Actor's Homework
The thing your character wants
What is OBJECTIVE?
The area in the middle
CENTER STAGE (C)
Moving your arms to emphasize words
What is GESTURE?
When the actor needs to be louder, they are told to ...
What is PROJECT?
A one-person speech, meant to be heard by other characters
What is a MONOLOGUE?
The thing that stops your character's want
What is OBSTACLE?
The area closest to the audience
What is DOWNSTAGE?
Turning toward the audience so they can see/hear you better
What is CHEATING OUT?
When your performance lines are crisp and full of final sounds
What is good DICTION? (or Articulation)
Conversation between two or more characters
What is DIALOGUE?
The story of the character created by the actor
What is BACKSTORY?
From center, the area three steps away from the audience.
What is UPSTAGE CENTER (UC)?
Using the energy source in different areas of your body to help communicate character
What is the character's CENTER?
Changing the voice to sound higher or lower
What is PITCH?
The "Seeing Place"
What is THEATRE?
The things (or ways) your character goes about getting what they want
What are TACTICS?
From the center, three steps to your left and crossing closest to the audience.
What is DOWNSTAGE LEFT (DL)?
When Mrs. V says plant your feet
What is to be GROUNDED, PLANTED or DON'T WANDER!?
Changing the voice to be faster or slower
What is TEMPO?
Changing the voice to give a meaning different than the words imply
What is SUBTEXT?
The facts about your character revealed in the playscript
What are GIVEN CIRCUMSTANCES?
The area offstage on either side
What are the WINGS?
The movement given to actors by the director
What is BLOCKING?
When the voice stays in a flat or single pitch delivery
What is being MONOTONE?
When the actor speaks directly to the audience
What is BREAKING FOURTH WALL?