Act 1
Information given through dialogue
EXPOSITION
Backdrops, furniture, platforms, etc., are used to create a setting on stage.
Set
(1) The use of words to express something other than, and especially the opposite of their literal meaning – sarcasm? - (2) The difference between what happens and what you expected to happen
Irony
A light, humorous parody
Spoof
Throwing your voice forward in a prominent way, so that you can be heard by everyone in the audience.
PROJECTION
A line spoken to the audience or camera
Aside
A scene performed with little or no rehearsal
IMPROVISATION – (Or “improv”)
A person who writes plays
PLAYWRIGHT
Forms and patterns of speech peculiar to a certain geographical region
DIALECT
Pronouncing your words clearly
ENUNCIATION
A division of a play within an act
Scene
Any item used on stage
Prop
The imaginary time and place the stage area represents
Setting
The “villain”, or the character who sets up obstacles for the protagonist to overcome
ANTAGONIST
The main character, or the hero, in a story
PROTAGONIST
The people in a story
Character
Opposition; a clash of needs, desires, or motives
CONFLICT
A turning point, marked by rising action
CRISIS
The high point of the action
CLIMAX
The ending, with conflicts resolved to some extent
RESOLUTION
Give your attention to the point of focus: the person speaking or whatever you want the audience to focus on. This is called “giving focus”. “Pulling focus” – not good – is letting your eyes wander around the stage or (worse) the audience; or fidgeting or squirming in a way that draws attention away from the point of focus.
Focus
Physically commit to whatever role you’re playing with enthusiasm.
ENERGY
Use physical and verbal expression.
EXPRESSION
Work to make sure that the audience can see what you want them to see. When working with another actor, “Cheat out;” turn your body slightly toward the audience.
Keep your face and body turned toward the audience as much as possible.
Keep hair, clothes, props, etc., from obscuring your face and (especially) mouth.
When two people enter together, the upstage person always enters first.
VISIBILITY
Work to make sure that everyone in the audience can understand everything you say.
Project your voice to the most distant person in the room.
Enunciate clearly.
Control your rate of speech; nerves tend to make you speak faster. Consciously speak slower than usual.
AUDIBILITY