Terminology Flashcards
Playwright
Writing the script of the play, making dialogue and stage directions
Performer
Appear in a production such as acting, singing or dancing. Creating a performance or assuming a role on stage in front of an audience
Lighting designer
Designing the lighting states and effects that will be used in the performance. Understanding the technical abilities if the theatre and creating a lighting plot
Costume designer
Designing what the actors must wear on stage. Making sure that costumes are appropriate for the style and period of the piece. Ensuring the costumes fit the actors.
Sound designer
Designing the sound required for the performance, this may include music and sound effects. Considering if application such as the use of microphones is needed and creating a sound plot.
Understudy
Learning a part, including lines and movements, so they are able to take over a role for someone if needed when there is a planned or unexpected absence
Set designer
Designing the set of the play and the set dressing (objects placed on the stage) providing sketches and other design materials before overseeing the creation of the set.
Stage manager
Running the backstage elements of the play and supervising the backstage crew. Organising the rehearsal schedule and keeping lists of props and other technical needs. Creating a prompt book and calling cues for the performance.
Before rehearsals:
- Playwright prepares a script
- Director studies play, decides concept
- Designers (set/costume/lighting/sound/puppet) research play/context, develops design ideas
- Director casts performers
During rehearsals:
- Director rehearses performers
- Performers learn lines and blocking
- Stage manager creates rehearsal schedules and prop lists; notes blocking; creates prompt book
- Costume designers organise so time fittings for performers
- Understudy learns the roles they are covering
- Set designer ensures that set is built and operates correctly
- Sound and lighting designers create plot sheets and cues for sound and lighting
- Puppet designer makes and provides puppets for rehearsals
- Technicians run technical elements during technical rehearsals and dress rehearsals
In performance
- Stage management ensures smooth running of show; ‘calls’ the show by announcing cues to cast and technicians.
- Technicians operate sound and lighting equipment.
- Theatre manager oversees operation of front of house and box office.
- Performers appear before audience and perform their roles
- Understudy is prepared to go on in case of an absent performer.
Puppet designer
Designing puppets for a production, thinking about the style of the puppets and how they’ll be operated.
Technician
Operating the technical equipment, such as lighting and sound boards, during the performance.
Theatre manager
Overseeing the creative aspects of the production. Developing a concept or central unifying idea for the production. Liaising with designers, rehearsing the actors and ensuring that all technical elements of the play are ready. Giving notes to the actors to help improve their performances and agreeing the blocking of the characters.
Theatre manager
Running the theatre building, including overseeing the front of house staff (ushers) and the box office staff who sell tickets.
All of these roles are:
Theatre makers
Stage positions:
Upstage: Upstage right. Upstage centre. Upstage left
Centre stage: Centre stage. Offstage left
Downstage: Downstage right. Downstage centre. Downstage left
Offstage right
Audience
In the round
When the audience are seated on all sides of the stage.
In the round advantages
-very dynamic
-actors exit through the audience which can make them feel more engaged
In the round disadvantages
-cannot use backdrops or flats
-stage furniture has to be chosen very carefully
-actors have to be carefully blocked
Proscenium arch
Common form of theatre, popular for larger theatres or opera houses. Proscenium refers to the frame around the stage. The area in front of the arch is called an apron.
PA advantages
- the audience can roughly look at the stage from the same angle
- backdrops and large scenery can be used
- the frame gives the effect of the fourth wall
PA disadvantages
Some audience members may feel distant from the stage
It could seem very formal and rigid
Audience interaction may seem more difficult
Thrust stage
The stage protrudes into the audience
TS advantages
No audience on one side of the stage
Backdrop, flats and large scenery can be used
The audience may feel closer to the stage
TS disadvantages
Sight lines for those on either side may be limited
The audience on the right and left have the audience in view
Box sets (a set with three complete walls) cannot be used
Traverse
The acting area is a long, central space with the audience seated on either side facing each other
Traverse advantages
The audience feel very close yo the stage
They can see the audience on the other side’s reactions which could work well for audience interaction
Sometimes extreme ends of the stage can be used to create extra acting area
Traverse disadvantages
Big pieces of scenery or backdrops can block sight lines
The acting area is long and thin which can be hard for blocking and movement
Actors must be aware of making themselves visible to both sides of the audience
Lighting for traverse stages needs to be arranged carefully to avoid shining lights into the audience’s eyes or light spilling into them unnecessarily
End on
Similar to proscenium stage but doesn’t have a proscenium frame
End on advantages
The audience all have similar view \stage pictures are easy to create
Large backdrops or projections may be used
End on disadvantages
Audience members in the back rows may feel distant
It doesn’t have a proscenium stage which can enhance some stagings
It may not have wing or fly areas
Promenade theatre
To promenade means “to walk”, so promenade theatre is when the audience stand or follow the actors through the performance. This may occur in a convention theatre space or it may be designed for a site specific show when an unconventional space is used for production
Promenade advantages
This is interactive and exciting where the audience may feel very involved
Promenade disadvantages
The audience may get tired
There could be health and safety risks
Actors and crew need to be skilful in moving the audience and keeping them engaged
