Cues

Definition

Cues are specific signals or prompts that guide performers during a production, ensuring smooth transitions and coordinated actions among the cast and crew. These signals can be verbal, visual, or auditory, and they play a crucial role in maintaining the flow of a performance while helping actors deliver their lines and execute their movements at the right moment.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cues are essential for timing in live performances, helping actors deliver lines or make entrances at exactly the right moment.
2. Different types of cues include those given by stage managers, audio cues from sound designers, and visual cues from lighting changes.
3. Actors often rely on cues to maintain their character's rhythm and energy, especially in complex scenes with quick transitions.
4. Effective communication of cues can significantly reduce anxiety for performers, allowing them to focus on their character and performance.
5. During rehearsals, it's common for performers to practice with cues multiple times to ensure they feel comfortable and confident in their timing.

Review Questions

• How do cues contribute to the overall flow and timing of a live performance?
  • Cues are critical for ensuring that each aspect of a live performance happens in a coordinated manner. They provide performers with the necessary signals to enter or deliver lines at the appropriate moments. When actors rely on cues effectively, it creates a seamless experience for the audience, maintaining engagement throughout the show.
• In what ways can miscommunication of cues affect a live production?
  • Miscommunication of cues can lead to missed entrances, incorrect timing for lines or actions, and disruptions in the pacing of a performance. This can create confusion not only for the actors but also for the audience, breaking immersion and potentially resulting in awkward pauses or unintentional comedic moments. Effective cue management is essential to prevent such issues and ensure a polished final product.
• Evaluate the relationship between cues and the rehearsal process, particularly during tech rehearsals.
  • Cues are intricately tied to the rehearsal process, especially during tech rehearsals where lighting, sound, and staging come together. These rehearsals allow performers to practice responding to various types of cues while integrating technical elements into their performances. The collaborative effort during this phase helps ensure that all components work harmoniously, which is crucial for delivering a polished final show that effectively engages the audience.

Related terms

Blocking: The precise staging of performers in a scene to facilitate movement and positioning in relation to one another and the set.

Callboard: A bulletin board used in theaters to post important information for cast and crew, including cues, schedules, and rehearsal notes.

Tech Rehearsal: A rehearsal focused on integrating technical elements such as lights, sound, and set changes with the performance, often emphasizing the use of cues.