Spring 2023 Theatre Terms Final Exam Flashcards
Who is Stanislavski?
a Russian stage actor and director who developed the naturalistic performance technique known as the “Stanislavsky Method” or method acting.
What did Stanislavski teach us?
taught that actors must build a character’s behavior through specific, concrete, performable actions. The best actions are achievable on the stage, within the world of the play.
Objective
what the character wants, or what the character’s goal is.
Super Objective
the inner essence, the all-embracing goal, the objective of all objectives, the concentration of the entire score of the role, of all its major and minor units.
Tactic
how characters get what they want from other people on stage.
Beat
the smallest unit of action in a play (pause)
Obstacle
a person or object that stands in the way of your character achieving his or her objective.
Magic If
an actor putting him/herself in the character’s shoes within a certain scenario and asking the question ‘how would I react if this happened to me?
Given Circumstances
a set of dramaturgical tools an actor might use to determine the wider context of a character or scene. (in the script)
Subtext
the underlying meaning or message of a text that isn’t explicitly stated.
Props/Costumes
If you wear it, its a costume. If you hold it, its a prop.
Cold Reading
reading aloud from a script or other text with little or no rehearsal, practice or study in advance.
Time
particular time; time calls are given just before each.
Voice
an instrument which allows performers to communicate through speech and song.
Slate
the introduction portion of an audition tape or in-person audition for a feature film, television project, voice-over job, or commercial
Sides
a small section of the script actors are given before an audition for either a play, film or television show.
Crossing
moving from one part of the stage to another.
Cheating/Open
is to turn your face or entire body either out to the audience (or camera) to be seen better without completely turning (so it still looks natural, but you are not completely in profile) or to face in to conceal something.
Indicating
Showing what your character is feeling or doing without really feeling or doing, leading to a false and shallow performance
Proscenium
the frame or arch separating the stage from the auditorium, through which the action of a play is viewed.
Black Box
the room is typically, but not always, painted black which gives the appearance of anyplace.
Arena/Theatre in the Round
form of theatrical staging in which the acting area, which may be raised or at floor level, is completely surrounded by the audience.
Found/Store Front
a space that was not originally built as a theatre.
