TheatreTheatre

Final Vocab ExamFinal Vocab Exam

ReviewReview

Review: Theater VocabReview: Theater Vocab

Please take quality notes as all of this Please take quality notes as all of this information will be on the final information will be on the final examination.examination.

BlockingBlocking

Determining the basic movements of Determining the basic movements of actors during a play.actors during a play.

Center stageCenter stage

Literally, the space at the very center of Literally, the space at the very center of the stage.the stage.

DownstageDownstage

The part of the stage that is closest to the The part of the stage that is closest to the audience.audience.

UpstageUpstage

The part of the stage that is farthest away The part of the stage that is farthest away from the audiencefrom the audience

RakeRake

In older theaters, the whole stage was In older theaters, the whole stage was ramped, with the back higher than the ramped, with the back higher than the frontfront– Gave the illusion of depth and distanceGave the illusion of depth and distance– Gave better sight lines for group scenesGave better sight lines for group scenes– This is where “Upstage” and “Downstage” This is where “Upstage” and “Downstage”

come fromcome from

EntranceEntrance

The act of coming onto the acting area The act of coming onto the acting area (from backstage, the wings or the house) (from backstage, the wings or the house) during a performanceduring a performance

ExitExit

The leaving of the acting area by an actor.The leaving of the acting area by an actor.

Stage rightStage right

The right side of the stage from the actors’ The right side of the stage from the actors’ perspective when facing the audience.perspective when facing the audience.

Stage leftStage left

The left side of the stage from the actors’ The left side of the stage from the actors’ perspective when facing the audience.perspective when facing the audience.

CrossCross

A stage direction meaning to move from A stage direction meaning to move from one place to another on the stage.one place to another on the stage.

Hot SpotHot Spot

An area downstage right that is an An area downstage right that is an especially good focal point.especially good focal point.

FreezeFreeze

To remain motionless on stageTo remain motionless on stage

CheatCheat

To turn the body out, partially toward the To turn the body out, partially toward the audience, while appearing to talk directly audience, while appearing to talk directly to another character on stage.to another character on stage.

UpstagingUpstaging

Standing upstage of another actor, forcing Standing upstage of another actor, forcing him or her to face away from the audience him or her to face away from the audience to exchange dialog.to exchange dialog.

Drawing FocusDrawing Focus

Acting in a manner or being in a location Acting in a manner or being in a location that draws the attention to you rather than that draws the attention to you rather than where it is intended to be placed by the where it is intended to be placed by the director.director.

Fourth WallFourth Wall

The invisible wall of a set through which The invisible wall of a set through which the audience sees the action of the play.the audience sees the action of the play.

Proscenium ArchProscenium Arch

A structure that “frames the picture” of the A structure that “frames the picture” of the “fourth wall”“fourth wall”

ApronApron

The area of the stage in front of the curtain The area of the stage in front of the curtain line.line.

MarkMark

A direction for the actor to go to a certain A direction for the actor to go to a certain place on the stage.place on the stage.

On stageOn stage

When an actor is in sight of the audienceWhen an actor is in sight of the audience

Off stageOff stage

When an actor is out of sight of the When an actor is out of sight of the audience.audience.

Sight linesSight lines

Imaginary lines from the audience to the Imaginary lines from the audience to the stage.stage.

Proscenium ArchProscenium Arch

The picture frame from which an audience The picture frame from which an audience watches a play.watches a play.

WingsWings

The area off stage, usually to the right and The area off stage, usually to the right and left, where actors wait to enter the stage.left, where actors wait to enter the stage.

HouseHouse

The seating area of a theatre.The seating area of a theatre.

Stage DirectionStage Direction

Notes added to the script of the play, that Notes added to the script of the play, that provide blocking or directions for effectsprovide blocking or directions for effects

Acting AreaActing Area

The space set aside for the performance The space set aside for the performance of a playof a play

BackstageBackstage

The area behind the set that is not seen by The area behind the set that is not seen by the audience. This may include the wingsthe audience. This may include the wings

ActorActor

One who performs a role or represents a One who performs a role or represents a character in a play.character in a play.

CharacterCharacter

A person in a play, or the personality of A person in a play, or the personality of that personthat person

Character RoleCharacter Role

A major role in the play, but not one of the A major role in the play, but not one of the romantic leadsromantic leads

Straight manStraight man

A character who feeds lines to the comicA character who feeds lines to the comic

Comic reliefComic relief

A break in tension of a tragedy provided A break in tension of a tragedy provided by a comic characterby a comic character

ThespianThespian

Formally, a member of The International Formally, a member of The International Theatre Association for Theatre Arts Theatre Association for Theatre Arts Students. Informally, a person involved Students. Informally, a person involved with stage theaterwith stage theater

IngénueIngénue

The young, attractive, innocent female The young, attractive, innocent female lead in a play, generally the romantic lead in a play, generally the romantic interestinterest

HeroHero

The protagonist of the playThe protagonist of the play

Protagonist means the main character in a Protagonist means the main character in a play or novel that either moves the action play or novel that either moves the action forward, or the action is done toforward, or the action is done to

HamHam

An actor who overacts, often with An actor who overacts, often with elaborate gestures or facial expressions.elaborate gestures or facial expressions.

DisguiseDisguise

To wear masks, false hair or clothing to To wear masks, false hair or clothing to conceal an actor’s identityconceal an actor’s identity

George SpelvinGeorge Spelvin

The false name used in a play program to The false name used in a play program to conceal from the audience that one actor conceal from the audience that one actor is playing two roles or that an actor has is playing two roles or that an actor has chosen to not be recognizedchosen to not be recognized

Ad libAd lib

To improvise something, often dialog not To improvise something, often dialog not given in the script.given in the script.

BeatBeat

The length of a pause between words or The length of a pause between words or actionsactions

ConcentrationConcentration

The actor’s focus on the moment of the The actor’s focus on the moment of the play in which he or she is actingplay in which he or she is acting

DictionDiction

A manner of speaking or singing, usually A manner of speaking or singing, usually used to mean speaking or singing clearly used to mean speaking or singing clearly and preciselyand precisely

PacePace

The speed at which the sounds of The speed at which the sounds of speaking are delivered, words per minutespeaking are delivered, words per minute

Voice ProjectionVoice Projection

The ability to speak sufficiently loud to The ability to speak sufficiently loud to reach all areas of the house clearlyreach all areas of the house clearly

TimingTiming

The use of pace, rhythm and pauses to The use of pace, rhythm and pauses to deliver words in the most effective manner deliver words in the most effective manner to communicate the desired emotional to communicate the desired emotional impact and meaning, usually most impact and meaning, usually most important in comedyimportant in comedy

MonologueMonologue

A long speech given by one character (not A long speech given by one character (not necessarily by one actor)necessarily by one actor)

SoliloquySoliloquy

A monologue in which a character reveals A monologue in which a character reveals his thoughts to the audience as if his thoughts to the audience as if “speaking to himself”“speaking to himself”

– What is the difference between that and a What is the difference between that and a monologue?monologue?

DialogDialog

Passages of talk between more than one Passages of talk between more than one character (not necessarily more than one character (not necessarily more than one actor)actor)

AsideAside

Words spoken by a character in such a Words spoken by a character in such a way that they are heard by the audience way that they are heard by the audience but supposedly not by the other charactersbut supposedly not by the other characters

MimeMime

The representation of action, character, The representation of action, character, mood and/or location with gestures and mood and/or location with gestures and action rather than wordsaction rather than words

ActionAction

An event or series of related events that An event or series of related events that form part of a dramatic plotform part of a dramatic plot

AntagonistAntagonist

The character who opposes the The character who opposes the protagonist or hero, frequently a villainprotagonist or hero, frequently a villain

AnticlimaxAnticlimax

An event that is far less important or An event that is far less important or powerful than expectedpowerful than expected

AntiheroAntihero

A protagonist who lacks the usual noble A protagonist who lacks the usual noble qualities of a hero, when your main qualities of a hero, when your main character isn’t a good guycharacter isn’t a good guy

Bit partBit part

A very small role, including a few or no A very small role, including a few or no lineslines

BookBook

The text (libretto) of a musical or operaThe text (libretto) of a musical or opera

Business or stage businessBusiness or stage business

A gesture or act that adds detail or drama A gesture or act that adds detail or drama to a sceneto a scene

CastCast

The group of performers in a playThe group of performers in a play

CatharsisCatharsis

The release of built-up emotional or The release of built-up emotional or dramatic tensiondramatic tension

ChorusChorus

1) A group of actors who perform together 1) A group of actors who perform together as a groupas a group

2) In a musical or opera, performers who 2) In a musical or opera, performers who may not have named roles but add may not have named roles but add numbers and strength to singing and numbers and strength to singing and dancedance

ClimaxClimax

A decisive moment that is of maximum A decisive moment that is of maximum intensity or a turning point or resolution in intensity or a turning point or resolution in the plotthe plot

ComedyComedy

A play of light and humorous character A play of light and humorous character with a happy ending or a play in which the with a happy ending or a play in which the central theme is overcoming adverse central theme is overcoming adverse circumstancescircumstances

ConflictConflict

Antagonism or struggle between Antagonism or struggle between characters that lends intensity to plotcharacters that lends intensity to plot

Dramatic IronyDramatic Irony

Events or implications are understood by Events or implications are understood by the audience but not the characters in a the audience but not the characters in a playplay

DramaDrama

A written work intended to be performed A written work intended to be performed on stage, that involves conflict and on stage, that involves conflict and characterscharacters

EpilogueEpilogue

A scene at the end of the play, separate A scene at the end of the play, separate from the action of the play, usually from the action of the play, usually summarizing what has already occurredsummarizing what has already occurred

ExpositionExposition

Lines in a play intended to explain Lines in a play intended to explain information rather than advance actioninformation rather than advance action

Falling ActionFalling Action

The part of the plot that occurs after the The part of the plot that occurs after the climax or the conflict had been resolvedclimax or the conflict had been resolved

FoilFoil

A character who makes another character A character who makes another character look better by comparison, or whose look better by comparison, or whose function is primarily to assist another function is primarily to assist another charactercharacter

ForeshadowForeshadow

Giving an advance hint of events to comeGiving an advance hint of events to come

HeroineHeroine

The principal female character, usually The principal female character, usually possessing noble qualities or innocencepossessing noble qualities or innocence

ImprovisationImprovisation

Spontaneously creating unscripted lines or Spontaneously creating unscripted lines or action, this may be part of the intended action, this may be part of the intended plot or may be to conceal errorsplot or may be to conceal errors

IntentionIntention

The true purpose of the character, which The true purpose of the character, which may not be the same as the declared or may not be the same as the declared or apparent purposeapparent purpose

JuvenileJuvenile

A character who is a child or young A character who is a child or young person, or an actor who typically plays person, or an actor who typically plays those rolesthose roles

LibrettoLibretto

The text or words of an opera or musical, The text or words of an opera or musical, the words may be spoken or sungthe words may be spoken or sung

LyricsLyrics

The words of a songThe words of a song

MotivationMotivation

The thoughts or events that cause a The thoughts or events that cause a character to act in a specific mannercharacter to act in a specific manner

NarratorNarrator

A person that provides narration, or the A person that provides narration, or the exposition of the play, this may be done by exposition of the play, this may be done by a character or an actor as themselves a character or an actor as themselves rather than a character, it may or may not rather than a character, it may or may not be part of the actionbe part of the action

Off bookOff book

Rehearsals conducted with lines Rehearsals conducted with lines memorized rather than read from a scriptmemorized rather than read from a script

On bookOn book

Rehearsals conducted with lines read from Rehearsals conducted with lines read from a script, not memorizeda script, not memorized

OpeningOpening

1) The beginning of a stage work; OR1) The beginning of a stage work; OR

2) The first performance of a stage work2) The first performance of a stage work

OvertureOverture

The music before the beginning of a The music before the beginning of a musical or opera, usually a preview of musical or opera, usually a preview of each song in the first acteach song in the first act

PlotPlot

Also called storyline, it is the main plan or Also called storyline, it is the main plan or scheme of how the events will create the scheme of how the events will create the action of the playaction of the play

PrincipalsPrincipals

The leading roles in a play, usually The leading roles in a play, usually includes the hero, heroine and antagonist, includes the hero, heroine and antagonist, may include large comic rolesmay include large comic roles

ProloguePrologue

An introductory scene, before the action of An introductory scene, before the action of the play, setting forth exposition or the play, setting forth exposition or introducing the theme or characters of the introducing the theme or characters of the playplay

ProtagonistProtagonist

The main character in a play, the action The main character in a play, the action happens to him or her, the antagonist happens to him or her, the antagonist opposes him or heropposes him or her

ResolutionResolution

Usually the climax of the plot, the moment Usually the climax of the plot, the moment when the conflict between the protagonist when the conflict between the protagonist and antagonist is resolvedand antagonist is resolved

SceneScene

A division of a play, usually the events A division of a play, usually the events between the characters occurring between the characters occurring continuously in time in one locationcontinuously in time in one location