Tech and Design
With what role did today’s Stage Manager originate, as far back as the 1700s?
The Prompter
What acting theorist gave us the traditional “Method” approach to acting?
Konstantin Stanislavski (aka: Stan the Man)
What should the ultimate goal be of all artistic and production team members working on a production?
To realize the director’s vision
This collection of essays on dramatic criticism acts as a modern “guide book” for dramaturgy.
Gotthold Lessing’s “Hamburg Dramaturgy” Essays
This detailed daily report goes out to all production team members after every rehearsal and performance.
Rehearsal Report (rehearsals)
Production Report (live shows)
This role is arguably THE MOST CRUCIAL member of the artistic team.
Stage Manager
What is “blocking” as it pertains to acting?
Literal physical movements of actors on stage
In what century did the role of the stage director really begin to take shape?
The 19th Century (1800s)
She was the 1st female historian, also known as one of the very first dramaturgs on record.
Hrosvitha of Gandersheim
This master copy of the script includes all notated blocking, and lighting and sound cues from which the SM calls the show.
HINT: Sometimes referred to as the “show Bible"
Prompt Book
What is the role of the Technical Director?
To build the designs that the scenic designer conceives
What are the two main approaches to acting?
Presentational (artificial, gratuitous) and Representational (conveying true emotion)
Define “Patriarchal” and “Organic” styles as they pertain to directing for the stage.
Patriarchal = strict and structured, not open to much actor input
Organic = less structured and more collaborative, much more open to actor input
What are the TWO main types of dramaturgy?
New Work Dramaturgy
At what point in the production process will the Stage Manager begin “calling” the show?
Technical Rehearsals (Tech Week)
What are the three original basic design categories?
Scenic, costume, and lighting
Compare/Contrast Objectives and Super-Objectives according to the Stanislavskian acting technique.
Objective (scene-specific immediate goals of the character)
Super-Objective (overarching, large-scale life goals of the character)
What are the TWO main types of dramaturgy?
Production Dramaturgy and New Work Dramaturgy
List THREE basic dramaturgical questions one must ask when approaching any piece of theatre:
Time Period
Location/Region
Character Background
Class Observation
Dialect/Linguistics
Character Conflict/Resolution
What should a light or sound board operator do if the stage manager drops a cue?
Nothing. Nobody makes a judgement call EXCEPT for the Stage Manager.
This document is the master copy of the script of a play or musical, used by the stage manager to notate and ultimately call the show with.
The Prompt Book
Why is the American “method” approach to acting so different from Stanislavski’s original idea for “The Method” approach?
Stanislavski intended for actors to pull from personal experiences using proper emotional boundaries. The American method has abused these boundaries and has the potential to harm actors emotionally and psychologically.
At what point in the production process does the show no longer belong to the director?
Technical rehearsals belong to the TD.
Opening night and forward belong to the SM.
This 18th century dramatist and philosopher is known as the “father” of dramaturgy.
Gotthold Lessing
This industry standard computer software allows for sound board operators to execute seamless, timely sound cues as called by the SM.
QLab