design key terminology

Question 1

what are the 4 main staging shapes?

Answer 1

theatre in the round
end on (sometimes referred to as proscenium arch)
thrust stage
traverse

Question 2

proscenium arch (end on):

Answer 2

large arch, through which the audience views the performance
most commonly used staging

Question 3

advantages of proscenium arch (end on):

Answer 3

audiences kept distant from performers as acting area is separate
elaborate set and costume can be used as easier to change
lighting the performance is easier as you don’t have to consider effects on audience
easier to create 4th wall

Question 4

disadvantages of proscenium arch (end on):

Answer 4

less intimate
audience not close to heard to make out small details
view of action can be restricted

Question 5

theatre in the round:

Answer 5

audience is located on all 4 sides of stage

Question 6

advantages of theatre in the round:

Answer 6

audience nearby so provokes a feeling of intimacy and involvement
entrances and exits can be made through audience
audience feels part of performance
props and see will be used creativity as no backdrop can be used

Question 7

disadvantages of theatre in the round:

Answer 7

careful about scenery that doesn’t mask actors and part if the stage from audience
backdrop and curtains cannot be used
lighting is difficult as actors have to be lit from all 4 sides without blinding audience

Question 8

traverse stage:

Answer 8

audience is on two sides of acting area - catwalk
mostly used in modern theatre spaces

Question 9

advantages of traverse stage:

Answer 9

actors can enter from upstage or downstage
backdrop or cyclorama can be used
audience close to action

Question 10

disadvantages of traverse stage:

Answer 10

restrict view of some audience members
difficult when positioning lights

Question 11

pitch:

Answer 11

speaking in a low, high or natural voice

Question 12

pause:

Answer 12

a dramatic pause or silence at key moments can hold tension and emotion

Question 13

tempo or pace:

Answer 13

speed in which someone talks

Question 14

tone and expression:

Answer 14

suggesting your mood and intention towards the listener

Question 15

volume:

Answer 15

effect of a charter speaking loud, quiet or using a stage whisper

Question 16

accent:

Answer 16

indicating where someone is from and their status in society

Question 17

emphasis:

Answer 17

the pressure on certain words to make them stand out

Question 18

intonation:

Answer 18

the rise and fall in your voice, helping us say what we mean

Question 19

posture and stance:

Answer 19

the position in which a character holds their body
confident character - very upright posture

Question 20

pace of movement:

Answer 20

does a chapter move slowly or quickly? queen might move slowly - indicating their power and status

Question 21

gait:

Answer 21

persons manner of walking

Question 22

questures:

Answer 22

communication through hands and other parts of their body

Question 23

facial expression:

Answer 23

face used to convey an emotional state

Question 24

eye contact:

Answer 24

used to establish status, control and passion

Question 25

what do you need to mention when talking about costume?

Answer 25

colour
shape
fabric
texture
condition
top to toe and heat to toe design

Question 26

what can costume communicate?

Answer 26

relationship between characters
social status ( rich vs poor, cleanliness, quality of fabric)
age (fashionable vs out of style, layers for old people, less clothes for young, hair and makeup)

Question 27

sound can be diagetic:

Answer 27

when the source of the sound comes within the characters world
for example, a door creaking, character switching on radio

Question 28

sound can be non-diagetic:

Answer 28

type of sound that does not specifically exist within the world of the play

Question 29

sound can be live or pre-recorded:

Answer 29

microphones: amplifies actors voice, head mic or handheld
effects can be put on mic: reverb

Question 30

live music or SFX:

Answer 30

a band or orchestra could be incorporated into performance
music can be played underscoring and supporting the actors
actors can use instruments or props to create music and sound

Question 31

soundscape:

Answer 31

use of sounds that are layered to create a mood and atmosphere

often sounds used might be natural, once you would expect to find in a particular location

Question 32

diagetic lighting:

Answer 32

originates within the world of the story, might be a lamp or sunlight coming through a window

Question 33

transitions of lighting:

Answer 33

crossfade, one lighting state fades into the next
snap, where one lighting state immediately moves into the next

Question 34

spotlight:

Answer 34

hard edged effect, used to light characters or elements on the stage

Question 35

floodlight:

Answer 35

clear wide angled light

Question 36

fresnel:

Answer 36

softer edged effect, good for overall light when used with others

Question 37

strobe light:

Answer 37

a flashing light used for special effects

Question 38

gobos:

Answer 38

can create texture on a stage

Question 39

coloured gels:

Answer 39

added to lights to add colour to lighting

Question 40

purpose of lighting design:

Answer 40

illuminating action on stage
convey settling and time of day
creating mood and atmosphere
focusing audiences attention
communicating themes or symbols

Question 41

raked seating and stage:

Answer 41

useful for slight lines

Question 42

set dressing:

Answer 42

smaller items that are details to a set such as stage furniture to establish settling and era

Question 43

cyclorama:

Answer 43

used for projection and backing images to support the mood

Question 44

stage makeup
base:

Answer 44

first layer of makeup

Question 45

stage makeup
shadow:

Answer 45

used after applying base so certain features are not accentuated

Question 46

stage makeup
highlight:

Answer 46

put on to make an area of skin stand out

Question 47

stage makeup
eyeliner:

Answer 47

makeup used around the eyes to make them more noticeable

Question 48

stage makeup
blush:

Answer 48

to redden an area of the face

Question 49

stage makeup
powder:

Answer 49

to prevent smudging and an oily look

Question 50

stage makeup
jowl:

Answer 50

hanging part under jaw