Lesson3 Flashcards
comes from the Greek word “teatron” which means a place for
seeing.
theatre
As
a place for seeing, theatre has various types:
Proscenium/picture frame stage—the most widely- used type in the west
Arena stage/ theater in-the-round
Thrust or open stage—platform stage that thrusts out into the audience
Amphitheater –open air building
Black box –developed in the 1960’s in the US for inexpensive experimental work
It contains the story to be performed–the plot, setting, character, theme and
dialogue.
Script
The work of a director is extremely important in preparing any production
for the stage. The director is responsible for all the creative decisions. He collaborates with
the playwright, actors, designers and technicians to stage a play based on his/her
interpretation of the script.
Directing
Functions of Director
• Interprets the script
• Makes necessary decisions about style and approach of the play
• Selects the actors suited for the roles in the play (casting).
• Choreographs or blocks the movements.
• Is responsible for stage composition
• Controls rhythm and pace
• Does the polishing.
• Evaluates his work.
Notable Theater Directors
• Bertolt Brecht – Germany
• Elia Kazan – U. S.
• Peter Brook – Britain
• Peter Hall – Britain
• Julie Taymor – U.S.
It is the fundamental art of theatre
Acting
must be loud enough to be heard and understood by the audience, powerful,
well-modulated, must have good diction, must develop vocal variety to determine the
pitch and voice quality suitable for a particular role.
Voice
must have grace and physical control to enable him to move about the stage
in an easy and graceful manner.
Body
Duties of Actors
• Must study the script to understand the character he is playing and the play as a
whole.
• Must research the information about the character he is playing.
• Delivers his/her lines by speaking loudly and clearly
• Makes movements in such a manner that everyone may see and interpret his/her more
meaningful gestures.
• Confines himself/herself to the exact patterns that have been rehearsed so that his
fellow actors will be confused.
• “A good actor has done his role well when the audience could enter into his
character, and the actor could create a bond between himself and the audience.”
Performers are the most identified by audience
• Thespis
• Chorus
• In England, it was not until 19th century that actors achieved a respected social status
• Henry Irving received the first knighthood given to an actor.
• Early actors were males.
• Only prostitutes were allowed to appear on stage (Rome).
• Women began appearing on the French and English stage in the 17th century.
It is the most obvious visual element, and perhaps the largest in theater
production.
Set
Functions of Set
• Must provide an environment for acting.
• Must express the proper mood of the play.
• Should help establish the time and place of the action
• Must provide visual impact.
Set/Scene Designer
• Must study the script very carefully.
• Must be familiar with the stage blocking that the director has in mind.
• Notable Set Designer
• Adolphe Appia – Switzerland
• Gordon Craig – Britain
• Robert Edmond Jones & Lee Simonson – 1920’s Broadway
It makes the most continuous impact. Its details should be
coordinated/complemented with the stage direction and set.
Costume
Functions of Costumes
• To clothe the actor
• To help create mood
• To help establish the theme
• To establish time, place, and character relationships
• To add to the visual impact
Also known as ‘props’, it constitutes a highly important area of
backstage responsibility.
Properties
any decorative objects which hang upon, or are attached to the set
Trim props
objects standing about the floor of the set but not large enough to be
considered part of the set
Set props
objects picked up and used by the actors
Hand props
special effects which are manually done
Prop visual effects
any off-stage sounds created by other than electrical means
Prop sound effects
is usually left to the individual actor. Ancient Greeks, Romans,
Chinese wore masks instead of __________
Make-up
Kinds of Make-up
• Straight make-up – highlights the actor’s normal features
• Character make-up – transforms an actor’s features
• Fantasy make-up – alters the actor’s appearance
Functions of Make-up
• Helps make the features visible.
• Helps portray character.
• Adds to the mood, theme, and visual impact of the production.
• Helps beautify or disguise the actor.
_______, together with set and costumes, account for most of the
visual impact of a production.
Lights
Functions of Lights
• Provide necessary visibility.
• Help establish mood.
• Focus attention.
• Heighten realism.
Development in the Use of Lights in Theater
• Candles—first lighting to be used in theater
• Gas lamp – 1840
• Electric – 1879
Savoy Theater was first theater to use electricity
• Computerized light board
It was Adolphe Appia who first thought that light can be used as an artistic medium
It is a backstage mechanism
Sound
The following are sound mechanisms used in
the history of theater:
• Pit orchestra – orchestra located in the theatre pit which provides sound for incidental
and background music. It was used when modern technology for sound production
was not yet invented.
• Tape recorders
• Playback units
• Microphones
• mixers
• Amplifiers
• Elaborate speakers system
• Control consoles
It coordinates all the diverse activities in theater productions,
from directing to sound.
Stage management
handles the responsibilities from dress rehearsals to
actual performance.
Stage manager
