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BASIC
THEATRE
TERMINOLOGY
FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE I
APRON
The stage floor
between the front
edge of the stage
and the front
curtain.
ARENA STAGE
Staging in the center
of a room with the
audience sitting on
all sides of the
playing area;
sometimes called
theatre in the round.
ASIDE
Words spoken by a character to the audience rather than
to the other characters, who supposedly DO NOT hear the
speech.
AUDITION
Tryout for a
part in a play,
t.v. show or
movie.
BACKDROP / DROP
A painted canvas or
muslin curtain hung
from a batten to
form part of the
scenery.
BACKSTAGE
The area behind
the scenery not
visible to the
audience.
BATTEN
A horizontal pipe
suspended over the
stage, from which
scenery, lights or
curtains are hung;
also called a rail.
BLOCKING
The director’s
planned
movement
for the actor’s.
CASTING
The process of
selecting actors
for various
roles.
COLD READINGS
When an actor auditions for a
role without having read the
script beforehand.
COUNTER-CROSS
Moving in the opposite direction –
and out of the way- of another
actor who is moving across the
stage.
CROSS
When an actor moves
from one side of the stage
to another.
CUE
A
directive
for
action.
DIRECTOR
The person responsible
for interpreting the
script, creating a viable
production concept,
and directing the
actor’s.
DOWNSTAGE
The area of
the stage
closest to the
audience.
DRESS REHEARSALS
A run-through with
all technical
elements, including
costumes and makeup.
EXTERNAL TRAITS
Characteristics that make up a
character’s physical appearance,
such as posture, gestures,
mannerisms, voice and clothing.
FLATS
Pieces of canvas or
plywood attached to
wooden frames,
painted and linked
together, to create
walls and doors on
stage.
FLY SPACE
The area above the
stage where
scenery, drops and
lights are hung when
not in use.
FOURTH WALL
The imaginary
wall through
which the
audience views
the play.
“GOING-UP”
When an actor forgets lines during
rehearsal or a performance; also
called blanking.
GRAND DRAPE
The curtain that
covers the
opening of the
proscenium
arch.
GRAND VALANCE
Used in conjunction
with the grand drape. It
masks the scenery and
equipment just up stage
of the proscenium arch.
HOUSE
The place
where the
audience sits.
HOUSE LIGHTS
Auditorium lights
used before and
after the play and
during
intermission.
ILLUSION OF THE FIRST TIME
The actor’s ability to perform in a show
over and over while making it appear
that the dialogue and situations are
happening for the first time.
IMPROVISATION
An impromptu scene where the
actors make up the dialogue and
action on the spot.
LEGS
Narrow,
vertical stage
drapes used
for masking.
LOAD-IN
The moving of scenery
and associated
equipment into the
theatre and their
positioning on the
stage.
Method Acting
An approach that
calls on the actor to
use personal
experience and
sense memory to
develop a character.
MONOLOGUE
A long
speech
spoken by
one actor.
MOTIVATION
A specific reason for
saying or doing
something.
OFF-BOOK
Having a part
memorized so
that a script is no
longer needed.
PANTOMIME
Telling a story or
presenting an idea
through bodily
movement and
expression
without words.
PLAYWRIGHT
Person who
writes and
develops the
script.
PRODUCER
Person who selects
the script, finds the
financial backing
and hires all
production
personnel.
PROJECT
Increase voice
so it will carry
to the
audience.
PROMPT BOOK
A book (usually in a
3-ring binder) that
contains the script
with the director’s
ideas and blocking
notations.
PROPS
Items handled by
actor’s such as
books, ornaments, a
broom, a glass,
glasses, a suitcase
etc.
PROSCENIUM STAGE
A stage with a
permanent framed
opening through
which the audience
sees the play.
THIS IS THE KIND OF STAGE WE HAVE HERE AT
ALLATOONA
RAKED STAGE
A slanted stage,
where upstage is
slightly higher
than downstage.
READERS THEATRE
A form of theatre
in which actors
are seated and
read aloud from a
script.
ROLE
A part in a play,
t.v. show or
movie.
RUN-THROUGH
A rehearsal
without
interruption.
SCENERY
The background
pieces such as flats
and drops to create
the play’s setting.
SIGHTLINES
Imaginary lines
indicating visibility
of stage areas from
different points in
the house.
STAGE LEFT
The left side of the
stage from the
actor’s perspective
as he or she faces
the audience.
STAGE
The area where
the action of
the play takes
place.
STAGE CREW
Those who shift
the sets and
props during
rehearsals and
performances.
STAGE MANAGER
Person who assists the
director during
rehearsals and manages
all backstage activity
once the play has
opened.
STAGE RIGHT
The right side of the
stage from the
actor’s perspective
as he or she faces
the audience.
STRIKE
Taking down the set
following the
conclusion of a
play’s production
run.
THRUST STAGE
A stage that juts out
into the audience
area, with the
audience usually
sitting around its
three sides.
UPSTAGE
The stage area
farthest away
from the
audience.
UPSTAGING
Drawing the
audience’s attention
to yourself when it
should be focused
on another
character.
WINGS
Tall cloth covered
frames or narrow
unframed drops that
are placed on either
side of the stage.