Theatre Terminology

Acting and Directing

100

Movements performed by an actor on stage, are usually determined by the director.

Blocking

200

Bows at the end of a play

Curtain Call

300

Attracting attention from the person to whom the focus belongs, either by positioning upstage or by distracting focus. 

Upstaging

400

A move by one actor to counter the move of another actor, moving from behind someone so one person will not be blocked by another

Counter-Cross

500

Indicates on a script when an actor moves from one part of the stage to another

Cross (X)

Set and Stage

100

Anything carried or handled by the actor

Hand Props

200

All areas not on the stage - actors wait here, and props are stored here. 

Backstage

300

All furniture on stage/any objects that are permanently a part of the set

Set Prop

400

Decorating the set before the play opens

Dressing the Set

500

Taking the set apart after the final performance

Striking the Set

Set and Stage and Lighting

100

Painted cloth/board hung at the back of the stage as part of scenery

Backdrop

200

Where all the props are organized and stored backstage

Prop Table

300

A focused light on area/actor

Spotlight

400

Main Lights over the audience

House Lights

500

Light gradually dims down

Fade to Black

Acting and Lighting

100

Lights quickly go out

Blackout

200

A trigger for the action to start at a specific time (sound/light cue, etc.)

Cue

300

Refers to actions performed by an actor to make a character more believable

Stage Business