Theatre Terms – Flashcards
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Travelers
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Transverse curtains drawn from both sides of the stage, upstage of the Grand Drape; used to mask an upstage segment of the stage
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Teasers
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Short, horizontal draperies hung across the stage above the acting area to mask the overhead lights and the flies from the audience
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Scrim
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A drop, which is made from translucent or transparent material
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Legs
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Narrow, vertical stage drapes used to mask the sides of the stage, upstage of the proscenium.
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Flat
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Pieces of canvas stetched over wooden frames that are painted and linked together to create scenery such as walls and doorways
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Set piece
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A three-dimensional scenery piece that stands by itself, such as an arch, a stair, a fountain, a rock, a hedge or tree
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Props or Properties
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All practical parts of the design that are not structurally a part of the setting
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Set Props
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Includes the furniture and fixtures normally used by actors
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Decorative Props
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Used to help the designer establish the period, nationaly, or locale of the setting
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Hand Props
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Objects carried to and from the state by the actors or used by them while on stage
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Pantomime
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The art of acting without words, by using facial expressions, gestures, and expressive movements of the body or limbs to communicate
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Mime
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An offspring of pantomime that often conveys abstract ideas
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Improvisation
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THe impromptu portrayal of a character or scene; without a script
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Terminal Questions
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Can be answered by a "yes" or a "no"
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Character-centered Approach
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An approach to telling a story that focuses on a charater or group of characters who experience different situations
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Situation-centered Approach
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Story telling approach built around an event; takes a single situation or series of situations (TV sitcoms)
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Sit-com
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Situational comedy
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Motivated Sequence
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The natural way in which a person responds to an external stimulus--1) experiences the stimulus, 2) the brain registers 3)the body responds 4) reacts with the main response--as mirrored by an actor in improv
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Presentational Style
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Theatrical style in which the actors acknowledge the presence of the audience
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Representational Style
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Theatrical style in which the actors do not acknowledge the presence of the audience, but try to duplicate life
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Fourth Wall
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An imaginary wall between the audience and the actors in a representational play
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Cue Line
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Final line that signals an actor to begin the next speech
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On book
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Rehearsing with a script
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Off book
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Rehearsing with a script after lines are memorized
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Cross
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To move from one position to another on stage
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Open Up
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Turn, move toward the audience
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Cheat-Out
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Stage technique where an actors pivots the torso and turns the face toward the audience
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Aside
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Stage technique where an actor speaks to the audience rather than to the other characters who supposedly do not hear the speech
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Share a Scene
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Two actors standing or sitting parallel to each other in a dialogue
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Gesture
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A movement of any part of the body to help express an idea; to emphasize or clarify a thought or feeling
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Projection
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Controlling the voice's volume and quality so that it can be heard clearly
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Characterization
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Putting together all facets of a character to make that character a living, convincing human being
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Character Sketch
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A brief bio of a character in a play, including all the info provided by the script
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Body language
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Nonverbal communication using the body, by means of gestures, expressions of shifting of physical attitude, intended to suggest associated ideas or feelings
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Master Gesture
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A distinctive action that serves as a clue to a character's personality
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Leading Center
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A part of the body with which a character begins movement usually determined by the major personality trait
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Critique
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A positive or negative evaluation provided in response to a performance
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Set
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The scenery used on stage
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Inclination
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The bending of the body to the front, the side, or the rear
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Rotation
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Turning or pivoting a body part in smooth circles
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Isolation
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The process of separating parts of the body for individual development and expression
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Convention
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A special or traditional way of doing something; abstractions that communicate symbolic or literal meanings
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Palms Up
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A gesture that is receiving; pleading; giving
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Palms Down
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A gesture that implies a negative thought; a denial
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Clenched Fists
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A gesture that shows strength or emphasis; represents anger
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Pointed finger or Extended Arm
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A gesture that indicates direction, a command or idea
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Non-verbal
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A term that means "without words"
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Opposite action
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Emphasizes an action, making it appear bigger
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Theatre
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A place or building used for the presentation of plays
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Drama
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From a Greek word meaning "to do" or "to act"
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Humanities
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The areas of human interest that deal with arts and literature
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Empathy
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Emotional identification with someone or something outside of oneself
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Legitimate Theatre
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Live professional theatre, as distinguished from other media forms
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Critique
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An oral or written evaluation of a performance
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Stage
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Where the actors perform
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"On the Boards"
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An expression for performing on stage
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"Illusion of the First Time"
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Performing with freshness as if things have not been rehearsed
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Scenario
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A skeletal outline of stage action in the order of its development indicating scenes and characters
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Plot
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The series of related events that take place in a play presenting the main story
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Exposition
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The information given to the audience that provides where, when, why, and who facts of the story
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Conflict
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A struggle between two opposing forces; drama's most important ingredient
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Stagecraft
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The art and craft of putting on a production
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Comedy
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A play that deals with treating characters and situations in a humourous way
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Tragedy
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A play in which the protagonist fails to achieve his or her desired goals or is overcome by opposing forces
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Royalty
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The fee charged for the rights to present a play
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Audition
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A tryout for a production role
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Monologue
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A form of dramatic speech from a play by a single speaker
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Call
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The posted notice of rehearsals and auditions
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Resume
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A personal profile required for professional auditions
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Portfolio
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A collection of photos, reviews, and other experience info presented when seeking employment
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Open Audition
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Anyone in the student body is eligible to try out
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Closed Audition
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Restrictions are placed on which actors/students may try out
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Prepared Audition
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The actor brings in material that has been thoroughly worked out, including memorization and action
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Cold Reading
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An audition where the actor is given material never seen before and is expected to read the unfamiliar material well
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Improvisational Audition
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The actor is assigned a character and situation and must improvise a scene
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Callbacks
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Second or third auditions held for the final selection of candidates who might work together in physical appearance, voice, and personality
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Reading Rehearsal
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A rehearsal at which the play is read by the director or by members of the cast
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Blocking Rehearsal
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A rehearsal at which the movement and groupings on the stage are practiced
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Working rehearsal
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A rehearsal at which interpretation of the play is developed and words and actions are put together
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Stage Business
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A movement or gesture, especially a minor one, used by an actor to give atmoshere to a scene or help portray a character
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Technical Rehearsal
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A rehearsal at which lighting, scenery, and props are used to insure that technical changes go smoothly
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Dress Rehearsal
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The last, uninterrupted rehearsals when costumes, props, and scenery are used; the final rehearsal before performance
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Curtain Call
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The taking of bows with the full cast at the end of the show
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Etiquette
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Proper behavior required by the social situation
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Angel
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A financial backer
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Program
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A pamphlet that contains info about the show
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Producer
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The person who finds the final investors to put on the play, hires director, sets budget, and pays the bill
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Director
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The person in charge of the play's rehearsals; molds all parts of the production
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Business Manager
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The person responsible for the financial arrangements of the production, budgeting, paying all bills, handling tickets, etc
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Publicity Manager
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The person who handles the advertising and promotion of a play in the press and media; promotes in the school and community; helps with flyers and promotions
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House Manager
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The person responsible for distribution of programs, seating, and comfort of the audience
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Scenic Designer
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A person responsible for designing settings, and sometimes, costumes
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Technical Director
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A person who executes the designs of the scenic designer with help of crew; in charge of set, scenery, making props, and hanging lights
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Lighting Designer
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The person responsible for designing the light effects of the play and planning their position and focus
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Sound Designer
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The person responsible for designing the light effects for the play and planning the position of speakers
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Costume Designer
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The person who designs costumes and accessories to build or chooses to rent, barrow, or buy
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Wardrobe Manager
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Keeps costume plots and sees that every costume is complete, in good repair, and returned
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Makeup Artist
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Responsible for the application of facial/body cosmetics and accessories
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Stage Manager
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The person who, aided by stage crews, takes charge of backstage during performance; keeps the promptbook
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Properties Master
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The person who, under the guide of the Technical Director, is in charge of the prop crew and getting furniture, set props, storing them, prop table, and hand props
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Stage Crew
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The group of people working on set construction, props, lighting, sound, costumes, and makeup
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Grip
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A stage hand who moves scenery and furniture
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Prompter
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A person who is offstage and follows a play in progress from the script, repeating missed cues and supplying actors with forgotten lines
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Prompter
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A person who is offstage and follows a play in progress from the script, repeating missed cues and supplying actors with forgotten lines
