Stage Terms
Acting/Script Terms
Movement Terms
Technical Terms
Stage Positions
100
Part of the stage closest to the audience.
What is downstage
100
The length of a pause between words, speeches, or actions.
What is Beat
100
Determining the basic movements of the actors during a play. Some may be provided by the playwright but majority are supplied by the director.
What is blocking.
100
A lighting cue that requires the lighting technician to totally darken the entire stage.
What is blackout
100
The actor faces directly in front of the audience.
What is full front
200
Part of the stage farthest away from the audience and it was elevated in ancient Greek and Roman times.
What is upstage
200
To increase the loudness, rate, and energy of a line, speech, scene, or song in order to reach a climax.
What is build
200
All actions, excluding blocking performed by actors on stage.
What is business
200
When the actor is allowed to use the script and when they should no longer need the script.
What is on/off book
200
The actor has their full back to the audience.
What is full back
300
Always the actor's _____________and the actor's __________when performing on stage.
What is stage left and right
300
The area of the stage in front of the curtain line.
What is apron
300
To turn the body out, partially toward the audience, while appearing to talk directly to another character on stage.
What is cheat
300
As an actor the line or action that gives you memory recall of your next action or line.
What is cue line/action
300
Two actors face each other so only their sides are shown.
What is profile
400
The audience seating area.
What is house
400
Any items used on stage to decorate the set and help set the dramatic action.
What is props
400
Movement of an actor from one position on the stage to another.
What is cross
400

A scene with little movement and no drive; to be avoided at all costs.

A Static Scene
400
The actor is cheating to the right or left so 3/4 of their face is shown.
What is 1/4 turn
500
The leaving of the acting area by an actor.
What is exit
500
Rate of performance and speed at which the lines are being delivered.
What is pacing
500
To cross toward the centre of the stage.
What is move in
500

An acting technique using some personal experience to trigger emotion in a scene on stage.

Emotional Memory Recall

500
The actor turns away from the audience so that they see 3/4 of their back and only 1/4 of their face.
What is 3/4 turn
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