technical terms for drama and theatre

THEATER

the structure within which theatrical performances are given; usually includes an orchestra or seating area and a stage.

THEATRE

A collaborative art form including the composition, enactment, and interpretation of dramatic presentations for an audience.

STAGE CREW

responsible for running the show

ARTIST

a male or female person who performs a role in a play, television, or movie.

DIRECTOR

The person who oversees the entire process of staging a production.

THRUST STAGE

is the oldest known fixed type of staging in the world, and it is thousands of years old.

PROSCENIUM STAGE

a stage where the audience sits on one side. The audience faces one side of the stage directly, and normally sits at a lower height.

In-the-round Stage

is positioned at the center of the audience

Traverse Stage

a stage where the audience sits on the two sides

Proscenium

The view of the stage for the audience; also called a proscenium arch. The archway is in a sense the frame for stage as defined by the boundaries of the stage beyond which a viewer cannot see.

TEASER

the border drapes across the top of the stage that conceals the lighting instruments

TORMENTOR

the border drapes on the sides of the stage that conceal the backstage areas.

CYCLORAMA

The large muslin drape hung across the extreme upstage area that represents the sky.

GRAND DRAPE

The main curtain that conceals the stage from the audience. Usually red.

APRON

the area of the stage on the audience side of the grand drape.

Fly Rail

The ropes, pulleys, and arbors off stage right that control the height of the drapes, electrics, battens, and hanging scenery.

Battens

Pipes hung above the width of the stage that can be used for hanging scenery

Electric

A batten affixed with electrical outlets used for hanging and powering lighting instruments.

Backdrop

A large piece of painted fabric hung behind the actors. Usually painted to resemble a realistic location.

Cross

A movement from one part of the stage to another

Gestures

An expressive movement of the body or limbs.

STAGE DIRECTION

The actions of a play printed in the script by the publisher

Dialogue

the conversation between actors on stage.

Comedy

A theatrical work that is intentionally humorous.

Style

The distinctive and unique manner in which a writer arranges words to achieve particular effects.

Tragedy

a play that demonstrate a character's fall from grace, power, position or moral standing through his/her own actions.

Genre

a particular type or category of literature or art

Text

any printed words, including dialogue and the stage directions for a script.

Articulation

the clear and precise pronunciation of words.

PLOT

ordered structure of a play as the action progress through the story.

Crisis

A decisive point in the plot of a play on where the outcome of the remaining action depends.

ACT

subdivision between sections of a play.

Acting Area

The areas within the performance space, which the actor may move in, full view of the audience. Also known as the playing area.

ARENA

Form of stage where the audience are seated on at least two (normally three, or all four) sides of the whole acting area.

Audition

Process where the director or casting director of a production asks actors/actresses/performers to show him/her what they can do.

Backstage

The part of the stage and theatre which is out of the sight of the audience.

Blocking

The planning and working out of the movements of actors on stage.

Cast

The members of the acting company

Casting

the process of the director choosing actors to perform the characters in the play.

Costumes

Clothes worn by the actors on stage.

Cue

The command given to technical departments to carry out a particular operation.

Curtain Call

At the end of a performance, the acknowledgement of applause by actors - the bows.

Downstage

The part of the stage nearest to the audience (the lowest part of a raked stage).

Dress Rehearsal

A full rehearsal, with all technical and creative elements brought together.

Interval

Break between sections of a performance.

Offstage

A movement towards the nearest side of the stage from the center.

Props

(Properties) Furnishing, set dressings, and all items large and small which cannot be classified as scenery, electrics or wardrobe.

Stage Left/Right

Left/right as seen from the actor's point of view on stage.

Upstage

The part of the stage farthest from the audience.