comp /comping
verb: to create a composition
Noun: a theatrical technique that involves selecting and arranging components of theatrical language to create new work.
Each exodus experience is made up of hundreds of compositions or “comps”
Eventually, comps become scenes or ideas that are folded into or inform the scene
To learn more, visit https://stilluntitledproject.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/anne-bogart-and-tina-landau-the-viewpoints-book.pdf
viewpoints
a movement-based technique and training method that helps actors and directors create and analyze performances
architecture, topography, spatial relationships, gesture, shape, tempo, duration, repetition and kinesthetic response
To learn more, visit https://stilluntitledproject.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/anne-bogart-and-tina-landau-the-viewpoints-book.pdf
ingredients
elements given to actors for inclusion in a composition
A composition is made by actors receiving too many ingredients and too little time
To learn more visit https://stilluntitledproject.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/anne-bogart-and-tina-landau-the-viewpoints-book.pdf
jo ha kyu
at its most basic, translates to “beginning middle end”
more accurately “beginning/opening,” “break/progression,” and “rapid/climax”.
Often referred to when reviewing a scene
There can be many jo ha Kyus inside of one another
To learn more, visit https://db2.the-noh.com/edic/2009/06/johakyu_1.html
drunk idea
a tried and true exo statement, one you are certain to hear a lot
An idea that may be non sensical, sloppy, unfinished, but it’s an idea either way! Who knows, you just might discover something totally amazing.
Drunk ideas should be received like your drunk bestie: no judgement, try to understand them the best you can, and lift it up!
slel
a “shalom” or “aloha” of exoland
original by founding member Cameron Roberts, “slel” and similar-sounding gibberish words are used primarily as confirmation phrases (things like “I get it,” “I agree,” and “I heard you.”) or exclamations of excitement.
czar
verb: to take leadership of a particular project or aspect of operations
noun: said person in the leadership position
Ex: “who wants to czar this?”
addy paper
picture this: you’re in college, scrambling to write that big paper you’ve been putting off, and pop an adderral. You write, it’s fast, it’s flying, you’re like “I’m amazing” and once you read it back, you’re immediately like “what is this garbage?”
In exoland, an addy paper is a run of a show early during development in which all of the scenes are shoved together, almost randomly or haphazardly, in order to explore the function of time within a show, or to draw comparisons we may not have discovered yet.
scaffold
the structure of a play during the development period
ex: a cast will “put up a scaffold,” meaning they will run the show or a large portion of the show with an attempt and focus on sequencing
often used as a marker or due date within a development process
paint splatter
Often occurs during earliest stage of development: ideas, visuals, references are mashed together and comped without regard for how it connects to other comps
Like the big brother of a drink idea
Domino
Think of a play like a line of dominoes: in order for one to fall, the one before must fall, and so on.
A plot domino is an event, discovery, or moment in the show that allows other actions of the play to take place
On average, each scene should at least one plot domino
walkthrough
actors move through their tracks of a show, often shortening the scenes to either the “tops and bottoms” of each scene, or boiling down the language into abbreviated, unsubtle, fast language
speed through
like a walkthrough, but faster
Expansion pack
an idea that is attached to another idea, but not exclusively, sometimes in solving a problem or deciding where to go next
example: April says “I have these two ideas,” Garrett says “I have an idea that adds to that idea, but could also belong elsewhere.” Patrick says “I like option 1 with the Garrett expansion pack,” which indicates that he may not like the idea as much if the expansion pack were not included”
double
A double is a person in a performance role that is shared equally between them and another member of the company.
cover
A cover is a person who, as the name indicates, provides coverage should the primary player of the role get sick, take MRE, or otherwise cannot perform.
locations
Jayson space
Where the bulk of exodus items and technology is set up
This is the room where our production of JAYSON takes place exclusively. However, it is the home to many other exodus projects as well.
Chatter space
The largest gallery in CCA
This space is cleared out and shared with Chatter, our CCA partner organization, on Saturday morning.
Similarly, “chatter chairs” are chairs being set up in the Chatter space.
Work room
The room where personal items and props are stored, also a location for smaller meetings
This room is marked with doors on either end.
Back room
The room beyond the door of the workroom, closest to the exit
This room is additional storage as well as James’ desk
Mid room
This hallway-like room is in between the work room and the Jayson space.
Features tall storage, often from a rotating gallery, as well as shelving that is often use to hold props mid-show
Timeline hallway
named after a gala project in which we installed a big exo-timeline, this hallway connects the front entrance to the bathrooms, Jayson space, and Chatter space.
It is typically marked by the threshold/frame created by the walls themselves
Glossary created by: Gracie