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Given circumstances are the environmental and situational conditions defined by the script that actors use to ground their performance in the fictional reality of the scene.

Table work is the initial phase of rehearsal where actors and directors discuss the script, characters, and plot, enabling a deeper understanding before physical staging begins.

Pace in theater refers to the tempo at which the action and dialogue of a scene progress. Adjusting pace can alter the energy and tension within the performance.

In acting, a 'beat' is a moment of pause that punctuates a scene, often used to enhance timing and give actors a moment to reflect a character's changing thoughts or emotions.

Method Acting is a technique that encourages actors to draw upon personal emotions and memories to portray a character’s inner life, leading to a deeper, more realistic performance.

Upstaging is when an actor draws attention away from another by standing upstage, forcing the other to turn and face away from the audience, generally considered poor stage etiquette.

Subtext is the underlying meaning in dialogue or action that goes beyond the literal words spoken, often revealing deeper insights into the character or the situation.

Backstory is the history or background created for a character that influences their motivations and actions within the play, offering depth and dimension to their portrayal.

The concept of 'the fourth wall' refers to the imaginary barrier between the audience and the performers. Breaking the fourth wall can engage the audience in a unique way.

Emotional memory is an acting technique where performers draw upon their own past emotions to inform their portrayal of a character’s feelings.

Blocking refers to the precise staging of actors in order to facilitate the performance. It impacts sightlines, engagement with the audience, and the visual storytelling of the scene.

Cold reading is the act of performing a script without prior preparation. This can display an actor's instinctual abilities and their skill to create character quickly.

In acting, stakes refer to the importance of what a character stands to gain or lose, which drives their actions and increases audience investment in their journey.

An actor's objective is what the character wants to achieve in a scene. Understanding this helps the actor to deliver a more purposeful and directed performance.

Improvisation is the act of creating dialogue or action spontaneously. It is used to foster creativity, flexibility in performances, and to discover new ways of interpreting a character or scene.

Cheating out is a stage technique where actors position themselves slightly towards the audience while appearing to interact with other characters, making sure they are seen and heard.

The 'Magic If' is a Stanislavski technique where actors ask themselves 'If I were this character in this situation, what would I do?' to inform their performance with genuine reactions.

The through line, or spine, is the main action or driving force that goes through a play and connects the character's objectives, shaping a cohesive performance.

Motivation refers to the reasons behind a character’s behavior, helping the actor to provide a more authentic and believable performance.