The Dos and Don’ts of Improvisation

Dos

* Take cues from your scene partner

* Be spontaneous

* Make your partner look good

* Embrace being “boring”

Don’ts

* Don’t break character

* Don’t say, “I can’t,” but rather, “I’ll try.”

* Don’t answer no. Always answer yes.

* Don’t be a ham and steal the show for yourself. This is a dialogue, not a monologue.

* Don’t ignore or deny your scene partner.

* Don’t change the story your partner has started.

* Don’t respond with a question. Acting is doing, not telling.

Technical Terms in Theatre

Up Stage Right Up Stage Center Up Stage Left Stage Right Center Stage Stage Left Down Stage Right Down Stage Center Down Stage Left Audience

Stage Directions—instructions for an actor, either in the script or from a director

Blocking—putting actions to the words in the script

Focus—to center attention on something

Grouping—arranging characters for the best interests of the play

Levels—Acting areas placed higher than stage level with the use of platforms

Apron—The part of the stage in front of the curtain.

Pit—Orchestra area, generally in front of the apron Backstage—Space behind the stage

Wings—space at either side of stage

Off-Stage—Area of stage not visible to the audience

On-Stage—Area of stage visible to the audience

Curtain Line—Imaginary line where the curtain hangs

Open Up—Turn more toward the audience

Close In—move closer together

Come Down—approach part of the stage nearer the audience

Cross--move from one part of the stage to another

Call—warning to actors to be ready for entrance

Callboard—bulletin board backstage with important information on it

Stage Call—Meeting of cast and director onstage for instructions

Places—signal for actors/actresses to begin their scene

Clear Stage—The command to leave stage

Script—printed copy of the play

Prompt Script—Script with your directions

Scene—division within an act

Lines—spoken parts

Cue—signal for something to happen

Cue Sheet—list of cues

Pace—Timing of lines and actions

Build—to bring a scene to a climax by increasing volume, emphasis, pace, or intensity

Run-Through—To rehearse a play without stopping

Steal a Scene—To call attention to yourself when it should be elsewhere

Upstaging—Toward the back of the stage