A technique where a person (who we'll call the reader) reads subtle cues from their victims, normally in order to deceive them into thinking the reader has the power to speak with the deceased and pass on messages to the victims. This is the usual method employed by fair-ground gypsies to convince their victims they have psychic abilities. A name is often the first step. The reader asks their victim if a particular name has any meaning for them. Names such as William (Will, Bill), Edward (Ed, Ted), or Jack are often chosen since they were very common boys' names for men who would now be 70 to 100 years old if they were still alive. The chances are very high that a middle-aged person knows someone of the name that is suggested. During a reading the victim will almost certainly give the reader much more specific information than the reader gives the victim. Cold reading is given a Caution rating because it is very easy to get fooled by this sort of thing unless you are aware of what is happening.
Reading aloud, from the script, with no rehearsal.
A tryout when the actor uses material never seen before.
a reading out loud from a script/side without any rehearsal or study in advance
A set of statements purportedly gained by paranormal means but which in fact is wholly based on broadly accurate generalizations and/or on information obtained directly from the person seeking the reading, such as can be gleaned from facial gestures, clues in conversation, and so on.
a script that you are reading for the first time in front of the client, without time to memorize the lines
A psychic reading given with no prior knowledge of the sitter.
Unrehearsed reading of a particular part of a scene, usually at auditions.
Unrehearsed reading of a scene, usually at an audition.
A reading of a script done by actors who have not previously reviewed the play.
Cold reading is a term used by actors and other performers in theatre, television, film, and performance fields. A cold reading is a reading aloud from a script or other text without any rehearsal, practice or study in advance.