Phrases
A phrase of encouragement offered to performers prior to a show.
What is "break a leg?"
A light left on when the theater is closed for the night
What is a ghost light
Objects on stage or items actors use such as furniture sometimes not part of the actual scenery.
What are props?
What an actor wears to evoke the appearance of a particular character.
What is a costume
A large drapery of painted canvas that provides the rear or upstage masking of a set.
What is a backdrop
A phrase used when actors improvise their lines whether
What is "ad-lib?"
The areas to either side of the stage that the audience does not normally see.
What are the wings
produced by the vaporization of various oil based substances
What is smoke
A performer in a play
What is an actor
This is a type of border used in combination with tormentors to frame the audience’s window onto the stage.
What is a Teaser?
A phrase used to describe flagrant action over acting
What is Hamming
The space below the stage used for accessing traps. It is useful as a storage area.
What is the trap room
A large drapery of painted canvas that provides the rear or upstage masking of a set.
What is a backdrop
A prearranged sign that indicates to a performer, crew member or stage technician that it is time to proceed to the next line or action.
What is a cue?
Although unionized actors and crew have been known to do this, in the theatre this term is generally used to describe the process of disassembling the set when a production closes.
What is a strike