Click on the link below to access the Glossary for the Theatre Studies as set by the VCAA. The glossary begins on page 37.
GLOSSARY CONTINUED:
ACTOR - AUDIENCE RELATIONSHIP
When asked to analyse the an actor's use of actor-audience relationship you need to consider the following in your response:
- The actor's use of the fourth wall: how has the actor used or manipulated the fourth wall? Is the fourth wall maintained or is it broken?
- Use of direct address: does the actor address the audience directly?
- The actor's focus: is the actor looking directly out to the audience, or does he/she focus attention on another part of the stage?
- The actor's use of space: how does the actor's use of the stage space influence the audience's engagement with the actor and the character?
- The actors's ability to create tension: how does the actor create tension through the use of expressive skills and timing?
- The actor's ability to create mood: how does the actor create a particular mood through the use of expressive skills, focus and use of space?
NON-VERBAL LANGUAGE
When asked to comment on the actor's use of non-verbal language, consider discussing the following:
- How the actor's use of expressive skills helped to convey the emotions, characteristics or motivations of the character
- How stage directions (stage business) are used in the scene to create non-verbal action
- How the actor interacts with other aspects of stagecraft including the set and props, the costuming, the other actors in the space.
DIRECTION
When asked a question about direction, you will need to frame your answer in response to the following:
- How stagecraft been used to interpret the written playscript
- How the audience are physically and conceptually positioned to view the performance. For example is a conventional proscenium arch theatre used, or are the performers performing in-the-round?
- How the context of the original playscript been conveyed to the audience
- How the actor's delivery of the dialogue has helped to shape the meaning of the text
- How the stage space been used by the performers and the set design and lighting design team
SOME HELPFUL HINTS ABOUT THE WRITTEN EXAM:
RESPONDING TO THE UNIT 3 PRODUCTION ANALYSIS
When analysing the production (ie: The Good Person of Szichuan), remember the following:
- Read the question carefully! - If the question asks you to evaluate, then you must provide some kind of evaluative statement (eg: "The production team of "....." were successful in conveying the playscript's original context through the use of ......"
- When writing your analysis, you may choose to follow the following checklist to ensure your response provides enough depth:
Convention - link your example to a convention of the theatrical style that is associated with the playscript : (eg: direct address to the audience: Epic Theatre)
Context - (optional, if the question asks) - refer to the specific context of the original playscript
Interpretation in Production - refer to a specific example of how the text was interpreted in the production - be as detailed as you can.
Meaning - link the example you have used to the meaning (ie: themes, character, message) that is conveyed to the audience.