Quick questions on Ensemble and status explained: H2 Theatre Studies and Drama

An ensemble is a group of performers who work as a unified whole rather than a collection of individuals competing for attention. Ensemble playing requires generosity (supporting others), shared timing and rhythm, awareness of the whole stage picture, and above all genuine listening, responding truthfully to what other actors actually do rather than waiting to say the next line. A strong ensemble can move, react and transform as one body, which is why so much modern and physical theatre is built on ensemble discipline.

Keith Johnstone's influential idea is that status is something we play, not something fixed by social rank. In every interaction, people send signals that raise or lower their status relative to others, and a servant can play high status to a master, or a king low status to a subject. Treating status as played behaviour gives actors a precise, active tool for performing relationships, because it turns abstract "power" into concrete, choosable physical and vocal signals.

Treating status as fixed within a scene misses the drama; the interest lies in the transactions and the shift where the balance changes.

"He is dominant" is weak; name the concrete signals (stillness, eye contact, use of space and time) that perform the status.

Explain Keith Johnstone's idea that status is "played" rather than fixed. [3 marks]

List three high-status signals and three low-status signals. [4 marks]

Why are status shifts often the dramatic turning points of a scene? [3 marks]