Transcript Technical Theater Behind the Scenes

The Production Staff
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Exposition- the beginning (who, where, what)
Conflict- the event that starts the action of
the play
Rising Action- build up of tension (obstacles)
Crisis- moment when things could get better
or worse
Climax- high point of play’s tension
Falling Action- wrap up of loose ends
Resolution- end of story (result of action)
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Archetype- a character who represents a
certain stereotype (can symbolize universal
ideas about human behavior)
Epic- a long narrative poem that tells the
story of a hero and his travels
Workshop- a collaborative meeting used to
analyze and develop a play
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Director-a person who interprets a play,
casts, blocks, and helps actors create their
characters
Dramaturg- person who assists in play’s
production (script evaluation, historical
research)
Rehearsals- set practice times during which
director blocks scenes and then directs
characterization
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Director’s Duties
 Getting Started- Auditioning, Setting rehearsal
schedule, developing artistic vision for play
 Reading and Researching
 Assembling the Team
 Assembling the Tools (Prompt or Director’s Book)
 Following the Schedule
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Set schedules at least one week in advance
and stick to it.
Be respectful of the opinions and ideas of
other actors and staff members.
Be positive. Encourage your cast to do their
best.
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Producer- person who finds financial backing
for play, chooses director, and oversees the
daily business
Royalties- money paid to the rights holder of
a play (must be paid in order to perform play)
The Producer’s Duties
 Pay Royalties
 Publicize!
 Create Program
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House Manager- Manages house (ticket sales
and concessions, ushers, opening and closing
of house, and programs)
House- the seating within the theater; the
audience
Front of House- the ticket booth,
concessions, and lobby
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Auditions- trying out for roles in a show
Callbacks- second round of auditions
Cutting- a selection of dialogue used during
an audition
Cold reading- auditions for which actors did
not get to pre-read the script or cutting
Understudy- an actor who learns a role as a
backup for a main actor
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Casting- the selection of actors for roles
Cameo- a one-scene part in a show
Strike- to break down the set at a show’s
close
Mark- the mark (in blocking) from which an
actor delivers lines
Spike- the spot (marked with tape) where set
pieces are placed for a given scene
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Aesthetic Balance- the equal placement of
actors on stage
Symmetrical Balance- equal number of actors
on stage, equidistant from center
Asymmetrical Balance- use of positioning to
balance an unequal number of actors
Direct Focus- when several actors look at one
specific actor
Counter Focus- when actors look from one to
another
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Open Stance- full front
Floor Plan- a diagram of the walls, doors,
windows, and furniture to be placed on stage
Unity- a balance in the variety and kinds of
movement in a play
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Hair pulling- one actor grabs another’s hair;
actor being grabbed takes actor’s wrist and
goes with movement
Slaps and Punches- one actor aims to hit near
victim; the other performs a hidden clap and
reels backward with motion
Stabbing- actor stabs a spot near victim (like
armpit)
Falling- stay relaxed and break fall with knees,
torso, arms, and head
Dying- tense immediately and move towards
wound (intense); be short of breath
Technical Theater
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Minimal Set- a set made of two or three fold
flats that create walls
Permanent Set- a set that remains in place
throughout production
Prism Set- a set made of triangles of flats on
wheels
Unit Set- a set made of pieces that can be
rearranged
Box Set- consists of two or three walls and a
ceiling
Curtain Set- uses a wall or drapery at the back
of the set
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Cyclorama- a curtain that covers the back walls
and the sides of the stage
Flat- basic unit of stage scenery
Drop- a curtain the width of the stage painted
to represent scenery
Scrim- a gauze like curtain used as a drop
(lighting)
Teaser- a heavy curtain that adjusts
proscenium height
Deck- the stage floor
Apron- the area of the stage in front of act
curtain
Pink= Childlike,
Romantic, Feminine
Red= Passionate,
Angry, Agressive
Violet= Royal,
Mystic
Orange= Lively,
Cheerful
Yellow=
Happy,
Childlike,
Cowardly, Ill
Blue= Tranquil,
Spiritual, Sad
Green= Natural,
Youthful, Jealous
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Functions of Lighting
 Visibility
 Emphasis and mood
 Logical representation (of sunlight, headlights)
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Blackout- a light cue in which entire stage is
blackened
Light Designer- the person who designs
lighting based on multiple readings of script
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Sound Technician- person who runs the
sound during a show
Public Domain- a work that belongs to the
public and is free for use
Purposes of Sound
 Amplify actors’ voices
 Supply underscoring and dramatic music
 To provide realism through sound effects
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Amplifier- device that provides power supply
for speakers
Body Mic- microphone worn on actor’s body
Crash Box- a heavy box filled with broken
objects and used for sound effects
Equalizer- a device that blends various
frequencies
Sound Board- device that controls incoming
sounds and allows for mixing and manipulation
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Costume Designer- person who creates the
costume plot and then collects or builds the
costumes
Elements of Style
 Fabric
 Color- must be in harmony or contrast with set and
identify relationships
 Decoration- trim on the pieces as well as accessories
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Build- to make a costume
Pull- to find a costume in costume closet
Rent/Borrow- to rent or borrow from another
company
Costume Plot- list of every character and
costume for each scene
Costume Parade- trying on costumes to
determine comfort, movement, and lighting
Modified Authenticity- when a costume looks
period but isn’t from the actual time period
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Cake- pressed makeup
Acetone- used to remove spirit gum
Crème- foundation with an oil base
Crepe Hair- fake hair made of wool
Putty Wax- wax used to reshape areas of the
face
Spirit Gum- an adhesive used to attach things
to face
Stippling- adding texture with short application
strokes
Collodion- liquid used to make scars
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Straight Makeup- enhances natural features
and coloring
 Clean your face
 Apply foundation
 Add shadows- the cheek hollows, the jaw line, crease
above eye, the sides of nose
 Add highlights- directly under eyebrow, cheekbone,
ridge of nose, chin
 Accent eyes and brows
 Apply blush and lip color
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Character Makeup- makeup that drastically
changes an actor’s appearance
 Eyes and brows- eyebrows should hint at character’s
emotion or role in show
 Crepe Hair
 Nose and Mouth- Putty wax and spirit gum
 Beards and Mustaches
 Scars
 Missing teeth- black tooth enamel or wax
 Stage blood
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Aged Makeup- makeup to make an actor look
older
 Shadow eye sockets, indentations below cheekbones,
hollows at temples, sides of nose, corners of mouth,
jaw and chin, depressions on neck
 Highlight over each eyebrow, in each cheek, at chin
point, along lower jaw line, at throat
 Use brown liner to create wrinkles at forehead,
between eyebrows and outer eye corners, smile lines
 Highlight below all wrinkles
 Blend!
 Thin out lips with stippling and darker reddish color
 Whiten hair and eyebrows
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Properties Master/Mistress- the person who
creates the props plot and then organizes all
props
Props Plot- a list of props needed for each
scene
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Decorative- details on stage, such as
paintings, newpapers, and curtains
◦ Set dressing- anything that adds to the visual
representation on stage; another word for
decorative props
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Hand- items used directly by the actors
during shows, like letters and telephones
Set- items used to create the set, such as
furniture, carpeting, and light fixtures
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Keep tools in their proper place when not in
use. When you use things, put them back.
Maintain respect for the needs of others on
the stage (i.e. actors).
Be careful when using tools. Be careful for
your own safety and the safety of those
around you.