Saturday, June 13, 2009

B

Back Phrasing- verb- When a skilled performer either moves ahead or behind the music for dramatic effect. Back Phrasing is often used as a tactic to represent "contemplative acting choices." Warning, MT's, back phrasing should be used gingerly and only with a well-trusted Musical Director. Too much back phrasing can sometimes just look like one has forgotten their lyrics.
Jon: Just because she's backphrasing doesn't make her a good actress.


Beltogolist- noun- One who is especially skilled at identifying placement in voices. An expert beltologist will be able to identify the exact placement of a woman's voice (even discerning the thin line between mix-belt and belt-mix.)
Rachel: I'm so nervous! I saw Steven out there [the audience] and he is such a beltologist.



The Bible
- noun- The Stage Manager's prompt book which contains every light and sound cue, as well as all of the show's blocking.
Move, read or even touch the Bible and you're dead. If you should do so, they will put glass in your LaDuca's.
Stage Manager: I am trusting you with The Bible.
ASM: I will guard this with all of my nine lives.
Stage Manager: You're so weird. You'll make a great Stage Manager!

Blackting
- verb- Literally: black acting (also to blackt) Usually black actors who surrender three-dimensional, thought out portrayals for stereotypical "black" archetypes, knowing that it will get a laugh.
1. I saw Dreamgirls the other day and I almost cried; there was so much blackting onstage.
2. The thing I absolutely adore about Audra, LaChanze, and Norm is that I've never seen them blackt.


Belting and Bleeding
- verb- When a person's belt is so high and loud that it sounds painful but is executed with completely healthy vocal production. Although a somewhat misleading name, belting and bleeding is often desired for powerful vocals. See Marla Mindelle/Kate Pazakis.
1. As obsessed as I am with Power Mixers, I still die for belting and bleeding.
2. If this girl playing
Eva Peron isn't belting and bleeding, I'm leaving during intermish.


Backting- verb- Literally: back acting. When an inexperienced actor plays everything facing upstage turning his back on the audience. One of the cardinal sins of MT, back acting is the first mark of an inexperienced actor. Actors guilty of backting are encouraged to "cheat out"
1. Jim, this is the third time I've given you this note but please stop backting. CHEAT OUT!
2. If I had known during her audition she was guilty of backting, I would've gone with the heady mixer.


Belter
-noun- Theatrical gold. A person, usually female, who specializes in producing
fierce, skilled vocals in the highest part of their chest voice. When given the choice to
belt or mix, a belter will always choose the former. Female belters can also be refered
to as beltresses.
Natalie: I'm so excited for Lippa's Wild Party! It's belter-heaven.

Bernadette-adjective- A cute actress with exorbitant star power
"Ali is the epitome of a Bernadette. I die; she's next stop b'way."

Book-It- verb- To do well. "I totes booked it at my Candide callback. I'm soooo next-
stop-Cunegonde." 2. noun- An exclamation to be yelled during cabaret performances.
"Book it!" 3. Literally: to book a job. "Shakespeare in the Park is the third thing I booked
since college."

"Bring Me Up in the House"- saying- Signal to the sound deisgner for more volume
on your mic pac.
"Steve, can you bring me up in the house. I can barely hear myself over the French
Horns."

Beef and Boards- noun- A reputable theatre with an unfortunate name. "I'm working at
Beef and Boards this summer. I'm Rolf in their Sound of Music." 2. an insult towards
second rate theatre "I saw this low-rent Assassins last night. Don't go; it was very beef
and boards."

Bevel- noun- Standing position stolen from beauty queens and showgirls. A manner of
standing in which one leg is straight while the other is lightly bent with the foot pointing
and one hand on hip. This stance provides the most flattering shape for the MT body.
Jenny: Someone take our picture! Now, everyone bevel--this is going on the
Facebook." 2. noun- a qualm or problem "Molly, what's your bevel?!?"

Belting-At-Gunpoint-adjective- Describing belting so ferocious and brills that it seems
as if the beltress has a gun to her back and is being forced to belt in exchange for her
life.
When she belted "I Want it All", I could've sworn she was belting-at-gunpoint.

Brills-adjective- Abbreviation: brilliant. Used to describe theatre works and ridiculous
acting. Often used to describe a plethora of ideas when all other words escape you.
i,e: "A Little Night Music. Brills."

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