Semester 1 Flashcards
“Yes, and”
To accept a new piece of information and build upon it during improvisation.
Stage Directions
Instructions in the script indicating actors’ movements or production requirements.
Cross
To move from one area of the stage to another
Upstaging
Improperly taking attention from an actor who should be the focus of interest either by action or placement on stage
Counter-Cross
A shifting of position by two or more actors to balance the stage picture
Open-Up/Cheat-Out
To position the front of your body towards the audience
Stage-Picture
When everyone and everything can be appropriately seen by the audience.
Enter
To come on the stage
Exit
To leave the stage
Ad-Lib
To improvise stage business or dialogue
Backstage
Any parts of the theatre which the audience will not see
Blocking Yourself
Acting behind furniture or other performers so that you cannot be seen by the audience
Business
Physical activity done by the actor, other than the blocking, such as picking up a book or turning on a TV
Blocking
Coordination of when and where actors moves on stage
Cue
A signal for something to happen, such as dialogue, action, or technical effect
Punch/Hit
To emphasize a word or line with extra force
Holding for laughs
Waiting for the audience to quiet down after a funny moment
Milk
To draw the maximum audience response from comic lines or action
Overlap
To speak when someone else is speaking
Props (Properties)
Any object an actor handles on stage
Places
The positions of the actors at the opening of an act or scene
Jump the line/cue
To start a line before another performer finishes the previous line
Projection
To make your voice fill the performing space
Pitch
Variation in high and low register of voice
Pace
The speed at which words are said
Pronunciation
To say or speak a word correctly
Vocal Characterization
The combination of pitch, pace, inflection, and accent for a specific character.
Pick Up
To speed up the pace of dialogue and action
