ACTING TERMS 

Acting is a language that encompasses a number of terms the new and experienced actor needs to understand in order to communicate with directors, actors and writers. Listed below are a few important terms that should be understood.

CHARACTER’S BIOGRAPHY

The playwright may provide information of a character’s life. Most often this is only briefly mentioned. The actor’s job is to flesh out a fully-rounded character. This may include their politics, religion, work, education, social status, etc.

GIVEN CIRCUMSTANCES

What’s transpired before the play begins? What has occurred before each scene? The playwright may furnish some of this history. Other times it is the task of the actor and director to furnish that information.

SENSORY AWARENESS

The actor may use all five senses while on stage. They may need to recreate smoke or cold or heat to fit the requirements in a scene.

RELATIONSHIPS

What are the RELATIONSHIPS between characters in the play and those not seen, but mentioned?

ACTIONS

ACTIONS are tools the actor uses to achieve goals or OBJECTIVES their character hopes to achieve in a scene and by play’s end.

PHYSICAL ACTIONS

Sometimes called stage business refers to the activities the character does. For example, gently closing a door or slamming that same door speaks volumes as to the emotional state of mind the character shows to others on stage as well as to the audience.

PSYCHOLOGICAL ACTIONS

These are how the actor speaks their lines to another character in seeking to aid their battle to win their OBJECTIVE.

ACTION EXAMPLES

Always use the word “to” before the intended ACTION. This makes the ACTION word active and something the actor may use in trying to accomplish their OBJECTIVES. Such as to boast, to flatter, to tease, to flirt, to soothe, to seduce or to impress. There are a great many other ACTIONS available to play and use for the actor. 

OBJECTIVES

What the character hopes to achieve in a scene from another character. We may use a simple goal of trying to get a pat on the head or a hug. Though these are simple to play they may symbolize something deeper. For instance to gain power over someone, we may try to get them to bow to us or kiss our feet. Playing ACTIONS illustrates how we accomplish that OBJECTIVES.

BEATS

Transitions in the script where the character may change tactics to gain needs or OBJECTIVES. 

SUMMING UP

These and many other tools should be in the actor’s toolbox to aid as needed in the quest to live truthfully on stage under imaginary circumstances.