Alpha Psi Omega Study Guide 2016

Terms/Definitions to know:

• Ambient Light
o The natural light (usually soft) or surrounding light around a subject in a scene
• Black Box
o A type of theater usually surrounded by black curtains where the audience and actors are in the
same room. At Virginia Tech, T101 is an example of a black box theatre.
• Black Out
o The quick shutting off of all the stage lights
• Blocking
o The instructions that actors use to know exactly where they are supposed to be on stage at all
times
• Callboard
o The place backstage where the Stage Manager puts up important information for the cast and
crew. Ours is located in Henderson on the second floor near all of the offices. This is where you
can sign up for auditions, or find information on upcoming productions.
• Catwalk
o A narrow walkway suspended from the ceiling of a theater from which sometimes lights and
scenery are hung
• Downstage
o The part of the stage which is closest to the audience
• Equity
o Trade union formed to protect those who work in the theater by helping to regulate pay and
working conditions
• Set
o The setting of the stage for each act and all the physical things that are used to change the stage
for the performance
• Stage Left
o (these left/right directions are seen from the ACTORS’ point of view on the stage) this is when
the actor standing in the center of the stage moves to his left
• Stage Right
o (these left/right directions are seen from the ACTORS’ point of view on the stage) this is when
the actor standing in the center of the stage moves to his right
• Thrust
o A stage that extends into the auditorium so that the audience is seated around three sides. Our
Studio theatre is an example of a thrust stage.
• Trap
o An opening in the floor of a stage where a performer or prop can disappear (trap doors in the
floor)
• Upstage
o The area of the stage that is the farthest away from the audience
• Wings
o The areas of the stage that are to the sides of the acting area and are out of view. These areas are
usually masked by curtains.

1
The Greek Alphabet:

Your Pledge Class’ Sonnet (Sonnet #16) ~ have it memorized and be able to interpret it line for line (Don’t use
no fear Shakespeare! We want you to tell us what each line means to you and in your own words!!)

SONNET 16

But wherefore do not you a mightier way

Make war upon this bloody tyrant, Time?
And fortify yourself in your decay
With means more blessed than my barren rhyme?
Now stand you on the top of happy hours;
And many maiden gardens, yet unset
With virtuous wish would bear your living flowers,
Much liker than your painted counterfeit:
So should the lines of life that life repair,
Which this (Time's pencil, or my pupil pen),
Neither in inward worth nor outward fair,
Can make you live yourself in eyes of men.
To give away yourself keeps yourself still,
And you must live, drawn by your own sweet skill.

2
Set up of the exam:
10 Matching of Vocabulary (each worth one point)
5 Multiple Choice testing on the Greek alphabet (each worth one point)
Interpretation of your sonnet (5 points total: 1 point for legibility, 2 for having the sonnet memorized, 3 for
having your own original interpretation)
You must receive 16 or more points to pass