Dramatic and theatrical terms

action

physical movement conveying meaning

chorus

group commenting on the play’s action

comedy

humorous genre with happy resolution

tragedy

serious genre ending in downfall

conflict

clash between opposing forces

suspense

anxiety about future events

tension

emotional strain between characters

contrast

juxtaposition of different elements

devised drama

original work created collaboratively

devising process

methods to create original drama

dialogue

spoken exchange between characters

ensemble

group working cohesievly as performers

exposition

introduction of background information

climax

peak emotional turning point

resolution

final outcome or situation

genre

category of drama

style

distinctive artistic approach

plays

performance

improvisation

emotional unscripted spontaneous performance

moment

significant instant in a scene

mood

emotional atmostphere of a scene

pace

speed of delivery or action

rhythm

pattern of movement or speech

tempo

rate of scene progression

plot

sequence of events in a play

rehearsal process

preparation period for performance

script

written text of a play

structure

framework organising a play

theatre

art form of live performance

theme

central idea or topic of a play

transition

shift between scenes or moods

acting area

space where performance occurs

apron stage

stage extension beyond the proscenium

arena stage

audience surrounds the stage

auditorium

audience seating area

audience configuration

blocking

planned movement or position of actors

box set

three-walled set simulating a real room

design elements

downstage

front of stage, closest to audience

upstage

back of stage, farthest from audience

end on staging

audience faces one side of the stage

fourth wall

imaginary barrier between actors or audience

props

objects used by actors onstage

proscenium

fram separating stage from auditorium

scene

segment of a play in one location

scenery

visual elements creating setting

set

setting

staging

methods of presenting a performance

theatre-in-the-round

audience encircles the stage

thrust stage

stage surronded on three sides by audience

transverse staging

audience on two oppisite sides

character

role

focus

actor’s concentration or audience’s attention

gesture

expressive movement of hands or body

inflection

change in vocal pitch or tone

interaction

exchange between performers

language

verbal or non-verbal communication

mime

acting without words using gestures

motivation

character’s driving force

movement

planned physical motion

spatial awareness

understanding positioning relative to others

non-verbal expression

communication without words

physicality

use of body to convey meaning

pitch

vocal highness or lowness

pause

intentional silence for effect

pace

posture

physical stance coveying character

status

character’s social power or dominance

vocal expression

use of voice to convey emotion

projection

amplifying voice for audibility

designer

director

performer

props

costume

set

lighting

sound