Play Analysis
The environment of which a story or event takes place
Setting
To be chosen for a role; The actors taking part in a play, musical, film, TV show, etc.
Cast
Also known as the audience; The area in front of the stage where show attendees enter and sit to see the show
House
Everything that makes up your character’s history and experience
Background
Making sure your performance is audible and visible from every seat in the house
Projecting
The name of an artistic work; Identity of a play; Pun, metaphor, or a clue to the central theme of the play
Title
Part or a character in a play, movie, musical, etc.
Role
The area behind or offstage; normally covered by curtains
Backstage
How your character sounds like
Voice
Breathing while engaging with your diaphragm
Diaphragmatic breathing
Creates the conflict for the Protagonist
Antagonist
The text of a play or a musical
Script
Also known as an alley stage or tennis court stage, this stage has two sides. It is uncommon, but was often used during the Italian Renaissance.
Traverse stage
The body language of your character; Facial Expressions; Posture
Physicality
Moving from one place to another
Cross
A decisive moment, or turning point, in which the rising action of the play is reversed to the falling action
Climax
A group that performs together to create an artistic whole and achieve an overall effect
Ensemble
These are flexible performance spaces which when stripped to their basics are a single room painted black, the floor of the stage at the same level as the first audience row
Black box or studio
The manner in which your character moves
Movement
Delivering your lines so that it’s stronger than the one just before it
Top or topping
An explanation of the story, that contains every major scene and moment of a story
Summary
To work jointly with another person or group to produce or create something
Collaborate
The italicized notes within a script. Also can be found within parentheses
Stage directions
Studying other people are sources for your characters voice and movement
Observation
Also known as “holding for a laugh”; allowing the audience response to begin dying away before continuing
Holding