Transcript Intro to Stagecraft - Orange Public Schools

12 Areas of Stagecraft

Over the next 2 weeks you will be
working on a small folio of stagecraft
ideas. You will be writing, drawing,
designing and describing your ideas and
concepts in response to certain stimulus.

YOU ARE BEING ASSESSED on this so
make sure you are taking notes and
completing all set tasks!
 Stagecraft
is a combination of
all the elements that create a
show/performance.
› These are the elements that
bring the show to life and create
a mood, feeling or atmosphere.
A cting

D ramaturgy

D irecting

L ighting

P rops

P ublicity
C ostume

M ake-up/Hair
S ound

M ultimedia
S et

S tage




Management

All of the items that the actors
interact with.
› Can be sitting on stage or can
be brought in. Items could
include: flowers, sword, suitcase,
glass of water, umbrella.

Sometimes props can be
transformed into multiple
objects.

Defines the mood of the
play and sets the context.
› Lets the audience know
where the play is set. Eg. A jail,
the beach, a cinema.

Some plays have multiple
set changes, where others
use the same set/space for
various locations.

What the actors wear on stage.
› The costume of a character tells the
audience about the characters personality
as well as the context of the play.
› Where and when the show is set.

Lighting sets the mood
for a show.
› It can be used to highlight
the action that is
happening on stage, or it
could be used to set the
time of day/night.
 Eg. orange/red could be
sunrise or sunset.

Sound in a show can match the action
on stage or it can be music that creates
an atmosphere for the show.
› Not all sounds are made using electronic
devices, something the actors themselves
make sounds.

Multimedia can include
slideshows, movies and
projections.
› This could be used to set the
location of scene or could be used
to give the audience and the
characters more information and
detail.
› Multimedia, when used well can
enhance the audience
experience.

Publicity is use to promote the show.
› It can include posters, tickets, the program,
commercials (radio and television)
presentations, fundraisers, anything that gets
the name of the show out there to draw in
an audience.

Directing is all of the movements and
choices that the director has made.
› Although the audience doesn’t see the
director at work, the finished product is a
result of all the directors choices.
› Music, actions, emotions, the way lines are
delivered etc.

A Dramaturge will often edit and revise a
play script, they will adapt it and
reconceptualise the play.
› They often work with the director, cast and
sometimes the playwright, providing
contextual research. Eg. the time period the
play is set.

This involves organising and coordinating
the production.
› This might include rehearsal schedules, runs
meetings, organising auditions etc.

Acting involves the way the actor plays
a character and their use of their
expressive skills; voice, movement, facial
expressions and gesture.