Theatre Arts - Terms & Concepts

Summary

This video introduces essential theater concepts for actors, focusing on movement instructions like blocking, crossing, and counter-crossing. It emphasizes the importance of entrances and exits, where an actor's emotional state must align with their physical presence on stage. Key principles such as sight lines and staying open to the audience are discussed, highlighting how actors can enhance their visibility. The concept of the fourth wall is explained, along with breaking it to engage the audience. Finally, the video touches on improvisation, where actors must remain in character while adapting to unexpected situations, providing a solid foundation for understanding the dynamic world of theater.

Takeaways

• 🎭 Blocking refers to the scripted movement instructions for actors, essential for creating a dynamic performance.
• ➡️ A cross is defined as the movement of an actor from one location to another on stage.
• ↔️ A counter cross occurs when one actor moves in the opposite direction of another's cross, enhancing stage interaction.
• 🎬 It is crucial to never cross the stage without a purpose; every movement should have emotional or narrative significance.
• 🚪 An entrance occurs when the audience becomes aware of an actor, not just when they walk on stage.
• 💔 Actors must bring their character's emotional state into their entrances and exits.
• 👀 Sight lines are vital; actors must position themselves out of the audience's view until it's time to enter.
• 🌟 Staying open to the audience is important; actors should use techniques like cheating out to ensure visibility.
• 🧱 The fourth wall represents the invisible barrier between actors and the audience, with breaking it involving direct audience engagement.
• 🎤 Improvisation allows actors to remain in character while adapting to unexpected situations during a performance.

Q & A

What is the definition of 'blocking' in theater?

Blocking refers to the movement instructions for actors, including every cross, entrance, and exit on stage. These movements are scripted by the director, actor, or playwright.

What is a 'cross' and how does it differ from a 'counter cross'?

A 'cross' is the movement of an actor from one place to another on stage. A 'counter cross' is a small movement by one actor in the opposite direction of another actor's cross, helping to maintain connection between characters.

Why is it important for actors to cross with a purpose?

Actors should never cross without a reason, as every movement should serve a narrative purpose, conveying emotions such as boredom, anger, or interest.

How is an 'entrance' defined in the context of theater?

An entrance is defined as the moment when the audience becomes aware of the actor, not merely when the actor physically walks on stage. Emotional context also plays a critical role in an entrance.

What are 'sight lines' and why are they important for actors?

Sight lines refer to the stage rule that if an actor can see the audience, they need to be mindful of their visibility. Actors should position themselves out of view until their entrance and remain in character until they are out of sight.

What does 'cheating out' mean for an actor?

Cheating out means to turn slightly towards the audience to remain open, allowing the audience to see most of the actor's face and expressions effectively.

What is the 'fourth wall' in theater?

The fourth wall is the invisible barrier between the audience and performers. While actors typically do not engage with the audience directly, breaking this wall occurs when characters address the audience while remaining in character.

What happens when an actor 'breaks character'?

When an actor breaks character, they fail to maintain their character's persona while speaking to the audience, which is considered a mistake.

What is improvisation in theater?

Improvisation is when actors remain in character but creatively respond to unexpected situations. There is also a type of theater focused entirely on improvisation, where the story is made up on the spot.

What is the importance of the actor's facial expressions in performance?

An actor's face conveys a character's emotions, making it vital for the audience to see their expressions. Staying open to the audience enhances the emotional connection and effectiveness of the performance.