Prop/Costume
Prop: An item used by a character while on stage. (Example: The investigator’s magnifying glass.)
Costume: Something worn by a character while on stage.
Tragedy/Cue
Tragedy: A serious drama with heavy themes, typically with an unhappy ending.
Cue: The dialogue or action before an actor given line or movement. This tells the actor to go.
Protagonist
The main character that carries the central thought of the play. This character is trying to reach an objective.
Rising Action
All of the action that happens leading up to the climax of the play.
Stage Directions
Description or direction that indicates actors’ movements or stage business (usually written in italics and parenthesis). Also, locations on a stage from the actor’s perspective; center stage, stage right, stage left, upstage (towards the back of the stage), downstage (towards the front of the stage).
Performance
Presenting a final piece in front of at least one audience member
Melodrama
A style of overacting (exaggerated) that focuses on being over the top rather than realistic characterization or situations. (Example: Soap Operas)
Antagonist
The person or thing standing between the protagonist and the protagonist’s objective. This character is most often the villain.
Climax
The point from which major conflict can go no further without bringing about the resolution. The climax is the highest point of dramatic tension.
Dress Rehearsal
The final rehearsal before the performance where all the technical elements are folded into the performance.
Set Piece/Projection
Set Piece: A large piece on stage, often a piece of furniture that creates the world of the play.
Projection: Speaking loudly by using breath support
Musical
A drama where the plot is pushed forward through music and dialogue.
Ensemble/Tableau
Ensemble: A group of people making up the cast of the production.
Tableau: Frozen picture created by the actors
Resolution
The solution to the main conflict
Playwright/Dialogue
Playwright: One who writes plays
Dialogue: A conversation between two or more characters. The playwright writes the dialogue
Drama
play telling a story through action and dialogue that is designed for theatrical performance. (Comedy, Tragedy, and Melodrama are types of drama.)
Character
A person, animal, or entity in a story, scene, or play. The character is played by an actor.
Plot
The action of the story presented on stage including the beginning, middle, and end
Rehearsal
Practice of a particular piece over and over until it is ready for public performance
Script/Setting
Script: The written dialogue, descriptions, and stage directions provided by the playwright
Setting: The time and place of a scene or play
Comedy
A drama of light and amusing character, typically with a happy ending. (makes you laugh)
Objective
What a character wants in the play. This is their main goal.
Conflict/Actor
Conflict: The main problem of the plot, the main reason for telling the story
Actor: The person who plays the character in a performance
Blocking
A way to organize action onstage; when the director tells the actors what to do and when to do it
Scenes/Director
Scenes: the subdivision of an act in a play, identified by place and time. Similar to a chapter in a book.
Director: A person in charge of the cast and crew, and has final say over all decisions.