From: http://www.outofjoint.co.uk/education/actioning.html
Actioning is the process of allocating an action or intention to each line or idea in a script.
The action is described with a transitive verb – this is a verb that is “done to” someone else, such as “teases” or “threatens” or “distracts”. It helps actors to decide and convey clearly what their character is trying to “do” with each line to the person or people it is spoken to. Perhaps they are trying to shock; to reassure; to intrigue; to seduce; to amuse.
The technique can be used in regular dialogue or even when the audience is being addressed directly. As well as giving actors a clarity of purpose for every line, it is also a useful tool for keeping a performance consistent over the course of a long run.
Out of Joint’s director Max Stafford-Clark is associated with the technique, having used it and popularised it for 30 years.
Click link for full list: http://texasartsproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/TacticList21.pdf
