Stages
Directions
Instructions typically used for telling the actor where to go. Eg. Upstage, Downstage, Left Stage, and Right stage.
Director
Responsible for all the creative and artistic decisions.
Leading Actor
The person in the role of the main character/protagonist
House Seats
A certain number of prime seats, usually in the orchestra or front mezz.
Balcony
The third tier of seating, located farthest from the stage.
The Fourth Wall
An invisible diving "wall" that separates the audience and the stage.
Music Director
They oversee all of the musical aspects
Understudy
Responsible for learning the part of a leading/ supporting actor in case they cannot make it
When a show has a set closing date, usually due to an actor or theater’s availability.
Orchestra Pit
A lowered area located directly between the stage and the orchestra section where the musicians perform.
Thrust
A stage that goes directly into the audience with seating on three sides of the stage.
Casting Director
They bring actors to the director for possible roles in the production
Stand-by
An off-stage cover for the for the lead actor.
Open-ended Run
As long as the show is selling tickets and making money, it will continue to run.
The section of seats closest to the stage, on the main floor of the theater.
Proscenium
The stage is framed by an arch that separates it from the audience.
Designers
Responsible for all the physical aspects of the production, eg. clothes, and set design
Dance Captain
They run all understudy rehearsals.
Fight Call
If there is any kind of physical altercation in the production, a specific amount of time will be set prior to half-hour
Mezzanine
The second seating tier, usually overhanging the orchestra at its midpoint
In the Round
A circular stage where the seating/audience completely surrounds the stage
Conductor
Set the musical tempo for each number, and leads the orchestra.
Swing
A performer who’s responsible for learning many ensemble tracks so that they can “swing on” when someone misses the performance
Rush
The producer of a production sets aside a certain number of seats for each performance that are sold at a highly discounted rate.
Boxes
Tiered-seating located close to and on either side of the stage