The 'Stage'
Elements of a Play
Terms for the Actor
Mapping the Stage
The Physical Stage
100
A movement or area toward the audience.
What is downstage
100
The written word.
What is Text
100
To keep absolutely still and motionless.
What is freeze
100
The set movement of all the actors onstage throughout the play.
What is blocking
100
The audience area.
What is House
200
A platform or acting area that juts out into the audience or auditorium.
What is thrust stage
200
The final outcome of the play.
What is conclusion
200
A movement, usually of the arm, that helps to express an idea or feeling.
What is gesture
200
The area of the stage that is the closest to the audience.
What is downstage
200
The front, often decorative, curtain of a stage.
What is Grand Drape/Main Rag:
300
A form of staging where the audience surrounds the acting area.
What is Theater in the Round
300
Where the play occurs in terms of time and place.
What is setting
300
The upwards and downwards pattern of the voice – rising and falling.
What is INTONATION
300
Movement from one area of the stage to another.
What is cross
300
Narrow curtains in the wings to mask the backstage areas.
What is legs
400
Acting area without a proscenium arch – no barriers between actors and audience.
What is open stage
400
The series of events following the climax.
What is Falling Action/Denouement:
400
Facing as much towards the audience as possible.
What is open up/cheat out
400
Facing the audience.
What is full front
400
An opening in the stage floor for actors to pass through to make entrances and exits.
What is trap
500
An arch framing the stage which separates the actors and audience.
What is PROSCENIUM ARCH
500
A long speech said by a single actor to themselves or the audience, but not to another character.
What is Soliloquy
500
Using a movement or position that may not be realistic but allows the audience to see the action more clearly.
What is cheating
500
The area of the stage that is the furthest from the audience.
What is upstage
500
An arched opening through which the audience sees the stage. Also a style of theater with the audience seated predominantly in front of the stage.
What is Proscenium
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