Blast Northern Ireland
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Audition
An actor attends an audition to read for a role in a film, television or theatre. Actors read from the script or improvise while the director or casting agent decides if they are right for the role.
Agent
An agent represents actors, writers and artists and finds work for them. They will also negotiate contracts and fees for their clients. Agents usually make money by taking a percentage of the payment made to their client.
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal name for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai, India. The word was made up by putting Bo(mbay) and (Ho)llywood together. Unlike Hollywood, Bollywood is not a real life location.
Ballet
Classical dance with music, costumes and scenery. Ballet dancing requires a highly developed technique, grace and precision. Ballet performances usually tell a story, or are the dance sequences within an opera. Famous examples include Swan Lake and The Nutcracker.
Break Dancing
Also known as B-boying, this acrobatic style of dance emerged out of the Hip-Hop movement in the South Bronx of New York City.
Cheerleading
Cheerleading is a competitive sport with routines which incorporate elements of dance and gymnastics. Cheerleaders normally perform before sports events to encourage crowds to cheer for their teams.
Curtain Call
A theatre term describing how performers come out on stage at the end of their performance. The audience show their appreciation by clapping while the actors take a bow.
Choreography
Putting together movements which make up a dance or dance routine.
Demo Reel
Actors put together a compilation demo reel of their previous work. This allows the actor to show off their talents and versatility.
Extra
A non-speaking part in a film or TV programme. Extras are drafted in to make a scene more realistic, for instance, a street scene. Sometimes extras are lucky enough to get picked out for a short speaking role!
Free Running
Also called parkour – free running is an urban activity in which participants attempt to clear all obstacles in their path. The free runner uses a variety of gymnastic and acrobatic moves including jumps, vaults, and wall runs.
Flamenco
Flamenco is a song, music and dance style which originated in Andalusia (Spain). Flamenco dancing often involves vigorous and rhythmic movement with clapping and stamping of feet.
Guerrilla Theatre
A random and experimental act of theatre or performance which takes place in an unorthodox space.
Hip Hop
Hip Hop Dance covers a wide range of styles. Old school hip hop dances evolved from the 1970s funk and hip hop music. Break dancing (see B) is the best know of all hip hop styles. Many new school style include more upright dancing with elements such as krumping (see K), c-walk and jigging.
Improvisation
Dialogue, movement or act performed without prior planning by an actor, dancer or musician.
Krumping
A form of dance that originated within the African-American community of Los Angeles. This high energy dance is used as a form of expression. Many dancers paint their faces to portray emotions. Styles of krumping include flashy, goofy and rugged.
Latin Dance
Latin dances can be broken into two categories:
Dances with their origins in Latin America include Cha cha, Mambo, Merengue, Rumba, Samba, Salsa and Tango.
International style Latin American dances consist of Cha cha, Jive, Paso Doble, Rumba and Samba.
Mime Artist
A mime artist acts and performs to audiences without speaking. They use gestures and expressions instead. Well-known mime performances include the artist opening their hands and pretending to touch a wall or the mime artist pulling an invisible rope.
Opera
Originating in Italy, Opera is a style of live theatre in which the story is told through music and singing. Famous operas include Bizet's Carmen and Mozart's The Magic Flute
Poi
Poi is a style of juggling balls on ropes which are held in the hands and swung in circular movements. Poi performers use a variety of other materials apart from ropes, including brightly coloured streamers attached to the poi. Other performers use flags or large sheets of material which can be spun round in the same way as regular poi. The most difficult performance poi is with fire balls.
Rap
Rap is the delivery of rhymes, with or without music. Rap lyrics cover a variety of subjects which are generally about the artists experience or take on life. Originally, rapping was called MCing and accompanied DJing.
Stage Combat
This is a theatrical technique used to create the illusion of fighting on stage without causing any harm to the performers. Stage combat is frequently seen in live stage drama, opera and ballet.
Tightrope Walking
A popular circus act, tightrope walking involves a brave performer who walks along a thin wire or rope which is positioned high above the ground. A net below acts as a safety precaution should the performer fall.
Ventriloquism
In this entertainment act the ventriloquist throws their voice so that it appears that it is coming from somewhere else. Normally ventriloquists use a dummy for their act.
