Question 1

You may wish to ask your students to write a short essay on the differences between "on stage" and "in life" acting. How may our adjustments of character and behavior be seen as a type of social acting? In what ways does stage acting differ from this?

Accepted Answer

When asking students to write a short essay on the differences between "on stage" and "in life" acting, it is important to encourage them to think critically about the ways in which our adjustments of character and behavior can be seen as a type of social acting.

In both "on stage" and "in life" acting, individuals are required to adjust their behavior and character to fit the expectations of a particular role or social situation. This can involve adopting different mannerisms, speech patterns, and emotional expressions in order to effectively communicate with others and navigate social interactions. In this sense, our everyday interactions can be seen as a form of social acting, as we constantly adjust our behavior to fit the expectations of different social contexts.

However, there are also significant differences between stage acting and social acting. On stage, actors are performing for an audience and are often required to exaggerate their emotions and actions in order to convey their character's thoughts and feelings to the audience. In contrast, in everyday life, individuals may adjust their behavior in more subtle ways in order to fit in with social norms and expectations. Additionally, stage acting often involves scripted dialogue and predetermined actions, whereas social acting is more spontaneous and responsive to the actions and behaviors of others.

Overall, asking students to explore the differences between "on stage" and "in life" acting can encourage them to think critically about the ways in which we all engage in social acting in our everyday lives, and how this differs from the more formalized and exaggerated performances of stage acting.

Question 2

Stage acting requires:
A) Concentration
B) Imagination
C) A flexible, disciplined, and expressive voice and body
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Stage acting requires concentration to stay in character and engage with the other actors on stage. Imagination is necessary to create the world of the play and fully embody the character. A flexible, disciplined, and expressive voice and body are essential for the actor to bring the character to life and effectively communicate their emotions and intentions to the audience. Therefore, all of the above options are required for successful stage acting.

Question 3

To "dress the stage" means to move slightly to balance the stage picture

Accepted Answer

To "dress the stage" means to slightly adjust the positioning of actors, props, and set pieces to balance the overall visual composition of the stage picture.

Question 4

What does an actor doing scene study typically do?
A) Identifies the character's desires and actions while breaking the scenes into beats
B) Notes changes in tempo and rhythm that the text and type of interaction provides
C) Notes how the dramatic action develops in different types of plays
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

An actor doing scene study typically does all of the above. This includes identifying the character's desires and actions while breaking the scenes into beats, noting changes in tempo and rhythm that the text and type of interaction provides, and also noting how the dramatic action develops in different types of plays.

Question 5

Film actors have greater control over shaping their performances than do stage actors

Accepted Answer

Stage actors often have the opportunity to evolve their performance over the course of many shows, responding to audience reactions and refining their approach, whereas film actors' performances are largely shaped by the director's vision and the editing process, giving them less control over the final product.

Question 6

What does an actor need to know to understand the role for which he or she has been cast?
A) How the role relates to the others in the play
B) The scripts themes and implied meanings
C) Which character traits are necessary within the dramatic action
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

An actor needs to understand how their role relates to others in the play, the script's themes and implied meanings, and the necessary character traits within the dramatic action to fully embody and perform their character.

Question 7

To "endow" an object means to give it an emotional significance and value from the character's perspective

Accepted Answer

To endow something means to assign value, meaning or significance to it, often based on emotional or personal associations.

Question 8

The term "cue lines" refers to knowing what another actor is going to say just before it is your turn to speak

Accepted Answer

Cue lines are the lines or dialogue cues that an actor or actress listens for during a scene. These cues help them know when to make their entrance or start delivering their lines. Knowing the cue lines also helps the actor be better prepared to deliver their lines convincingly by ensuring they are in the right emotional state when it is their turn to speak.

Question 9

An action is "cheated" if:
A) It is done by a performer standing as far upstage as possible facing directly downstage
B) It is done by two actors "sharing a scene" who are involved in honest "give and take"
C) It isn't really done, but instead is faked through careful timing and positioning of the actors
D) All of the above
E) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Cheating an action means making it look like something is happening when it is not actually happening. This is often achieved through carefully timed and positioned movements by the actors. Options A and B have nothing to do with cheating an action.

Question 10

A "planted prop" is one that must not be referred to or moved in any manner

Accepted Answer

A "planted prop" is intentionally placed in a scene for a specific reason, often to be used or referred to later in the narrative, not to be ignored or left untouched.

Question 11

Which accurately identifies the 4 levels of characterization?
A) Intelligence, personality, social status, economic status
B) Biological, sociological, psychological, ethical
C) Physical, mental, spiritual, moral
D) Biological, personal, social, religious

Accepted Answer

Characterization is often discussed in terms of four levels: biological (pertaining to physical traits and health), sociological (relating to society and social status), psychological (concerning the mind and emotional state), and ethical (involving moral principles). These levels help in understanding the complexity of characters in literature or any narrative form.

Question 12

An actor only needs to understand his or her own role and not be concerned with the others

Accepted Answer

Acting is a collaborative art form and all actors need to understand the other roles in order to fully perform their own role and create a cohesive story. Knowing the motivations, relationships, and actions of other characters can also inform an actor's choices and improve the overall quality of the performance.

Question 13

You may wish to ask your students to write a short essay about the differences between acting for film and acting for the stage. Have them consider the differences between the two and the unique challenges that face the actor working in both mediums.

Accepted Answer

The answer of You may wish to ask your students...

Question 14

Most actor's vocal and movement training begins by developing an understanding of how the voice and body work, and by releasing unnecessary tension or inhibitions

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Many actors begin their training by learning how to use their voice and body effectively, which can involve releasing tension and inhibitions that might be hindering their performance.

Quiz 14: Acting

You may wish to ask your students to write a short essay on the differences between "on stage" and "in life" acting. How may our adjustments of character and behavior be seen as a type of social acting? In what ways does stage acting differ from this?

Stage acting requires:

To "dress the stage" means to move slightly to balance the stage picture

What does an actor doing scene study typically do?