The Stage
Stage Right & Left, Center Stage, Down Stage & Up Stage
Directions
The person responsible for all creative and artistic decisions in the production
Director
A secondary character whose role is to support or conflict with the lead
Supporting/Character Actor
The week prior to the opening night of a play, musical or similar production in which all of the technical elements are present during rehearsal for the first time
Tech Week
Every actor needs to be in the theater at least a ____ before the performance time, if not earlier
Half Hour
The most traditional stage set-up. The stage is removed from the audience and framed by an arch that separates it from the audience.
Proscenium
The people responsible for all the physical and auditory aspects of the production
Designers
Members of the _____ are called upon to sing, dance, and play smaller roles in a musical.
Ensemble
Some days in tech will be designated a 12-hour workday, 10 of those hours spent working with two hours allowed for meals and breaks.
10 out of 12
Meaning for some reason a show has a set closing date, usually due to an actor or theater’s availability.
Limited Run
An invisible divider between the stage and audience
The Fourth Wall
The person responsible for telling the story through dance
Choreographer
Usually a member of the ensemble, this actor will be responsible for learning the part of a leading or supporting actor
Understudy
The last night of tech when members of the production are allowed to invite one or two guests to view the show. It’s the opportunity for everyone to do a run in front of a “friendly” house before paying customers arrive.
Invited Dress
If there is any kind of physical altercation in the production, a specific amount of time will be set prior to half-hour to run this, overseen by SM, to make sure everyone is comfortable and safe
Fight Call
A stage that protrudes directly into the audience and allows for seating on three sides of the stage.
Thrust
The person/team responsible for bringing actors to the director for potential roles in the production.
Casting Director(s)
Usually offstage, a multi-talented performer who’s responsible for learning many ensemble tracks so that they can come on when someone is ill, injured, or missing the performance for any reason.
Swing
A German word that describes the first time the performers sit and run through the full score with the orchestra. Time is taken to incorporate the two elements until the Music Director is satisfied.
Sitzprobe
A certain number of prime seats, usually in the orchestra or front mezz, that are held aside for special guests or friends of the creative team. These seats are sold at face value
House Seats
A circular playing space in which the audience completely surrounds the playing space and the performers.
In the Round
Aids in the continuity, clarification, and storytelling of a production
Dramaturg
An off-stage cover for the lead or star of a show, usually not in the show in any way
Stand-By
Much like a sitzprobe, only this usually happens while performing the blocking. It could mean there’s not enough time in the process to sit down with the orchestra and really integrate the two elements.
Wandelprobe
The producer of a production sets aside a certain number of seats for each performance that are sold at a highly discounted rate
Rush