First Terms Flashcards
Act
1) Subdivision between sections of a play. A short play is a ‘One -Act-er’, a play with one interval has two Acts, etc. Acts are subdivided further into Scenes
2) The things Actors can do which makes them different
Audition
Process where the director or casting director of a production asks actors/ actresses/ performers to show him/her what they cant do. Sometimes very nerve-wracking, but auditions can be a fairly painless process if handled properly. Performers are often asked to memorize a monologue from a play they like to perform for the director. Books full of suggested monologues are available.
Backstage
The part of the stage and theatre which is out of the sight of the audience. The service areas of the theatre, behind, beside, or underneath the stage. Also refers to personnel who work in the technical departments that work to create the performance, alongside the actors and musicians.
Blackout
1) Complete absence of stage lighting. Blue working lights backstage should remain on and are usually under the control of the board, except during a Dead Blackout (DBO), when there is no onstage light. Exit signs and other emergency lighting must remain on at all times.
2) The act of turning off (or fading out) stage lighting
Blocking
The process of arranging moves to be made by the actors during the play, recorded by stage management in the prompt script. Positions at the start of scenes are noted, as are all movements around the stage (using terms such as Gardener X DSL’ meaning the Gardener crosses to downstage left. It must be described in minute detail, but simple enough to enable anyone to read and understand it. As well as being used to ‘run the show’ the prompt book is also used for the rehearsal of understudies.
Box Set
Naturalistic setting of a complete room built rom flats with only the side nearest the audience (The fourth wall) missing. A single static box that represents more than one room is called a COMPOSITE SET. (For example if the living room and the kitchen are both on stage permanently)
Break A Leg
A superstitious and widely accepted alternative to ‘Good Luck’ (Which is considered bad luck)
Call
A notification of a working session - posted on a Call Sheet on the stage door notice board, but is now often an online document, updated by the stage management team. A ‘Company Call’ means the full cast and called for rehearsal.
Cast
The members of an acting company. The cast list contains the names of the actors and the characters they’ll be playing.
Company
The cast, crew, and other staff associated with a show
Cue
The command given to tech. Departments to carry out a particular operation.
Dark
A venue that has been closed to the public.
Downstage
1) The part of the stage nearest to the audience. Lowest part of a rakes stage.
Flat
A lightweight timber frame covered with scenic canvas, or plywood. Flats are used to provide a lightweight and easy to move and reconfigure backdrop to a stage set.
Front Of House
1) Every part of the theatre in front of the procscenium arch, Includes foyer areas open to the general public.
2) All lanterns which are on the audience side of the proscenium and are focused forwards the stage.
