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Stage Directing for Dummies Trivia Quiz

As a drama teacher, I am frequently called upon to both direct and adjudicate plays at festivals and schools. Hopefully, this quiz will give you some tips on how to overcome some common problems with inexperienced actors.

A multiple-choice quiz by ferfer72. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
ferfer72

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
268,826

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
2376

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 51 (6/10), Guest 176 (7/10), Guest 69 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. A lot of first-time actors don't realize that they are hard to hear and see when they turn their backs to the audience. What is a "rule of thumb" to keep actors open to the audience? Hint

Always keep one hand pointed toward the wings.

Put arrows on the stage floor.

Stay as far upstage as possible at all times.

Keep one foot pointed toward the audience at all times.

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Many new actors have trouble memorizing their lines. What is a good way to memorize a script? Hint

All of these are good techniques.

Read the script out loud over and over again.

Write the script out over and over again.

Read the script just before going to bed and again when you wake.

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Some actors are hard to hear because they just aren't speaking loudly enough. Which of these is NOT a possible physical contributor to this problem? Hint

Keeping too much tension in your body

Not opening your mouth widely enough

Playing too small of a role

Not breathing from your diaphragm

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Question 4 of 10

4. If you want to feature an actor in the place the audience will look first (in the United States), where should you direct the actor to stand? Hint

Center Stage

Downstage Left

Upstage

Downstage Right

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Directors need to tell students to go places like "upstage" and "downstage". Why were those directions named "up" and "down"? Hint

In Greek times, the words "up" and "back" were synonomous

Theatre people like to use different words to confuse non-theatre people

People used to jump up and down in the back part of the stage

Stages used to be built on a ramp

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of these steps is necessary before a young cast and crew rehearse on a stage? Hint

Neither of these is necessary

The cast and crew need to learn safety rules

Both of these are necessary

The cast and crew need to learn courtesy guidelines

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Many theatre people have superstitions about what you can and cannot do in a theatre. Which of these is NOT a common superstitious practice around a stage? Hint

Someone must perform a cartwheel across the stage 5 minutes before curtain time.

Actors may not whistle on or offstage.

People may not say the word "MacBeth".

Pinch an actor just before going onstage.

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Which of these, when used frequently, can cause long-term damage to vocal cords? Hint

Honey

Water

Decaffeinated tea

Lemon

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Unless the production is a musical, actors do not need to "warm up" before a show.

True

False

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Since schools are non-profit organizations, it is not necessary to pay royalties on plays and other materials.

True

False

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. A lot of first-time actors don't realize that they are hard to hear and see when they turn their backs to the audience. What is a "rule of thumb" to keep actors open to the audience?

Answer: Keep one foot pointed toward the audience at all times.

It's actually a "rule of foot". If you keep one foot pointed at the audience at all times, you are more likely to have at least *part* of the front of your body facing outwards. Keeping one hand pointed toward the wings could look awkward and obstruct air flow. Staying upstage keeps you away from the audience, and putting arrows on the floor would require actors to look down--a direction that would make them difficult to see and understand.

2. Many new actors have trouble memorizing their lines. What is a good way to memorize a script?

Answer: All of these are good techniques.

The thing that is most important is repetition. Depending on your learning style, you may want to see it, hear it, or do it. One of my professors in college taught me that memory is most malleable just before sleep and when you first wake. If you read a passage at those two times, you are more likely to remember it. I have memorized several scripts this way over the years, and to this day I can still perform them.

3. Some actors are hard to hear because they just aren't speaking loudly enough. Which of these is NOT a possible physical contributor to this problem?

Answer: Playing too small of a role

When working with children, mild "temper tantrums" can include not playing parts to their best abilities because they feel they deserved larger roles. Always keep understudies handy. This is behavior-related and not a physical problem you can overcome. Try to encourage the student first ("There are no small roles, only small actors.") Remember that "the show must go on". Replace the actor if you can't change the behavior.

4. If you want to feature an actor in the place the audience will look first (in the United States), where should you direct the actor to stand?

Answer: Downstage Right

Downstage right puts the actor on the front of the stage at the audience's left. Since Americans read left to right, they are inclined to look to the left first.

5. Directors need to tell students to go places like "upstage" and "downstage". Why were those directions named "up" and "down"?

Answer: Stages used to be built on a ramp

Stages used to be "raked" so that audiences (sitting on flat ground) could see all of the action. Today, most audiences are "raked". This way the stage is safer for the actors, and audiences can still see the stage.

6. Which of these steps is necessary before a young cast and crew rehearse on a stage?

Answer: Both of these are necessary

Everyone needs to learn safety--this is a given. It is also just as important that everyone learns the rules of courtesy. With young people, the fastest way to stop a rehearsal is a personality conflict. My number one rule is, "Keep your personal baggage outside." Conflicts from the school playground should not ever come into a rehearsal.

7. Many theatre people have superstitions about what you can and cannot do in a theatre. Which of these is NOT a common superstitious practice around a stage?

Answer: Someone must perform a cartwheel across the stage 5 minutes before curtain time.

Young students may not know these superstitions, but more experienced thespians pass them on quickly. Shakespeare's "MacBeth" is considered unlucky because of a string of theatre accidents that happened while producing the play (as if accidents don't happen during any other play...).
The whistling superstition started from practical practice--crew used whistles for scene changes, and an actor whistling could confuse them.
Pinching people for luck is an old superstition that carried into the theatre.

8. Which of these, when used frequently, can cause long-term damage to vocal cords?

Answer: Lemon

People frequently use lemon to clear the vocal cords of mucus. This is a very bad idea. Vocal cords have a normal coating on them. Lemon strips the cords of mucus and their natural coating. When you use your vocal cords while they are dry, you can cause nodes and other damage.

9. Unless the production is a musical, actors do not need to "warm up" before a show.

Answer: False

Any time you plan to use your voice for a long period of time (such as a two-hour play), you should use vocal exercises. Humming, tongue twisters, and breathing exercises are recommended.

10. Since schools are non-profit organizations, it is not necessary to pay royalties on plays and other materials.

Answer: False

Of course that's false! Playwrights depend on income as much as anyone else. Please get the proper permission before producing anyone's work.

Source: Author ferfer72

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