Terminology

Question 1

Playwright

Answer 1

Writing the script of the play, making dialogue and stage directions

Question 2

Performer

Answer 2

Appear in a production such as acting, singing or dancing. Creating a performance or assuming a role on stage in front of an audience

Question 3

Lighting designer

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Costume designer

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Sound designer

Answer 5

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.

Question 6

Understudy

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Set designer

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Stage manager

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Before rehearsals:

Answer 9

1. Playwright prepares a script
2. Director studies play, decides concept
3. Designers (set/costume/lighting/sound/puppet) research play/context, develops design ideas
4. Director casts performers

Question 10

During rehearsals:

Answer 10

1. Director rehearses performers
2. Performers learn lines and blocking
3. Stage manager creates rehearsal schedules and prop lists; notes blocking; creates prompt book
4. Costume designers organise so time fittings for performers
5. Understudy learns the roles they are covering
6. Set designer ensures that set is built and operates correctly
7. Sound and lighting designers create plot sheets and cues for sound and lighting
8. Puppet designer makes and provides puppets for rehearsals
9. Technicians run technical elements during technical rehearsals and dress rehearsals

Question 11

In performance

Answer 11

1. Stage management ensures smooth running of show; ‘calls’ the show by announcing cues to cast and technicians.
2. Technicians operate sound and lighting equipment.
3. Theatre manager oversees operation of front of house and box office.
4. Performers appear before audience and perform their roles
5. Understudy is prepared to go on in case of an absent performer.

Question 12

Puppet designer

Answer 12

Designing puppets for a production, thinking about the style of the puppets and how they’ll be operated.

Question 13

Technician

Answer 13

Operating the technical equipment, such as lighting and sound boards, during the performance.

Question 14

Theatre manager

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

Theatre manager

Answer 15

Running the theatre building, including overseeing the front of house staff (ushers) and the box office staff who sell tickets.

Question 16

All of these roles are:

Answer 16

Theatre makers

Question 17

Stage positions:

Answer 17

Upstage: Upstage right. Upstage centre. Upstage left
Centre stage: Centre stage. Offstage left
Downstage: Downstage right. Downstage centre. Downstage left

Offstage right
Audience

Question 18

In the round

Answer 18

When the audience are seated on all sides of the stage.

Question 19

In the round advantages

Answer 19

-very dynamic
-actors exit through the audience which can make them feel more engaged

Question 20

In the round disadvantages

Answer 20

-cannot use backdrops or flats
-stage furniture has to be chosen very carefully
-actors have to be carefully blocked

Question 21

Proscenium arch

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

PA advantages

Answer 22

• 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

Question 23

PA disadvantages

Answer 23

Some audience members may feel distant from the stage
It could seem very formal and rigid
Audience interaction may seem more difficult

Question 24

Thrust stage

Answer 24

The stage protrudes into the audience

Question 25

TS advantages

Answer 25

No audience on one side of the stage
Backdrop, flats and large scenery can be used
The audience may feel closer to the stage

Question 26

TS disadvantages

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Traverse

Answer 27

The acting area is a long, central space with the audience seated on either side facing each other

Question 28

Traverse advantages

Answer 28

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

Question 29

Traverse disadvantages

Answer 29

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

Question 30

End on

Answer 30

Similar to proscenium stage but doesn’t have a proscenium frame

Question 31

End on advantages

Answer 31

The audience all have similar view \stage pictures are easy to create
Large backdrops or projections may be used

Question 32

End on disadvantages

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Promenade theatre

Answer 33

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

Question 34

Promenade advantages

Answer 34

This is interactive and exciting where the audience may feel very involved

Question 35

Promenade disadvantages

Answer 35

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