live theatre vocab Flashcards
define ‘fillers’:
SPEECH/SONG
vocal mannerisms, e.g. fillers (‘like’, ‘y’know’, ‘what I mean’).
define slang, jargon, dialect:
SPEECH/SONG
slang: language used by a specific group of people (e.g. jargon: technical language used in a specific role or profession).
dialect: language used in a specific part of a country/historical era.
define cannon:
SPEECH/SONG
saying the same thing (or nearly) as other actors, one after the other, in quick succession.
define an aside/monologue/soliloquy:
SPEECH/SONG
characters breaking the 4th wall
- asides = quick internal thoughts
- monologue = speeches, often alone on stage
define duologue and overlapping dialogue:
SPEECH/SONG
duologue: dialogue between two characters (usually intense)
overlapping dialogue: can show anger/selfishness/disrespect/chaos.
define ‘ad-lib’ and ‘grammelot’:
SPEECH/SONG
ad-lib: space left in a script for totally improvised dialogue.
grammelot: ‘gibberish’ which can be slightly understood, e.g. like in minions.
define physical theatre:
PERFORMANCE
physical theatre: well-rehearsed, symbolic group movements.
define mirroring:
PERFORMANCE
actors copying each other’s actions on stage (usually for a reason!).
define soundscaping:
PERFORMANCE
actors creating background sounds - usually using their mouth/bodies - to reflect the action.
define ‘semiotics’:
SET DESIGN
use of symbols to represent something bigger - e.g. 1 single prop/set feature can ‘stand’ for a lot.
define ‘box set/black box theatre’:
SET DESIGN
- box sets are where the stage shows three realistic sides of a room.
- black box is where those three sides are black and minimal.
define ‘raked stage’:
SET DESIGN
making the back of the stage higher than the front, for effect.
define ‘rostrum’ and ‘stage blocks’:
SET DESIGN
stage blocks: a type of portable staging.
rostrum: a raised area on stage, e.g. using stage blocks.
define ‘scrim’:
SET DESIGN
fabric drop which is non-transparent when lit from the front, but semi-transparent when lit from behind.
define ‘flats’ and ‘flies’:
SET DESIGN
flats: big boards (usually wooden) used to create backdrops on the stage itself. sometimes reversible or rotatable.
flies: systems of ropes/pulleys allowing the stage crew to suspend set features, or to move them through the air.
define ‘cyclorama’:
SET DESIGN
a panoramic picture at the back of a stage as a background.
what are ‘stage dressings’:
SET DESIGN
props that stay in set positions on the stage - they aren’t handled by the actors. e.g. vases/paintings.
define ‘period/non period’:
COSTUME/MAKEUP
period costumes fit the particular historical period in which a play is set.
non-period costumes are clothing that doesn’t fit the era.
what are some keywords to do with hair?
COSTUME/MAKEUP
- style
- length
- colour
- ornaments
- wigs
what are the three categories makeup design can be broken into?
COSTUME/MAKEUP
- straight (enhances actor’s look/works with lighting).
- character (enhances character’s look).
- fantasy (monsters, etc. often includes special effects).
define ‘breaking down’:
COSTUME/MAKEUP
process of making a costume look older/tattier.
define ‘follow spots’:
LIGHTING
spotlights (hard-edges effect) that can follow action on stage.
define ‘fresnel’ (pronounced fray-nel):
LIGHTING
produces a soft-edged effect, often from above or behind.
define ‘house lights’:
LIGHTING
lights which bring the audience into view.
define ‘gobos’:
LIGHTING
colour filters which can be placed in front of lights with specific patterns - can be diffused across part of the stage.
define ‘snap’, ‘strobe’, and ‘cross-fade’:
LIGHTING
snap: very quick change in lighting.
strobe: flashing of lighting.
cross-fade: reducing one light while increasing a different one. (applies to sound too).
what words could be used to describe the angle of lighting?
LIGHTING
- backlight
- front light
- downlight
- sidelight
- angled light
what are the three categories SFX can be broken into?
- functional/practical (e.g. door knock)
- atmospheric (e.g. music)
- incidental (e.g. birds, trains, etc.)
define ‘diegetic sound’:
sounds really heard by characters in the world of the stage.
- live sound
- recorded sound (e.g. record player, phone ringing in another room).
define ‘non-diegetic sound’:
sounds heard only be the audience, not the characters.
- atmospheric music (underscored/major/minor)
- recorded sound effects
define reverb:
an echo, for effect.
give examples of amplification:
using microphones (head mics?) and speakers to increase the volume of actors’ voices on stage.
