Production Elements

Question 1

Actor’s Neutral

Answer 1

Involves standing in a position without emotion/character. The body is relaxed, back straight, feet apart, and facing forward.

Question 2

Cheating Out

Answer 2

Involves turning your body out so that the audience can see more of you.

Question 3

Blocking/Masking

Answer 3

Refers to an actor or object physically hiding/obscuring the view of an actor on stage.

Question 4

Blocking/Staging

Answer 4

Refers to the physical movement on stage. These movement are planned ahead of time and rehearsed. .

Question 5

Cue

Answer 5

A line or action that tells you you are on. Can refer to when one enters the stage or when one needs to say a line. This is also useful to tech.

Question 6

The Fourth Wall

Answer 6

“Invisible” and separates the actors from the audience. It is “broken” when an actor aknowledegs the audience.

Question 7

Standby

Answer 7

A term used before a performance or show to ensure everyone is ready. This happens right before the blackout to commence the show or performance.

Question 8

Upstaging

Answer 8

When an actor draws or steals attention away from another performer or the action of the show. It causes the audience to look at them and not what they should be looking at. It’s NOT a good thing!

Question 9

Curtain Call

Answer 9

This is when the actors come on stage at the end of the performance and bow. It is organized and rehearsed as part of the performance.

Question 10

Offbook

Answer 10

When actors have completely memorized their lines. In other words, they will be rehearsing without a script in their hands.

Question 11

Setting

Answer 11

To put all of the set pieces and props on stage.

Question 12

Striking

Answer 12

To deconstruct or put away all set pieces and props.

Question 13

Costume Design

Answer 13

Any article of clothing an actor wears on their body. It helps the audience understand who the character is (job, personality, status, role in the story, likes/dislikes, etc).

Question 14

Prop Design

Answer 14

An item held/used by a character that is either part of the character or related to the scene. It helps create the setting or understand who the character is (cane, book, pen, pencil, etc).

Question 15

Set Design

Answer 15

Tells the audience where the action takes place.

Made up of furniture, flats, props and scenery that represent the setting for the audience.

Question 16

Lighting Design

Answer 16

Focus: where you want the audience to look and what you want them to see
Mood: the feeling you want to emphasize for the audience
Modeling: shaping an object with lights and shadows
Setting: time of day etc.

Question 17

Sound Design

Answer 17

Conveys emotion and meaning. It can be used to describe setting, circumstances, characters & convey action. Options include:

              1. Dialogue                      3. Music
              2. Sound Effects             4. Silence

Question 18

Hair/Makeup Design

Answer 18

Ensures that actors’ facial expressions are visible to the audience
Supports costume design by helping to present a character to the audience ex. Aging technique may be used to add wrinkles to an older character.

Question 19

Proscenium Arch

Answer 19

The large opening that allows the audience to see what’s happening onstage. Think “photo frame” of the stage.

Question 20

Audience/House

Answer 20

Where the audience sits. These areas are given from the audience’s perspective.

Question 21

Apron

Answer 21

Extends past the proscenium arch and moves out towards the house. In some theatres, the ______can be removed to reveal an orchestra pit!

Question 22

Wings

Answer 22

These are the areas directly offstage located left and right, where actors enter & exit from. Some people call them backstage.