Theatre Terms

Act

Major division in a play, usually depicted by change of time or location. (Modern: 2 acts, 19th Century: 3 acts, Shakespeare: 5 acts)

Scene

Smaller units of action within and Act, usually depicted by entrances/ exits (can be time/ location)

Blackout

All lights go out simultaneously, usually indicating the end of a scene

Setting

The time and location of the story

Atmosphere

The mental or emotional climate of a story (mood)

Protagonist

Most important character (main character)

Antaganist

Characters who opposes the protagonist

Dramatic Irony

The audience is more aware then the characters

Ad-lib

To make up spontaneous dialogue, usually small talk

Beat

Dramatic pause

Prologue

A brief opening section before a longer work, usually focuses on theme or plot

Monologue

 An extended speech by one person on stage

Soliloquy

A speech by a character when alone, often a reflection their thoughts

Aside

Lines spoken in such a way that suggests the other characters on stage can't hear them

Fourth wall

Imaginary line between the actors and the audience

Mask

To cover something from the audience's view

Backdrop

Painted canvas or curtains hung upstage (projections)

Flat

Canvas covered wooden frame used for setting or masking

Downstage

Closer to audience

Upstage

Furthest from audience and distracting at to the actor

Rake

A slant or angle

Stage left

Actor’s left

Stage right

Actor’s right

Wings

Offstage right and left of the acting area

Crossover

A behind passage way hidden from the audience's view

Apron

Stage area in front of  the curtain (called the pit in musicals)

House

Audience seating area

Green room

Waiting room for actors

Proscenium stage

Thrust stage

Alley stage

Arena stage/ 360 stage

Blackbox theatre

Blocking

Physical movement onstage

Cheat

Play more toward the audience

Exit

Direction for a character to leave the stage

Exeunt

Direction for all characters to leave stage

Business

Detailed bits of action that are not clarified in the stage directions

Hand props

Any object that can be handled by and actor in a scene (on set or brought on)

Set props

Usually larger items that are interacted with by an actor in a scene (furniture)

Set dressing

Objects that enhance the design of the scene

Call

Posted announcement for rehearsal

Prompt book

Copy of the script with all the blocking and other notes (master script)

Royalty

Money paid to the author or publisher to produce a play

Desire (objective or intention)

Statement of what a character wants most (intangible)

Will

A character's relative strength to attain their desire

Moral stance

A character’s values

Beat

 Contained character mood intensity

Decorum

Physical appearance, stance, walk, poise, voice and speaking rhythm