A physical or vocal quirk or habit associated with a character
mannerism
The ability to captivate an audience.
The call for all performers and stage crew to take their positions for the start of the rehearsal or performance.
Places
A performer who fills in as a substitute when the regular performer is unable to go on stage.
understudy
The art of carefully planning, choreographing, and rehearsing fight sequences for the stage
Stage Combat
The vertical positions or height of the performer's body (low, middle, high)
A distinctive way of speaking a language typical to a certain country, region, or group of people.
Accent
A word, phrase, or action that signals to a performer to begin a line, entrance, exit, or action.
A final run through of the entire show, including all of the technical and production elements.
An observation or remark made directly to the audience
Aside
The inner thoughts of a character that are not spoken out loud
The reason a character behaves or speaks in a certain way.
Motivation
Activities or actions that add detail and believability to the character or scene
Stage Business
The last performance of the run of a theatrical production.
Closing Night
The imaginary wall between the performers and the audience that separates the two and creates a framed window through which to view the world of the play.
Fourth Wall
A character's goal, desire, or intention at a certain point in the story
Objective
Pulling focus away from fellow performers by drawing attention toward oneself
Upstaging
A performer's arrival onto or departure from the stage.
Entrance/Exit
A rehearsal in which all of the production elements are integrated together with the performers
Tech Rehearsal
An actor; from Thespis, regarded as the first Greek actor and inventor of tragedy.
Thespian
To turn and face out to the audience.
Cheat Out
Performers bend forward to the audience to signal the end of the show.
Bow
An exaggerated whisper that is loud enough for the audience to hear.
Stage Whisper
A frozen picture or stage composition in which the performers remain motionless
Tableau
The tempo and timing of a performer or stage production.
Pacing