Theatre Terms and Definitions

Flashcards testing knowledge of basic theatre terms, stage directions, structural elements of plays, and staff roles.

What is the term for the people who watch a performance?

Audience

What is the top section of the audience seating area called?

Balcony

What are moveable objects that appear on stage during a performance called?

Props

What is the stage command for actors to take their positions?

Places

In theatre, what does the term "Strike" refer to?

The removal of stage equipment including scenery + props

What are ornamental sounds the audience hears during a performance called?

Sound Effects

What is the role of an understudy?

An actor who learns and rehearses a role in case the original actor is unable to perform

What is blocking in theatre?

An actor’s predetermined movements in a scene, usually determined with the director’s assistance

How is a scene defined in relation to an act?

A small section within an act

What area of the stage is known as "Upstage"?

The area on the stage furthest from the audience, close to the back wall

What stage direction indicates that an actor should leave the stage?

Exit

What is a blackout?

A lighting cue where all the stage lights go off simultaneously

What is the orchestra in audience seating?

The bottom section of the audience seating area

What is a script?

The written dialogue, description, and directions provided by the playwright

What are "Lines" in a theatrical performance?

The dialogue of a play; the words actresses/actors say in performance

What is a dress rehearsal?

A rehearsal that acts as a simulated performance.

What is an act in modern theatre?

A small section or portion of a play, usually half of a play in modern theatre

How is dramatic tension created through conflict in a play?

The struggle of opposing forces, ideas, or interests that create dramatic tension

What is the curtain in a theatre?

The main drape, usually made of cloth, used to separate the stage from the auditorium

What are the wings of a stage?

The offstage areas to the right and the left of the of the stage

Which theatre jobs are listed as having definitions in the Google Classroom slides?

Stage Manager, Director, Vocal Director, Set Designer, Lighting Operator, Sound Operator, Lighting Designer, Choreographer