1. DRAMA WARM UPS ODD YEARS

2. VOCABULARY DIRECTIONS
For FULL credit on your warm-ups:
Write the voc word and the definition.
Write the question! *You may summarize/shorten the question
Write a THREE SENTENCE answer to the question!
When you are absent, get the warm-up from a friend at the next class period.

3. THOUGHT OF THE DAY: DO SOMETHING TODAY THAT MAKES OTHERS SMILE
1. ACT:
V) to perform by representing a character in a play.
N) The major division of a play
Question:
What does acting mean to you?
Three complete sentences please.

4. VOCABULARY
2. PROPS:
All articles except costumes and scenery used as part of a dramatic production. Large objects like furniture are called stage props. Small props carried or moved by the actor are called hand props.
Give three examples of what could be a stage prop and three examples of what could be a hand prop. (This time ONLY, you can write two sentences total). **

5. THOUGHT OF THE DAY: A JOKE IS ONLY A JOKE IF PEOPLE LAUGH . . .
3. Lines: The lines of a play are its dialogue. When you get a part in a play, you have to “memorize your lines.”
Can you think of any famous lines/movie quotes that you remember from seeing a movie or play? If not, ask your neighbor to help you. Why was that line memorable?

6. THOUGHT OF THE DAY: BE YOURSELF. NOBODY ELSE CAN DO THAT FOR YOU.
4. Conflict: The main problem of the play. A play cannot exist without conflict! Even comedies have a conflict.
Why do you think a play HAS to have conflict? What would a play be like without a conflict?

7. THOUGHT OF THE DAY: WE CANNOT KNOW WHAT GOOD IS WITHOUT ALSO KNOWING WHAT IS BAD.
Vocabulary:
5. Blocking (v): Working out the movements of actors on stage- includes planning the entrances, exits, crosses, etc.
Question (Three sentences): Why would it be important for a writer to include blocking in his/her script? Why does blocking matter?

8. THOUGHT OF THE DAY: A GREAT ARTIST IS ONE WHO OBSERVES THE WORLD AROUND THEM.
Vocabulary:
6. CHEAT OUT: To turn your body slightly towards the audience while conversing with another.
Why would an actor need to do this in a play and not a movie? Explain and give an example.

9. THOUGHT OF THE DAY: THE RISK OF TAKING NO RISKS IS THE WORST RISK OF ALL.
7. Comic Relief: Comedy inserted in an otherwise heavy/dramatic play. Used to bring relief to the audience from the tenseness of the action in a play.
Can you think of an example in either a play, movie, tv show, or book where there is comic relief? Either through a funny character, line, situation.
If you can’t think of an example, give one from your own life or one you have observed.

10. THOUGHT OF THE DAY: “A DAY WITHOUT SUNSHINE IS LIKE, YOU KNOW, NIGHT
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: “A DAY WITHOUT SUNSHINE IS LIKE, YOU KNOW, NIGHT.” STEVE MARTIN
8. MILK: to milk an audience is to get all one can out of an audience. In an extremely funny situation, an actor can milk his audience through double-takes, gestures, and other forms of OVER ACTING. Sometimes it works, but if done too frequently, will annoy an audience.
Question: Have you ever “milked” a situation? At home? In a classroom? On stage? If not, give an example in which you have seen someone else do it.

11. THOUGHT OF THE DAY: IF YOU WOULD CREATE SOMETHING, YOU MUST BE SOMETHING.
Vocabulary:
9. Cue (n): A signal or movement that tells a performer to carry out the next action.
Question (three sentences) Why are cues important in a play for actors?

12. THOUGHT OF THE DAY: THE JOB OF AN ARTIST IS NOT TO SEE THE BLACK AND WHITE OF THE WORLD, BUT TO SEE THE GREY AND EVERY SHADE IN BETWEEN.
READER’S THEATER: An oral interpretation of drama by a group of performers standing or sitting on stage. Action or physical movement is merely suggested and is visualized in the minds of the audience. Scenery and costumes are not used.
Question: Why would the actor’s CHARACTER VOICE be very important in a production of reader’s theater? Give an example.

13. THOUGHT OF THE DAY: THEATER IS THE ONLY MEDIUM IN WHICH THE AUDIENCES’ REACTIONS CHANGE/AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE.
11. Characterization: A representation of a character’s qualities. Shown through dialogue, gesture, movement, voice, costume, and makeup.
Question (3 sentences): Think about a character you’ve seen in movie or play. What made his/her character stand out to you and WHY?

14. Question (Three sentences): Who is your favorite actor and WHY?
THOUGHT OF THE DAY:: ACTING IS BEHAVING TRUTHFULLY UNDER IMAGINARY CIRCUMSTANCES.
~ SANFORD MEISNER
12. Actor: a person on stage, who by prior performance and training has been selected by a director to act a role in a production.
Question (Three sentences): Who is your favorite actor and WHY?

15. 13. Casting: The selection of actors for a performance
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: WHEN YOU LIVE IN THE MOMENT, THERE IS NO FUTURE OR PAST, ONLY RIGHT NOW.
13. Casting: The selection of actors for a performance
A “casting director” selects actors to audition for the main director of the show. Why do you think directors need the help of a casting director? Why is a casting director important?

16. Do actors need to do this in a movie? Why or why not? Explain.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: CONFLICT IS WHAT CREATES DRAMA. THE MORE CONFLICT ACTORS FIND, THE MORE INTERESTING THE PERFORMANCE.
14. FREEZE: Actors freeze in position, without movement, which usually marks a break in action or a monologue, the closing of a scene, or the end of a play.
Do actors need to do this in a movie? Why or why not? Explain.

17. THOUGHT OF THE DAY: IF YOU REALLY DO WANT TO BE AN ACTOR WHO CAN SATISFY HIMSELF AND HIS AUDIENCE, YOU NEED TO BE VULNERABLE.
15. Get the Hook!: An old term meaning to get the actor off the stage. At one time, a hook on the end of a long pole was used to literally pull the bad performer in to the wings.
Why would we NEVER use this term in a drama class? What effect would it have on someone?

18. THOUGHT OF THE DAY: TALK TO SOMEONE TODAY THAT YOU’VE NEVER SPOKEN TO BEFORE. YOU MIGHT MAKE A NEW FRIEND!
16. Stage Areas: There are nine major areas of the stage: downstage L, C, R, center L, C, R, and upstage L, C, R
Why is it important to have different areas of the stage? How does this help the actors and the directors in a play?

19. 1. “Dry up”: To forget your lines
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: “BETTER TO REMAIN SILENT AND BE THOUGHT A FOOL, THAN TO SPEAK AND REMOVE ALL DOUBT.”
Vocabulary Word:
1. “Dry up”: To forget your lines
Question (3 sentences): Have you ever been speaking or acting in front of an audience and “dried up”? Why do you think this happened?

20. THOUGHT OF THE DAY: “I DON’T SUFFER FROM INSANITY; I ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF IT.”
Vocab:
2. Audition (Noun and Verb): A tryout for a theatrical position, usually for actors.
Question (3 sentences): Have you ever auditioned for something and what the experience was like. If you haven’t auditioned as an actor, but you’ve tried out for a sport (also a type of audition), what was that experience like? How did you prepare for it?

21. THOUGHT OF THE DAY: “WHEN I WAS A BOY OF FOURTEEN, MY FATHER WAS SO IGNORANT I COULD HARDLY STAND TO HAVE THE OLD MAN AROUND. BUT WHEN I GOT TO BE TWENTY-ONE, I WAS ASTONISHED AT HOW MUCH HE HAD LEARNED IN SEVEN YEARS.”
Vocabulary:
3.Costume (noun): The clothing an actor wears to represent a character.
Question: How do costumes help build a character Why is costuming important? What does it do for the actor?

22. THOUGHT OF THE DAY: THINK OF SOMETHING NICE YOU CAN DO FOR SOMEONE ELSE TODAY.
4. Front-of-house: (noun): Box office and lobby of a theater (i.e. patron services)
Question (3 sentences): Why would a theater need a front of the house?

23. Question: Define three of these words in complete sentences.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: A MAN WHO DOES NOT THINK FOR HIMSELF DOES NOT THINK AT ALL.
Vocabulary:
5. Elements of theater: (noun) action, character, conflict, design, dialogue, plot, setting, and theme.
Question: Define three of these words in complete sentences.

24. THOUGHT OF THE DAY: CONVERSATION ABOUT THE WEATHER IS THE LAST REFUGE OF THE UNIMAGINATIVE.
Vocabulary:
6. “Break a Leg”: an expression used instead of Good Luck when one wishes an actor success before opening night
Question (Three sentences): Where do you think this expression came from?

25. DON’T WORRY! BE HAPPY!
7. Space (noun): The performance area used by an individual or an ensemble. Can be a stage or anywhere a performance can happen.
List and describe three examples of “space” where people could perform (even in your own house!)

26. VOCABULARY
8. Warm-Up: Movements and vocal phrases designed to raise the core body temperature and bring the mind into focus for the activities that follow.
Why are warm-ups important in acting? How do warm-ups affect our performance?

27. Why is cooperation important in theater? Give examples.
VOCABULARY
9. Ensemble (noun): A group of actors working together cooperatively and responsibly to help themselves and each other achieve the group goal.
Why is cooperation important in theater? Give examples.

28. VOCABULARY
10. Fourth Wall (noun): The space separating the audience from the action of a theatrical performance, traditionally conceived of as an imaginary wall.
Why is an imaginary wall necessary in theater? What purpose does it serve?

29. VOCABULARY
11. Curtain Calls (noun): Occur after the final act when the curtain or lights are raised to allow the cast to acknowledge the applause from the audience by taking their bows!
Why is it important to have a curtain call at the end of a show? Why do you think movies don’t have an ending cast bow?

30. VOCABULARY
12. Genre (Noun): A type of category of dramatic literature (e.g. comedy, tragedy, horror, suspense/mystery, science fiction, romantic comedy, melodrama, farce, serious drama, romance).
What is your favorite play/movie genre and WHY? Name one of your favorites in this category.

31. VOCABULARY 13. House: The part of the theater where the audience sits
Describe different “houses” you’ve seen. Ex. Flat, circle in the round, MPR, slanted, huge (Gammage), smaller/more intimate, etc. What do you think is the most effective type of “house” for seeing a show? Why?

32. VOCABULARY
14. Type Cast: Choosing an actor to play a part because he resembles the character in real life.
Can you think of an example in which an actor tends to play characters that are much like who he/she is in real life? Explain.

33. Movements of the face that show feelings or ideas
VOCABULARY
15. Facial Expression:
Movements of the face that show feelings or ideas
Why are facial expressions important in acting?

34. 16. Timing- The tempo of spoken lines, actions and gestures.
VOCABULARY
16. Timing- The tempo of spoken lines, actions and gestures.
What does TIMING matter in a performance? What can it communicate?

35. VOCABULARY
17. Lighting: Using a variety of lights to illuminate the actors and sets on stage!
In what ways could you use lighting to help enhance a performance and tell the story?

36. The character’s wants, needs, and desires as found in the text.
VOCABULARY
18. objective:
The character’s wants, needs, and desires as found in the text.
Can you name the objective of a character in a movie or play?

37. 19. Motivation: What a character wants and why!
VOCABULARY
19. Motivation: What a character wants and why!
Think of a movie and a character that you’ve seen recently. What was it that they really WANTED?

38. VOCABULARY
20. Theater Literacy:
The ability to create, perform, perceive, analyze, critique, and understand dramatic performances
Have you ever read a review of a tv show/movie/play? What did it say? If you haven’t read one, what things do you think it might say?