GCSE Drama Vocabulary

Accent

A way of speaking in a local area or country.

Blackout

Lighting term: switching all lights out at once, leaving the stage in complete darkness.

Centre stage

The middle of the stage.

Body language

Non-verbal communication by movement or position.

Cyclorama

Plain cloth or plastered wall filling the rear of the stage. May be curved at the ends.

Downstage

From an audience’s perspective towards the front of the stage (left, right, centre).

End on staging

The audience faces one side of the stage directly, and may sit at a lower height or in tiered seating.

Facial expression

Look on face which shows emotions.

Filter (lighting)

A sheet of plastic usually composed of a coloured resin sandwiched between two clear pieces.

Flood

A lantern without a lens that produces a broad non-variable spread of light.

Fly

To raise or lower scenery and equipment above the performing area by means of a rigging system.

Furnishings

Furniture, fittings, and other decorative accessories such as curtains and carpets.

Gait

A person's manner of walking.

Gauze

See-through material which cannot be seen through when lit from the front, but can be seen through when lit from behind.

Gel

Film placed in front of a lantern to change the colour of the beam.

Gesture

Any movement of the actor’s head, shoulder, arm, hand, leg, or foot to convey meaning.

Gobo

Thin metal place cut out in a pattern and placed in a lantern to project pattern or shape onto the acting space.

Inflection

Change in pitch or loudness of the voice.

Intonation and phrasing

Rising and falling of voice in speech.

Pace

The speed at which someone or something moves, or with which something happens or changes.

Pause

A break in speaking, period of silence.

Pitch

The particular level (high or low) of a voice, instrument or tune.

Posture

Physical alignment of a performer’s body, or a physical stance taken by a performer which conveys information about the character being played.

Projection (Design)

Slides or video are used to project film, images or textures. Lighting effects, Moving cloud, rain or fire effects can be achieved.

Projection (vocal)

Directing the voice out of the body to be heard clearly at a distance.

Promenade stage

Performance area may be set in various locations in a venue. Audience follows the action on foot, moving from one location to another.

Proscenium arch staging

The audience faces one side of the stage directly, and may sit at a lower height or in tiered seating. The frame around the stage is called the proscenium arch.

Prop

Any moveable item used on the set of a play or handled by an actor.

Pyrotechnics

The use of explosions, flashes and smoke on stage.

Proxemics

Referring to spatial signifiers of the relationship between different performers or a performer and elements of the set which convey information about character and circumstances.

Strobe

Device giving a fast series of very short intense light flashes which can have the effect of making action appear intermittent. Because strobe lighting can trigger an epileptic attack in sufferers, the use of a strobe must be communicated to the audience before the performance begins.

In the round staging

The stage is positioned at the centre of the audience. This means that there’s an audience around the whole stage

Thrust staging

Where the acting area in front of the proscenium arch comes forward so that some of the audience are sitting on three sides of the action of the play.

Traverse staging

Where the audience sits on two sides – like a catwalk.

Trucks

Pieces of scenery on wheels for ease of movement.

Volume

Loudness or quietness of the voice.

Upstage

From an audience’s perspective towards the back of the stage (left, right, centre).