Common Theatre Terms
An interview for a particular role as a singer, actor, or dancer, consisting of a practical demonstration of the candidate's suitability and skill.
Auditions
A complete scene or play in a format to be produced by actors and directors.
Script
The actors ability to be understood by the audience.
Articulation/Diction
The area of the stage furthest from the audience.
Upstage
Usually the entire stage area not visible to the audience.
Backstage/Offstage
An additional audition for the final actors being considered.
Call Backs
What the play as a piece of art is trying to say to the audience.
Theme/Message
The last words or actions indicating the time for another actor to speak or move.
Cue
The right side of the stage from the actor’s point of view (facing the audience).
Stage Right
The areas to the left and right of the stage out of view to the audience. A part of the backstage area.
Wings
Person responsible for the physical set up, actors, and technical cues of a production as it is performed.
Stage Manager
The play revolves around this character. Often the “good guy”, but not always.
A story or action performed with out words, relying on body language.
Pantomime
Facing away from the audience.
Full Back
The usually curved area of the stage closest to the audience.
Apron
An uninterrupted rehearsal of a scene, act, or the entire play.
A long speech said by a single actor to themselves or the audience, but not to another character.
Soliloquy
Lines made up by an actor to fill in where there would be an undesireable pause, due to dropped lines, technical problems, etc.
Ad lib
Cross
An arched opening through which the audience sees the stage.
Proscenium