Vocabulary List #6
Illusion of the First Time- a spontaneous quality of response as if this were the first time this situation had occurred
Mugging/Face Acting- using excessive, exaggerated expressions to convey thoughts or feelings
Skittering- A method of movement used most commonly in pull illusions where the feet stay on the ground and slide, moving the performer in a single direction
Object Manipulation- To change the physical location or position of an illusion; to hold and use an object in your illusion
Dynamic Body Position- A way of holding or shaping the body that is out of the ordinary; used to emphasize a particular gesture or movement
Clean Release- To let go of an object in your illusion in a way that makes it clear to the audience what the object was, and where it was placed
Elaboration- To add detail and make character choices that give life or meaning to a basic skill; to add or chain difficult skills to the current illusion
Power Moves- Actions, movements, or body positions that require focus, practice, and precision; Movement that elevates the performance beyond the skill level of the average person
Illusion of Weight- To give the impression that the object in your illusion has actual weight; shown by muscle tension throughout the body as needed based on the “weight” of the objec
Traveling- To move from one place on the stage to another within an illusion (skittering in a rope pull for example)
Establish- To set up an image or idea within an illusion that can be used multiple times in the performance by use of indicating or dynamic body position (establishing a pocket for the balloon)
Convention- A rule, method, or practice established by usage; custom
Willing Suspension of Disbelief- The willingness of an audience to overlook the limitations of a performance genre to accept the overall story (actors “dying” on stage or the use of a fly rig for Peter Pan for example)
Style- A particular, distinctive, or characteristic mode of action or manner of acting
Neutral Body Position- A relaxed standing body position with no defining shapes or characteristics; a resting position
Tension- The state of being stretched or strained
Posture- The position of the limbs or the carriage of the body as a whole
Speed- How fast or slow an object is moving
Pace- Consistent and continuous speed in walking, running, or moving
Buoyancy- A quality of movement that is marked by lightness of step and a tendency to bounce while in motion; light and graceful movement
Focal Point- A point set by an actor or director that an actor can focus on during a performance
Character Movement- The physical representation of a character’s personality and other character traits
Emotional Weight- Mental and emotional burdens that a person or character carries with them that burden their spirit; memories and experiences that make you sad or shape your personality
Movement Centers- Areas of the body that lead or drive the character when the character is in motion; head centered, chest centered, or pelvic centered movement