Introduction to analysing acting skills

In this lesson, we will focus on key acting skills and look at how actors use their skills to convey their characters

Introduction to analysing acting skills

In this lesson, we will focus on key acting skills and look at how actors use their skills to convey their characters

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In this lesson, students will watch a short extract from a theatre production and begin to develop a personal response. Developing their understanding of how to analyse, they will comment on the choices made by the performer.

Content guidance

  • Physical activity required.

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended.

Licence

This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.

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5 Questions

Q1.
What does analyse mean?
To describe something.
Correct answer: To examine something in detail and explain why things were done.
To question something.
Q2.
What does characterisation mean?
Correct answer: The process of developing and performing a character.
The process of staging a play.
The process of writing a play.
Q3.
Which list contains examples of physical acting skills
Blocking, staging, painting.
Correct answer: Eye contact, facial expressions, gestures.
Pace, pitch, volume.
Q4.
What does the vocal skill of pace mean?
The emotion in an actor's voice.
The high or low pitching of the voice.
Correct answer: The speed at which an actor speaks.
Q5.
What do a character's facial expressions convey to the audience?
How long a speech is going to be.
If an actor has learnt their lines or not.
Correct answer: What the character, thinks or feels.

5 Questions

Q1.
How many stage positions were there?
6
7
Correct answer: 9
Q2.
How did the actor playing Salieri show he was not happy with Mozart?
He exited the stage.
He stomped his feet and threw a tantrum.
Correct answer: He used his facial expressions, and turned upstage away from Mozart.
Q3.
Which position was the piano in on stage?
Centre stage.
Correct answer: Downstage left.
Upstage.
Q4.
How could we have interpreted Mozart's actions of standing on the piano stool to play the piece of music?
He couldn't see the music without standing on the stool.
He hates classical music.
Correct answer: He was trying to show off and annoy Salieri.
Q5.
How would you describe Salieri's facial expression when Mozart started to embellish the music?
Correct answer: Confused and then annoyed.
Ecstatic.
Joyful and surprised.

Lesson appears in

UnitDrama / Live theatre responses: Using social media