Download Drama Terminology

Dramatic Literature /
Theatre
-a
play; a form of literature
that is intended to be
performed before an
audience.
-In a drama, the story is
presented through the
dialogue and the actions of
the characters.
Monologue
When a character speaks at
length to a character or the
audience without any
interruption
Dialogue
Conversation between two
or more people that
advances the action
Soliloquy
When an actor thinks out
loud
When a character says his
thoughts/comments on the
actions of a play out loud;
meant to be heard by the
audience but not by the
other characters.
Aside
Act
A major division of a play; may
be used to indicate a change in
time or place
Scene
a division of an act or the play
itself
Actor
Cast
Director
one who performs a role or
represents a character in a
play
the actors who perform in a
given play
the person responsible for the
direction of the actors in a
play; provides the play’s
“vision”
Playwright
One who writes plays, a
dramatist
Producer
The person who puts together a
theatrical production and obtains
the financial backing. Does hiring,
advertising, manages budget etc.
Script
the text of a play that
includes dialogue and
stage directions
Stage directions
notes added to the script
of a play, generally in italics
or parentheses that
provide the line readings,
business, blocking etc.
Cue
A signal from the stage manager to
the actor, stage crew, props manager
or lighting technician that some
predetermined action such as an
entrance is required.
Blocking
Determining the basic movements of
the actors during a play. Sometimes
developed by playwright, sometimes
developed by actors, but usually
supplied by the director.
Stage business
All the actions, EXCLUDING the
blocking performed by the actors
onstage (ex opening windows,
writing letters etc.)
Set
the surroundings in which the
action of the play develops
Props (short for stage
properties)
Objects used on stage by actors to
further the plot or story line or to
develop character
Costumes
clothing worn by the actors in a
performance, usually helps to
develop character or indicate time
period in which play takes place
Makeup
cosmetics that actors use on stage
to make the characters seem
natural, aged, or having a
particular characteristic such as
facial hair or a large nose etc.
Lighting
for visibility and to create
mood or special effects.
Sound Effects
artificially created or enhanced
sounds for a theatrical
production (ex. thunder, a car
starting, a telephone ringing)
Wings
The are immediately off stage
left and right where the actors
await their cues.
Parts of a stage
Up right (UR)
Up Center (UC)
Up Left (UL)
Right (R)
Center (C)
Left (L)
Down Right (DR)
Down Center (DC)
Down Left (DL)
Audience