Theatre Terms
a longer speech in a play that is given by one actor
What is a monologue?
the person who is in charge of a production, making all of the artistic decisions regarding the play
Who is the director?
the art of using movement without words to tell a story
What is Pantomime?
the last rehearsal before a performance
What is a dress rehearsal?
directors use these to tell an actor where to go on stage
What are stage directions?
keeping your body position open to the audience
What is cheating out?
the people who work backstage during a production helping to move scenery, etc.
Who are the backstage or running crew?
a type of theatre in which music and dance are used, in addition to dialogue, to tell the story
What is musical theatre?
the rehearsals focused on movement
What are blocking rehearsals?
the process of creating the pattern of movement on stage during a play
What is blocking?
making your voice loud and clear so everyone can hear and understand you
What is projecting your voice?
the furniture, scenery, etc. used to create the physical environment of the play
What is the set?
the art of creating characters and stories on the spot without planning or rehearsal ahead of time
What is improv (improvisation)?
when an actor has his/her lines and blocking memorized
What does it mean to be off book?
the area of the stage that is closest to the audience
What is downstage?
an object used by an actor on stage
What is a prop?
the playwright’s notes about the action or a character written in parentheses in a script
What are stage directions?
A popular form of entertainment in the early to mid-20th century (1920s-1950s) which required actors to perform plays using their voices and sound effects
What is radio drama?
a bird's eye view of the set layout
What is a ground plan?
using levels, groupings, cheating out, facial expression, body language, and more
What makes a good stage picture?
the imaginary wall between the actors on stage and the audience
What is the fourth wall?
a type of stage that has a frame or arch around the stage and the audience is seated in front of the stage
What is a proscenium theatre?
What is melodrama?
an art form in which performers tell a story in a live performance by portraying characters
What is theatre?
XDR
What is the abbreviation for "cross down right"?