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1 GCSE DRAMA Unit 2 Documentar y Response

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GCSE DRAMA Unit 2

Documentary Response

What is Unit 2?This is worth 30% of your final GCSE grade. It is in 3 parts: a practical assessment and two controlled assessments.The practical assessment:

15% of your grade is from 6hrs of practical workshops This will be split across your lessons in a number of small workshopsIt will be under controlled conditions; led, supervised and assessed by Mrs Levahn.You will explore at least 2 stimuli using explorative strategies and drama elements and medium.

The controlled assessment:

15% of your grade is from the controlled assessmentYou will write a documentary response to this practical work of 1000 words.You will also do a live performance evaluation of a complete play in a maximum of 2000 words.It will be written under controlled conditions.Your mark will be based on your ability to comment on a range of drama strategies and elements used in the performance and their effectiveness and how well you convey and express these ideas.

How are you assessed?During the practical you will be awarded marks for the way you explore and respond to the chosen play.You will need to use at least 4 explorative strategies, at least 2 skill areas of the drama medium and appropriate elements of drama.You will be assessed on:

Your understanding of the text.Your use of drama strategies, elements and medium.How well you work with your group.How well you communicate your understanding of plot, character, form and structure.

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UNIT 2

The Assessment Criteria:Practical ExplorationBand one: 25-30 marks: Student’s practical exploration shows an outstanding understanding of the text. There is a fluent use of strategies, elements and medium and a creative and collaborative involvement in all practical tasks which are committed and focused. Communication of ideas shows an outstanding knowledge and understanding of plot, character, form and structure.Band two: 19-24 marks: Student’s practical exploration and understanding of text is excellent showing imaginative use of strategies, elements and medium and sustained, collaborative involvement in all practical tasks. Communication reveals an excellent knowledge and understanding of plot, character, form and structure effectively in all practical activities.Band three: 13-18 marks: Students demonstrate a good understanding of the text, which is explored with appropriate engagement and use of strategies, elements and medium in practical tasks. Communication reveals a good grasp of plot and character, and there is a confident use of form and structure.Band four: 7-12 marks: Student’s practical exploration of the text is adequate with some contribution of ideas and understanding of strategies, elements and medium to meet the tasks. There may be stronger involvement in some aspects of the practical exploration than others, and they may not always be able to demonstrate their understanding of text and form clearly.Band five: 1-6 marks: Student’s practical exploration of the text is limited. Their response to, and understanding of the text is basic or flawed, or they cannot communicate their ideas and intentions. Cooperation and interaction with others may be inconsistent.Band six: 0 marks: Students’ practical exploration of the text is limited. There is no evidence of a response to and understanding of the text and there is no communication of ideas and intentions. Cooperation and interaction with others is not evident.

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Documentary Response

Band one: 9-10 marks: Students’ analysis and evaluation of their own work and that of others is outstanding. They show considerable understanding and appreciation of the way the medium and elements of drama are used to interpret a play.

Band two: 7-8 marks: Students’ analysis and evaluation of their own work and that of others is excellent. They show clear understanding and appreciation of the way the medium and elements of drama are used to interpret a play.

Band three: 5-6 marks: Students’ documentary evidence shows a good understanding of their own work and that of others and evaluates it with some justification.

Band four: 3-4 marks:Students’ documentary evidence will be adequate, largely descriptive and evaluative comments will lack development and justification.

Band five: 1-2 marks: Students’ documentary evidence will be limited in terms of content and understanding.

Band six: 0 marks: Students’ documentary evidence will not demonstrate any evidence of content and understanding.

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Documentary Response

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A good documentary

response...

...shows you were engaged

and committed to the work on

the selected play ....evaluates the

work rather than simply describing

what you did during the

explorations

...reflects on how the drama medium, the

elements of drana abd the explorative

strategies helped you to understand and

interpret the play

...justifies how and why you

chose the explorative strategies

...discusses how they

deepened your understanding

of meaning

...uses the language of

drama

...considers the presentation of the response (you can

use images alongside your

wirting for example)

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Explorative StrategiesThese are ways of using drama to explore topics, themes, issues, play texts and performance.The strategies you are most likely to use are:

Still image/freeze frame –the action is frozen like a photograph Thought-tracking –when frozen you speak the thought in the character’s head Narrating –you describe what is happening/how someone is thinking or feeling

but from the outside Hot-seating –you are in role and people ask you questions Cross-cutting – cutting from scene to scene Forum theatre – you watch a piece and then you step in and try to change it Marking the moment –showing which are the key moments in a piece of

drama Flashback/forward – you show a scene of something which happened in the

past/future Soundscape – the creation of atmosphere through sounds Role-play – taking on a role and acting like that person would

The Drama MediumThese are the different ways in which dramatic meaning (ideas) are communicated to an audience.These include the use of:

Costume – all the clothes and accessories an actor wears to demonstrate meaning and/or character

Masks and make-up – masks are a form of covering the face. Make-up is the cosmetic paint, powder and colouring used on stage to make faces and expressions visible to the audience

Sound and music –this includes everything the audience hears Lighting – the use of artificial light to create a range of effects and moods, or to

direct the audience’s attention Space and levels – using heights and proxemics to demonstrate meaning and

relationships to the audience Set and props – the set is the constructed or created setting in which a play

takes place. The props are the items used during a performance Movement, mime and gesture – movement is the physical action that

happens on stage. Mime is when actors remain silent and convey meaning through actions. Gesture is a single movement, made by part of the body, such as a fist clenching

Voice –using vocal techniques such as pauses, pitch and tone Spoken language – the choice of words used

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The Elements of DramaThese are the different parts of a dramatic performance that relate to the story being told, the themes being developed and the ways the characters are presented.The elements of drama include:

Action, plot and content –the story, characters and/or themes of the drama

Forms – the way the story is told, the characters portrayed, and/or themes depicted

Climax and anti-climax – building and/or releasing tension, and/or sense of expectation

Rhythm, pace and tempo –the rate at which the action moves along and the extent to which this changes

Contrasts – e.g., stillness vs. activity, silence vs. noise Characterisation – the means used to portray a role using vocal and

physical skills Conventions – the techniques typically used in drama Symbols – the representational use of props, gestures, expressions,

costume, lighting, and/or setting. E.g. white costume to represent the innocence of a character

Forms of StimuliDrama arises from many sources and roots. Many different things stimulate the imagination of those who make drama.These different stimuli include:

Poetry Music Images –e.g. paintings, pictures, photos Play scripts Live theatre performances Television and film Newspaper and magazine articles Extracts from fiction and non-fiction texts Artefacts –e.g. objects, pictures, costumes, etc.

Controlled Assessment Guidance

Documentary response

The Task

Descriptive vs. Reflective writing

Descriptive Reflective

We started by… Initially I thought…

The first thing I did was…/ our first task was…

Whilst working through the first task…

When we watched… On observing…I felt/thought/saw/heard…

Then we… Developing on from…

Then we got into groups… Working in groups of four I felt…

After we did… On completion of…I felt…

Next we… At some point…

In our next session… The scream task, to me, was by far the most challenging because…

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Unit 2:

Write in detail about the extracts studied and link them to the whole play. Reflect on how you used the drama strategies and mediums to explore the

play’s meanings, themes and issues. Reflect on your initial response to the play and how this changed during the

unit. Demonstrate your understanding of the main themes and ideas in the play. Use examples of work from across the whole 6 hours. Evaluate your work and the work of others. You have 1000 words. No more and preferably no less.

Mrs Richardson told us…/ miss said… To begin with, I thought that “madness” was…

Sentence startersThe strategy/element/medium of…was used to… demonstrate/ communicate/ symbolise/tell the story of…

I felt that…

I believe that…

I think that…

In hindsight…

This was effective because…

We used this because…

We did this because…

By acting…I communicated the idea of…

When sharing work…

When viewing other groups work/pieces…

As a member of the audience…

This moment stood out for me because…

Their use of… was effective because…

…was used effectively by…/because we…

Key moments were…because…

I saw improvement/progress made by…because…

The feedback we received/that was given helped me/… improve by/because…

They demonstrated…

The audience’s reaction…

When they…it was effective because…

I like how they used…

I thought…could improve their (use of)…because/by…

…worked collaboratively within our/their group…

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A Possible Structure

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Before you start:- Select three activities that stand out for you in helping you explore the play- Try to pick linked activities that show how you developed your understanding

Introduction:- Information about the play (style, genre etc)- You first impressions and how you felt about the play by the end of the practical exploration.

Paragraph 1:- Details and evaluation of first selected activity. - What did you do?- What explorative strategy did you use?- How did it help you to further understand the play (themes, characters, tone, style etc)

Paragraph 2:- Details and evaluation of second selected activity (different strategy / group size)- What did you do?- What explorative strategy did you use?- How did it help you to further understand the play (themes, characters, tone, style etc)- Did another group do something different to cast another light or emphasise the point you

were trying to make?

Paragraph 4:- Details and evaluation of second selected activity (different strategy / group size)

o Perhaps select the largest/most challenging piece or the piece you feel really helped you to understand the play better.

Paragraph 5:- Evaluation of another group’s work (same activity as paragraph 4)- Compare and contrast to yours

Conclusion:- In what area were you most educated about – was is a specific character, the style, the

playwright’s intentions?

Example Log Book Entries

What explorative strategies did you use? How did you use them? What effect did this have on your piece?I changed my body language to show how I felt during this scene. I started with confident body language; holding my body up as tall as I could and then, as the scene developed, I started to slouch more to show she was being bullied in a sense by the “in group” who had effectively invited themselves to the party.

During today’s session I found that using freeze frames to symbolise certain things was an effective way of portraying the significance of something. We used freeze frame to show the seven stages of life…

I thought that the non-verbal communication we used effectively showed that we were part of a different scene and clearly showed that it portrayed a journey.

What drama medium did you use?The medium we chose to use was sound to express the sound of the crying baby and I thought this was better than physically having someone play a new-born because it would have been less effective

Who worked well during this task and why?I felt that ------- and -------- worked well in this particular piece as they were committed and focused on what we were doing.

I felt that we all contributed loads of ideas to help develop this piece further despite the short time limit.

---- and ---- added a little bit of humour to the task but I felt that they could have calmed down a little more so that everyone was working as effectively as possible.

How well do you think you worked during this task and why?I think that I was more on task this session because I wasn’t working with people I normally work with and because I had ---- as my partner so I was there helping her as she was helping me and we made sure we encouraged each other.

During the cross-cutting; it was really difficult to hold the first freeze frame and I felt my arms getting really tired out. I also found it difficult when others in the group were facing my direction as I had to try really hard to keep a straight face. This was, by far, the most challenging task we’ve done in Drama so far and it really taught me to keep the focus and how much concentration I may need in future performances.

I learnt that less is more so the less we showed in performance made it more clear to the audience what we were doing and ensured they could interpret it in their own way and it was good that we didn’t complicate things as a group.

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If you find yourself writing something like this:Today I went into class and got into a circle and miss acted out the character of a gang leader and she could get rid of everyone she wanted so she got rid of all the boys in the class. This showed a sign of sexism. Then I went into a group with…

OrDuring my drama lesson I listened to a song called “something inside so strong”. It’s about standing up for what you believe in and speaking out. At the start of the lesson I went off into a group and my task was to act out something that people might not like about you, e.g. what country you’re from, what you do, what race you are, etc. In my group there was…

OrIn this lesson, it was all about our speaking. I found this a great way to improve our monologue. I feel I read the piece out well and also me and ---- was very supportive of --- who I felt really needed the confidence boost.

Stop, and think “How did I do this?” and “Why did we do this?”

Try not to be too descriptive, e.g. “we did this and then I did this… My group was and

we did this…”

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AVOID:

-Discussing arguments-Being personal -Focusing on negatives

Too Much Punch for JudyBy Mark Wheeller

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Session 1LO: To understand how the strategies of still image and thought tracking can consolidate a grasp of the plot in section 1 and the state of mind of the two protagonists.

Starter:

- Brainstorm words associated with alcohol- Read pages 12-13 and think about the thoughts and emotions of Jo and Judy in this

section

Main:

- Create 3-4 freeze frames playing the characters of Jo and Judy and respond as if Bob and Nob are there – where appropriate.

- Aim to add at least one thought track each into the freeze frames where we see the scene come to life and one character directs their thought track to the audience.

Plenary:

- Watch and evaluate.

Session 2LOs:

To understand how marking the moment can emphasise a key moment in a play. To understand that a range of explorative strategies and drama techniques can be used to

mark the moment.

Starter:

- Read the chosen section of text from section 1 (pages 12-13)- Q - What genre of play is this? TIE- Q - What is the message being communicated here? (ignorance, stupidity, warning of

what is to come)- Q - How is this message communicated? Pick out key words/lines/stage directions.- Q - If you were directing this scene what moment would you chose to mark?

Main:

- Rehearse the section in groups of 4/5 (groups of 5 can have extra Bob/Nob character)- Select one moment in which to mark and decide how you will achieve this.- Rehearse the scene and the marking the moment.

Plenary:

- Watch and evaluate.

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Session 3LOs:

- To explore different ways of staging significant moments in the play with focus on the creation of a climatic moment.

- To understand that a range of explorative strategies and drama techniques can be used to mark the moment.

Starter:

- Reread Duncan’s monologue account on page 25 and read it again in different tones (annoyed, anxious, laid back, without emotion)

- Discussion on how props are used in this play – as symbols

Main:

- Groups 4/5: devise your own way of staging the crash. - Use elements of physical theatre, sound-scaping and the symbolic use of props. - Aim to include key lines from Duncan’s monologue and can also use other key lines from

throughout the play. (choral speaking, voice work, repetition)- Can also use other elements of the drama medium such as levels, music, mime etc.

Plenary:

- Watch and evaluate.

Session 4LO: To investigate the emotional journey of Judy as she learns the truth about the accident’s outcomes.

Starter:

- Read the dialogue between PC Caten and Judy on page 38- Ask students to come up with one thought they think Judy might have during this scene- Trigger activity, repeated to add a gesture or movement.

Main:

- Work in groups of 3/4 students and create freeze frames that represent the emotional journey that Judy travels through during the dialogue on page 38.

- After initial practice they may add in some of their thought tracks and movement that allows them to move from one still image to another.

Plenary:

- Watch and evaluate.

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Session 5LO: To demonstrate your understanding of the characters’ emotions through hot seating and/or the questions asked during hot seating.

Starter:

- Read Judy’s monologue in Section 6 (In Retrospect) on page 41.- Q – is this what you expected to happen? In what way is this ending unusual?- Q – what words could you use to describe the scene?- Q – what emotions is Judy feeling and why?

Main:

- Hot seating activity.- In groups of 2-4 students take on the roles of Judy, Jo, Vi, PC Caten. Question Judy and

Jo in order to gain a greater understanding of the characters’ emotions and actions. - Turn your questioning into a short improvised scene.

Plenary:

- Watch and evaluate.

Session 6LO: To demonstrate your understanding of the playwright’s intentions.

Starter:

- Read the epilogue of Too Much Punch for Judy in pairs. - Q – why have the play end in this way?- Q – what were the playwright’s intentions and how are them demonstrated here- Q – at what other points during the play have the intentions of the play wright been

explicit / what other dramatic techniques does the playwright use to convey his intentions.

Main:

- Devise a short piece of Drama that you feel accurately portrays the essence of this play. You may choose to include some of the activities we have done over the course of the scheme. You may select key lines, sections of dialogue.

- You piece will in essence be a series of moments chosen to mark the playwright’s intentions.

- You should take ideas/key lines etc from across the narrative and characters in order to show your understanding of the play

- You should aim to use a range of explorative strategies in your piece of work as well as elements of the drama medium.

Plenary:

- Watch and evaluate.

Drama DictionaryA

Accent Way of speaking used in a local area or country

Articulation Clear pronunciation of words

Aside A remark to the audience only

Audience People watching a drama

Auditorium The area for the audience, generally filled with seats

 B

Backcloth Canvas cloth which covers the back of the stage: can be painted

Backstage Non-acting area behind the stage

Balance Keeping an even distribution of weight

Barn doors Adjustable metal flaps attached to the front of a fresnel spotlight for

shaping the beam of light

Blackout The acting area is not lit

Slow fade to The lighting/sound is faded out slowly

Fast fade to The lighting/sound is faded out quickly

Snap to Blackout is achieved instantly

Blocking Deciding where and when actors will move on stage

Body Language Messages given by the position or movement of the body

 C Centre Stage (CS) The centre area of the stage

Centre Stage Left The left hand centre side of the acting area as the actor faces

(CSL) the audience

Centre Stage Right The right hand centre side of the acting area as the actor

(CSR) faces the audience

Character Specific person in a drama

Characterisation The process of fully developing a character

Clarity Clearness of the voice

Comedy A drama which is funny/comical

Costume Clothes worn by actors for their character

Creating The process of developing a drama’s content and roles through practical exploration, experimentation and problem solving

Cross fade To change from one lighting cue to another with no blackout in between, or to

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change from one sound cue to another with no silence in between

Cue A signal for an actor to do or say something, or for a lighting or sound effect to begin or end

Cyclorama The back wall of the stage which can be painted or lit

D Dialogue A conversation between two or more characters

Diction The use of clear speech

Docu-drama A documentary style drama, including reconstructions of events

Down Stage Centre The middle part of the stage nearest the audience

(DSC) Down Stage Left The part of the stage nearest the audience on the left as the actor (DSL) faces the audience

Down Stage Right The part of the stage nearest the audience on the right as the actor (DSR) faces the audience

 

Dramatic Irony Actions or remarks whose significance is not realised by all the characters

Dress rehearsal Final rehearsal (as if it were the opening night)

 E

Emphasis The stress on a word or phrase

End on Audience seated at one end – acting area at the other

Enter To come on stage

Evaluate To judge the strengths and weaknesses of a drama

Exit To leave the acting area

 F

Facial expression Look on face which shows emotion

Flashback Acting out an event in the past

Flashforward Acting out of a future or imagined event

Flats Wooden frames, joined together and covered with canvas, which can be painted

Flies Area above the stage from where scenery/actors are flown in on pulleys

Flood Lantern giving a wide spread of light

Fluency Natural, flowing speech

Focus Key moment, scene, character, relationship or event in a drama

Focussing Positioning the lanterns to get the desired lighting

Follow spot Powerful profile used to follow actors around the acting area

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Form The overall style of a drama

Forum Theatre The audience suggest changes to a drama in order to affect outcomes

Freeze frame The action is frozen in time

Fresnel Spot Lantern giving a soft edged beam of light

Front of House (FOH) Any job in the theatre which involves dealing with the audience. E.g. box office, refreshments, usher

G Gauze See-through material which cannot be seen through when lit from

the front, but can be seen through when lit from behind

G-clamp Clamp used to secure lantern to lighting bar or stand

Gel Film placed in front of a lantern to change the colour of the beam

Gesture Movement of the hand or arm which communicates a meaning or

emotion

Gobo Thin metal plate cut out in a pattern and placed in a lantern to project

pattern or shape into the acting area

Ground plan Bird’s eye view of the set showing what is on the set, entrances/exits and the position of the audience

 H

Hot-seating Questioning a character in role

 I

Intonation Rising and falling of voice in speech

 K

Key Explanation of symbols on a ground plan

 M

Make-up Worn by actors for their character

Masking One actor unintentionally preventing another from being seen by the audience

Masks Covering for all, or part, of the face

Mime Creating a play without words, your body language and gestures should reveal what you are doing, how you are feeling.

Mixing desk Control desk for sound effect being used in a drama

Monologue A character speaks their thoughts aloud

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Movement Use of the body as a means of communication

Musical Drama which includes song and/or music

 N

Narration Part(s) of the drama are told as a story by a narrator

P Pace/rhythm/tempo The rate at which the action moves along and the extent to which this changes, such as fast to slow or slow to fast. The drama will be more interesting to watch with changes of pace which can also build up the tension. Pace can refer to the speed changes in movement or with the delivery of lines spoken.

Pantomime Christmas theatrical entertainment usually based on a fairy tale

Pause A break in speaking; period of silence

Performance Presentation of a drama to an audience

Personal prop An item carried or worn by a character e.g. glasses, handbag, wallet

Pitch How high or low the voice is

Play Another word for a drama

Playwright Person who has written the play

Plot Storyline of the drama

Posture Position of the body – how it is held

Presenting The results of the Creating process, including performance and evaluation

Profile spot Lantern giving a hard-edged beam of light

Promenade Audience follows the action on foot, moving from one location to another

Prompt To supply forgotten lines to an actor

Prompt copy Master copy of the script with all moves and technical effects included

Prompt side Left hand side of the stage where prompter and stage manager sit during performance

Props Short for properties - objects used by an actor

Proscenium Arch Stage within an enclosing arch

Proxemics A character from the drama stands or sits in the centre of the room. Other students take up positions of distance or closeness to them. The distance represents the relationship between them and how they feel towards one another.

Pyrotechnics Stage fireworks

 R

Rake Slope of stage (to allow actors to be seen)

Register Appropriate speech for the person being spoken to, or for the situation

Rehearsal Practice or preparation of a drama

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Rehearsed Drama devised/created without a script which is rehearsed Improvisation before presentation

Revolving stage Stage which turns in a circle

Rhythm Movements which follow a pattern or beat

Role Part played by an actor / attitude adopted

Role-play A means of exploring attitudes and beliefs

Rostra Blocks or platforms used to create levels

 S

Safety chain Used to attach a lantern to the lighting bar for safety

Scenario Outline of the plot of a drama, including changes in time or place

Scene Section of a drama, set in one place at one time

Scenery Resources used to create the setting where a drama takes place, e.g. backcloth, flats, rostra, furniture.

Script The written words of a drama

Set (1) Scenery used to show where a drama takes place

Set (2) To place a drama in a certain time or place

Set prop An item placed on the set, usually part of it e.g. a lamp, clock, picture

Sight lines What the audience sees of the stage from where they are sitting

Slow motion Movement performed at a slowed down speed

Soliloquy A single lengthy speech, made when no other characters are on stage

Sound collage A series of sounds that are layered together to create a dramatic effect. They create an atmosphere and set the scene. Musical instruments can be used or peoples voices, hands and feet or any other props available.

Special effects Used to create a mood or atmosphere on stage e.g. strobe light, mirror ball, smoke machine

Spontaneous Drama created ‘on the spot’ without a script or plan Improvisation Spotlight Beam of light created by a lantern for a person or place on the acting area

Stage directions Written or spoken advice on how to act a drama

Stage whisper A loud whisper intended to be heard by the audience

Staging The position of the acting area relative to the audience

Stance Attitude or position of the body

Status Importance relative to others

Stereotype An exaggerated portrayal of a type of person

Stimulus Anything which suggests ideas which can be developed

into a drama

Strike To remove all the set from the acting area

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Structure Way in which time, place and action are sequenced

T Tableau A stage picture, held without movement

Tabs Curtains

Target Audience A specific group of people at whom a drama is aimed

Tension Build up of excitement

Theatre Arts The collective name for lighting, sound, costume, props, make-up and set

Theatre in the round Audience seated all around the acting area

Thought tracking An aid to characterisation: the character speaks their thoughts out loud

Thought tunnel Character(s) walk past other characters who comment on their situation

Thrust Audience seated on three sides of the acting area

Timing Speaking, moving or pausing at exactly the right moment

Tone Change of voice to express emotion

Tragedy A drama about unhappy events and with a sad ending

Trapdoor Door in a floor

Treads Stairs

Truck Piece of scenery on wheels for ease of movement

 U

Up Stage Centre (USC) The middle part of the stage furthest away from the audience

Up Stage Left (USL) The left hand part of the stage furthest away from the audience as the actor faces the audience

Up Stage Right (USR) The right hand part of the stage furthest away from the audience as the actor faces the audience

Upstaging: when one actor moves backwards forcing another to turn their back on the audience in order to continue dialogue with them

 

V Venue Place where a drama is presented

Voice-over Recorded speech played during a drama

Voices in the head Recall of words said by others about a character or situation

Volume Loudness or quietness of the voice

 W

Wings Sides of a theatre stage

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22

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RehearsalResearch

Role/character on the wall

Brainstorming

Off text improv

Hot seating

Magic if

Tableaux of key moments

Role swapping

Status exercises

Character motivation

Role reversal

Tempo/rhythm

Emotional memory

Setting and StagingPerformance Space

Relationship to audience

Period

Represented

Minimal

Colour

Symbolism

Atmosphere/mood

Textual demands

Genre

Thematic

ActorGenre

Style of acting

Contexts

Role

Character

Relationship

Sub-text

Research

Voice

Choreography

Costume

Set demands

Motivation

Timing

Symbolism

Interpretation

Relationship to director

DirectionDesign concept

Staging

Setting

Rehearsal

Costume

Choreography

Lighting

Impact

Sounds

Properties

Make-up/masks

Colour/texture

Target audience

Imagery

Research

Timing

Budget constraints

ActionMovement

Gesture

Stillness

Proxemics

Focus

Levels

Contrast

Use of space

Posture

Atmosphere

Eye contact

Sight lines

Blocking

Mime

Dance

Tableau

Stage combat

Performance space

 

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How could you describe thecharacter‘s personality?

How could you describe theirappearance?

Confident, poised, self-possessed, assertive

Friendly, gracious, affable, responsive, sociable

Extrovert, out-going, gregarious, convivial, expressive

Thoughtful, contemplative, pensive, introspective, wistful

Considerate, attentive, solicitous, selfless, caring

Warm, affectionate, demonstrative,

Cheerful, jovial, spirited, buoyant, optimistic, jaunty

Fun, exuberant, colourful, vibrant, effervescent, vivacious, energetic, animated

Kind, compassionate, benevolent

Arty, creative, imaginative, inspirational

Charming, charismatic, enigmatic, enchanting

Pleasant, amiable, congenial, genial, agreeable, good-humoured

Helpful, obliging, accommodating, supportive, cooperative

Genuine, sincere, heartfelt, earnest, frank

Generous, munificent, charitable,

Ambitious, elaborate,

Passionate, fervent, ardent, zealous, impassioned

Enthusiastic, effusive, vociferous, fulsome, immoderate

Honest, candid, scrupulous, honourable

Open, approachable, amenable, acquiescent

Brave, valiant, heroic, courageous, intrepid, audacious

Spontaneous, impulsive, impetuous, reckless

Steady, balanced, collected, composed

Reliable, dependable, trustworthy, staunch, loyal, resolute

Trusting, credulous, gullible, innocent, naive

Restrained, taciturn, reticent, reserved,

Withdrawn, introvert, solitary, inhibited, retiring,

Shy, diffident, bashful, self-effacing, timid, unobtrusive

Sensitive, emotional, perceptive, insightful

Unfriendly, reserved, aloof, distant

Thoughtless, tactless, insensitive, foolish

Cunning, deceitful, shrewd, astute, devious

Unkind, callous, ruthless

Cold, mean, malicious, cruel, malevolent

Miserable, despondent, desolate, melancholy, austere

Unpleasant, obnoxious, objectionable

 Tall, giant, lofty, towering, colossal.

Large, brawny, hefty, broad-shouldered, burly, robust, beefy, hulking.

Short, small, little, petit, diminutive, squat, stunted, stubby, stocky, stumpy, stout.

Thin, skinny, slender, slim, slight, lanky, lean, trim, willowy, wiry, gangly, sinewy, shapely, svelte, sylphlike, gawky, lithe.

Fat, dumpy, pudgy, broad, thick, solid, chubby, portly, dumpy, hefty, chunky, sturdy, podgy, heavy, tubby, plump, rotund, bulky, corpulent, ungainly.

Old, elderly, mature, aged, wrinkled, wizen, furrowed, creased, craggy, shrivelled.

Young, youthful, juvenile, childish, childlike, pubescent, fresh-faced.

Masculine, manly, Feminine, womanly, lady-like.

Delicate, gaunt, withered, cadaverous, bony, emaciated, scrawny, scraggy, sunken, fragile, feeble, frail, weak, Pale, pallid, wan, ghost-like, corpse-like, ghastly, ghostly, ashen, wasted, colourless, pasty, sallow, sickly, waxen, listless, spectral, ethereal, waiflike, drained.

Ugly, hideous, revolting, repulsive, unattractive, unsightly, gruesome, abhorrent, unpleasant, untidy, shabby, unkempt, bedraggled, rumpled, tattered, scruffy.

Attractive, pretty, appealing, desirable, beautiful, gorgeous, striking, eye-catching, stunning, glamorous, smart, alluring, handsome, elegant, stylish, well-groomed, pristine, immaculate.

How could you describe an actor’smovement & posture?

How could you describe an actor’s voice & delivery of lines?

Slow, sluggish, lethargic, listless, slothfully, leisurely, lingering, indolent, limp, apathetic, languid, exhausted, enervated, relaxed, gentle, prolonged, flaccid, wilting, drooping, loose, slumped,

Graceful, flowing, flexible, agile, lithe, poised, balanced, controlled, smooth, fluid, stable, steady, effortless, unwavering, firm, supple, sinuous.

Wander, amble, saunter, meander, stroll, lope, traipse, run, scuttle, dart, scamper, sprint, scurry, bustle, stir, flurry.

Gradual, measured, deliberate, painstaking, precise, restrained, purposeful, methodical, meticulous.

Fast, frantic, lively, sprightly, swift, nimble, prompt, sudden, sharp, rapidly, immediate, frenzied, frenetic, energetic, dynamic, vigorous, animated, vital, brisk, forceful, hurried, abrupt, impulsive, spontaneous, spiky, urgent, brusque, snappy, severe, distinct, hyperactive, hysterical, harried, wild, uncontrolled, vibrant, enthusiastic, powerful, convincing, compelling, violent, outrageous, uninhibited, fervent, formidable.

Shaky, jerky, turbulent, restless, anxious, agitated, trembling, insecure, rickety, erratic, chaotic, riotous, fidgety, edgy, impatient, nervous, jumpy, wavering, vacillating, unbalanced, unpredictable, squirmy, uneasy, jittery, prickly.

Limping, hobbling, shuffle, lame, shamble, totter, stagger, trundle, shamble, waddle, sway, lurch, reel.

Clumsy, ungainly, awkward, lumbering, hulking.

Harsh, coarse, scratchy, abrasive, discordant, jarring, disturbing, rasping, hoarse, grating, dissonant, guttural, gruff, gravelly, husky, throaty, croaky, thick, deep, enthusiastic, low, heavy, resonant, rich, sonorous, bass, powerful.

Muffled, slurred, stifled, garbled, lisping.

Loud, raucous, loutish, boorish, cacophonic, braying, thunderous, vociferous, clamorous, booming, roaring, rumbling, echoing, reverberating, resounding, strident.

High pitched, shrill, piercing, penetrating, acute, nasal, squeaky.

Fluctuating, inconsistent, whiny.

Soft, mild, genteel, harmonious, silky, melodious, syrupy, thin, haunting, evocative, muted, velvety, fluid, mellifluous, faint, mellow, subtle, placid, serene, calm, sweet, tuneful, musical, honeyed, sleek, delicate, weak, tinny, reedy, soprano, lingering, hushed, muffled, pure, dulcet, soothing, whispered.

Serious, solemn, grave, subdued, sombre, grim, staid, sober.

Sarcastic, mordant, caustic, scathing, sardonic, scornful, derisive, contemptuous, irreverent, cynical.

Bland, monotonous, tedious, repetitive, insipid, droning, rhythmic.

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