Theater

Spiking a stage is the process of placing pieces of colored tape at the base of set pieces so that the running crew knows where they go during scene changes. Spiking a stage is a very important...

Performing an ill prepared scene is usually nerve wrecking as you feel somewhat vulnerable. The lack of absolute control drives you of the wall, but if prepare properly then performing is a...

Monologues are very fun to perform but have the potential of being dreadful if you slack off on the preparation. Unlike scene work you don't have to worry on relaying on a partner and don't have...

As firearms and guns became more and more a part of human society, they became more a part of the stories we tell. You can feel the tension in the theater when a character draws a gun. But even...

Effective theater lighting does not just involve the lighting effects, colors and shapes you may see during a stage production. Theater lighting also involves lighting the audience and making fine...

Lighting adds more to a theater production than just brightness. In addition to helping the audience see the action clearly, theater lighting sets a scene, casts visual emotion and moves the...

The London theater scene is as established and respected as Broadway's, if not more so, and is far older and has been running far longer. When visiting London, catching a theater performance is a...

Lighting is a vital part of almost any live performance. In most shows, lighting has four basic functions: to make the important parts of the scene visible; to establish a sense of time and...

Writing any script is fairly easy and you don't need a special computer program.

Shakespeare can be a bit intimidating for a first time reader. No matter how young you are, or inexperienced you are with classical literature, you can understand Shakespeare. Once you get past...

Designing a set for a play can be a fun and enjoyable process. There are, however, many aspects to consider when designing the set. The set needs to be functional for the actors, appeasing to the...

The fight scene is one of the most crucial parts of an action-type screenplay. They can be challenging to write if you have never been involved in a physical brawl. Many films have unrealistic...

Play a scene where players accept every offer that's played out. But, instead of just doing one or two at a time, keep going back and forth accepting offers and see where it leads. Learn how to...

Endowments are a special kind of offer, and it's a very generous kind of offer, because what you're doing is you're giving your scene partner information about their character. Learn how to use...

Create a scene partner for a Broadway play audition monologue by envisioning the person in front of you. Learn how to make your scene partner real with expert tips from an actress in this free...

You have signed up for an acting class, or gotten cast in a play or a film. What to do now? There are many ways to go about this; I'll suggest one that centers on posing and answering questions...

Developing your character is one of the most important skills that you as an actor will need to develop. It is often up to the actor and director to make decisions about the way you portray your...

Movement is a basic part of acting. The way you move will reveal a lot about your character and what is going on in the scene.

Focus is one of the most important elements of a strong performance. Without proper focus, your performance will be lacking because you will not be invested 100%.

"Action Replay" is a fast-paced, high-energy improve game in which one pair of players tries to recreate a one-minute scene that was performed by another pair of players. The catch: they...

The action-packed improv game "Stand, Sit, Kneel" will keep the players moving and the audience entertained. The object is for three players to improvise a scene in which no two players...

Add some razzle-dazzle to your improv show with "Scene From a Musical." The goal in this game is to improvise a song in a scene based on an audience suggestion.

"Lines From a Hat" is an improvisational comedy game in which two or more players perform a scene incorporating sentences provided by the audience.

"Emotional Changes" is an improv game in which two performers play out a scene while acting out different emotions.

If you want to start an improv troupe, or you're looking to build your acting skills and confidence, or you just want a fun and challenging hobby, this article can get you started in...

Improvisation games are a fun way to get the gears turning in student's minds, but many adult games simply don't have enough premise for children under 10 to grasp. Here's a few games that 6-16...

Improv has evolved significantly to include a wide variety of approaches and methods. Not all improv groups apply the same style, and it is quite likely that an improv class will not resemble the...

Everyone has a story to tell. If you’re like lots of people, you have a great idea for a play knocking around in your head. But where do you start? Here are some steps to make it seem less...

One of the most important aspects in a theatrical production are the costumes. They help identify characters, emotions, and common themes as the play progesses. However, they can also be very...

Have an important audition coming up and need to freshen up on your cold reading skills? This article will help you get to the place you need to be mentally to pull through and give your best on...

Directing a full-scale theatrical production takes an enormous amount of time and effort on the part of the director. One way to break into the world of being a play director, is to learn the...

Playwrights, also known as a dramatist, do not need a college degree to write plays. Students of playwriting, tend to sometimes lose creativity in writing drama because of so much detail on the...

Improv, or improvisation, is the art of acting without a script. Creating dialogue or scenes on the spot can be both fun and challenging. You can catch an improv show at your local comedy club or...

Improv is the art of acting without a script. Improvisation has become a very popular form of entertainment in comedy clubs and theaters. Games are also often played in classroom settings to aid...

Improv games are played in a variety of venues, from theaters to parties to comedy clubs and classrooms. The game "Emotional Quadrants" is best played by actors with a least a little experience,...

IImprov is shorthand for improvisation, which is a method used by theater groups and actors around the world. The goal of improv is to test your mind by requiring you to react to the unexpected....

Long form improvisation continues to evolve as it spreads throughout the underground comedy community of the U.S. Out of the basic Harold form came many other forms, and one of the most notable...

Improvisation--or improv, as it has come to be called--has become very popular as entertainment. Schoolteachers have also adopted some of these theater games to help students improve their...

The use of sense memory exercises allows the actor to experience an honest reaction to a made up scene. Instead of working from the outside in, the actor using sense memory learns to work from the...

Improv is short for improvisation and has become a very popular form of entertainment. Games are not only played in theaters and comedy clubs for live audiences, but also in classrooms to help...

Improv comedy has become popular since the inception of the TV show, "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" In improv, scenes or stories are made up on the spot and performed for an audience, usually based...

What's a beat? All stage plays have them. They're that moment in a scene when something big happens, when stakes are raised, when characters confront their foes and win. Or lose. It depends,...

Improvisation is usually synonymous with comedy of one kind or another. While it is less well known, improv has always been used for more dramatic or tragic purposes as well. Many prominent film...

When the play you're performing in calls for your character to pass out in a scene, learn to "faint" convincingly so you'll wilt and hit the stage realistically. As you're acting out the scene...

Writing a radio drama is a great way to tell a story. A well-done radio play can be more vivid than any movie because it uses the imagination of the viewer. A radio show is also easier to put...

Impending Doom is an improv game that takes great advantage of dramatic irony. The premise of the game is that the audience knows that one (or both) of the characters in the scene is going to die...

Evil Twins is an improv game for four players (or three, in a pinch) that works best if you have members of your troupe that look alike. A two-person scene will begin as normal, but each character...

If you can write a story, you can write a script for a theatrical production. Once you have an idea, you only need to put the words in your characters' mouths. Some people find writing a play...

Whether you are in front of a classroom or are offering special theater classes, you can encourage theatrical creativity by showing children how to write their own scripts. Understanding how to...

Learn tips on how to start scene in the middle of another one in improv comedy in this free video clip.