Scene Performance

A scene is a segment of action and dialogue between two or more characters within a play. Scene work is dependent upon both action and reaction, so that all actors within the scene cooperate together to tell the larger story of the play and characters. While actors perform scenes for different reasons--whether as an assignment, audition, or show--the skills for successful scene work are the same.

This guide explains the process of analyzing, rehearsing, and performing a scene to create a dynamic and interesting performance.

Terminology

• Analysis: Process of examining the pieces of the text in order to better understand it.
• Beat: A unit of action within a monologue, scene, or play.
• Blocking: The movement and gestures used in staging.
• Expectation: The character’s desired outcome that motivates the monologue.
• Given Circumstances: The information provided by the playwright about the characters and situation.
• G.O.T.E.: An acronym for Goal-Obstacle-Tactic-Expectation, developed by Robert Cohen.
• Moment Before: Knowing and using what has happened right before the scene begins to create context and meaning in the scene.
• Notation: The notes made on the text, including analysis, beats, and blocking.
• Objective: The desired goal of the character.
• Obstacle: The person or thing standing in the way of a character achieving their objective.
• “Other”: Related to obstacle, the person or thing a character struggles against.
• Rhythm: The pacing of a scene.
• Scansion: The process of determining the rhythm of a line, usually a line in verse.
• Tactic: The methods a character uses to achieve their objective, identified as actable verbs.