Drama Theory and Vocal/Performance Fundamentals

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering theatre terminology, production roles, rehearsal/tech stages, drama definitions, vocal mechanics, and music theory note values.

Orchestra (Theatre Seating)

The section of seats closest to the stage on the main floor of the theatre, often the most prized and expensive seats.

Balcony

The third tier of seating located farthest from the stage, usually containing the most inexpensive seats in the house.

Orchestra Pit

A lowered area located directly between the stage and the orchestra section where the musicians perform.

Boxes

Tiered seating located close to and on either side of the stage.

House Right / House Left

Directions defined from the perspective of facing the stage: your right is House Right, and your left is House Left.

The Fourth Wall

An invisible dividing wall between the stage and the audience that actors may break to interact directly with the audience.

Proscenium

The most traditional stage set-up, where the stage is removed from the audience and framed by an arch.

Thrust Stage

A stage setup that protrudes directly into the audience, allowing seating on three sides.

In the Round

A circular playing space completely surrounded by the audience.

Environmental / Site Specific Staging

A staging conceit that transforms the house into a location that directly supports the action of the piece.

Book

The script of a musical, containing characters, dialogue, and plot details.

Director

The leader of the creative team who is ultimately responsible for all creative and artistic decisions in a production.

Producer

The person who plans and coordinates all aspects of a production and usually puts up or helps raise the money for the show.

Dramaturg

A member of the creative team who aids in continuity, clarification, and storytelling, maintaining authenticity in period pieces.

Swing

An off-stage performer responsible for learning multiple ensemble tracks to step in when someone is ill, injured, or missing.

Stand-By

An off-stage cover for the lead or star who is not in the show otherwise and checks in at the half-hour mark.

Dance Captain

An ensemble member responsible for running understudy rehearsals and maintaining the choreographer's vision.

Production Stage Manager (PSM)

The person responsible for coordinating every aspect of a production, scheduling, calling cues, and maintaining the artistic vision during the run.

Call Time

The non-negotiable arrival time for rehearsal or performance specified by the stage manager.

Blocking

The explicit paths and movements actors take onstage as decided by the director and actor.

Sitzprobe

A German term for the first rehearsal where performers sit and run through the full score with the orchestra.

Wandelprobe

A rehearsal running through the musical score with the orchestra while performers actively execute their stage blocking.

Invited Dress

The final night of tech where production team members can invite guests to view a run before paying audiences arrive.

Frozen (Show Status)

The point during previews when no more physical changes will be made to the show by the director.

Ghost Light

A single, exposed incandescent bulb left illuminated on stage overnight for practical safety and theatre superstition.

Macbeth (Superstition)

A Shakespeare play whose title is cursed to say in a theatre unless actively performing it; saying it requires exiting, spinning left three times, spitting, cursing, and knocking to re-enter.

Cold Reading

Script reading done by actors who have not previously seen or reviewed the play.

Pantomime

The performance technique of telling a story without words.

Breaking Character

When an actor loses concentration or uses dialogue/behavior inconsistent with the role being played.

Three Components of a Musical

Singing, Acting, and Dancing.

Triad

A musical chord consisting of $3$ notes.

Octave

A musical interval or series consisting of $8$ notes.

Vocal Fry

A vocal effect created by air passing through the vocal cords.

Four Largest Record Labels

Virgin, BMG, EMI, and Columbia.

Four Vital Parts of Amplifying Sound

Mixer, Amplifier, Speakers, and Microphones.

Four Voice Categories

Bass, Soprano, Tenor, and Baritone.

Four Vocal Resonators

Throat, Head, Chest, and Mask.

Decibels

The unit of measurement used to quantify sound volume.

Gain

An increase in audio volume.

Wedge

Another terminology word for a stage audio monitor.

Staccato

Notes played or sung in a short and detached manner.

Runs and Trills (RIFF)

Vocal gymnastics or rapid ornamental melodic variations.

Scat

Improvisational singing using nonsense syllables (such as 'dap dap dap do do do de de') over an instrumental track.

Fermata

A musical notation instructing the performer to hold a note at their discretion.

Support (Singing)

Providing the base for the voice using the diaphragm.

Pitch

The relative highness or lowness (placement) of a musical note.

Sharp (#)

A pitch state that is over pitch or too high.

Flat (b)

A pitch state that is under pitch or too low.

Syncopation

A musical dynamic level created by playing on the off-beat.

Semibreve

A note value equal to $4$ beats.

Minim

A note value equal to $2$ beats.

Crotchet

A note value equal to $1$ beat.

Quaver

A note value equal to $\frac{1}{2}$ beat.

Dotted Minim

A note value equal to $3$ beats.

Dotted Crotchet

A note value equal to $1\frac{1}{2}$ beats.