidden by scenery, walls
or proscenium
• Where cast & crew
can work unseen by
the audience
• Dressing rooms here
• Also called ‘wings,’
‘offstage’ or ‘off’
DOWNSTAGE is …
• Area of the
stage closest to
the audience
(UPSTAGE is stage
area farthest from
audience)
STAGE DIRECTIONS …
apron (front-of-stage)
DOWN
LEFT
DOWN
CENTER
DOWN
RIGHT
LEFT
RIGHT
CENTER CENTER CENTER
UP
LEFT
UP
CENTER
UP
RIGHT
• Standard, universal
• Prevents confusion
• Saves rehearsal
time
• Indicates locations
for actors, props,
scenery.
• From actor’s
perspective when
facing audience
(overhead view)
the COMPANY is …
• Everyone
associated
with the
production