Theatre Vocabulary

Theatre Vocabulary

1DramaIs

Conflict!2TheatreThe art of representing, for the pleasure of others, things that have happened or we imagine happening.3ProsceniumTypical stage designed as if the audience is looking in through a window.

4Thrust StageStage designed where the audience is seated on three sides.

5Arena StageType of stage where audience is seated on all four sides. Also called theatre in the round.

6HouseArea of the theatre where the audience sitsWingsArea of the stage to the left and right of the performing area, not visible to the audience

Fly SpaceOpen ceiling area directly above the stage where lights and scenery pieces are hung7Stage LeftThe actors left when facing the audienceStage RightThe actors right when facing the audienceUpstageArea of stage farthest from the audienceDownstageArea of stage closest to the audience8

StageLeftStageRightUpstageDown-stageDSRDSLUSLUSRCenterAUDIENCE9TravelerCurtain stretching across upstage wallTormentorCurtains on stage left and right masking wingsCurtains above stage masking fly spaceWingsArea of stage hidden from audience by curtains and/or sceneryTeaser10Raked StageStage built on a slant to improve audience visibilityLeg or BattenPipes and poles located in fly space from which curtains and scenery are hungGreen RoomArea or room backstage where actors wait between scenes11GenreType of theatre, such as drama, tragedy, or comedyPantomimeTelling a story without wordsImprovisationTelling a story without a script12DirectorThe BOSS!Stage ManagerResponsible for all running all technical elements of a showReading a script for an audition without prior preparationCall BackSecond and final stage of the audition processCold Read13Stage DirectionsSuggestions made by the playwright regarding blocking, emotions, setting, etc.PlaywrightThe author of the playProjectTo enlarge ones movements or voice for the sake of the audience14CheatTo turn the body out toward the audienceOff-bookAll lines memorizedBlockingThe planned movement of the actors upon the stage15Review16Work together in your pods and write a story using your vocabulary words. The story must make sense and use all the vocabulary words correctly. The pod that uses the most vocabulary words and has the most cooperative input will win a bonus of 3 points on their vocabulary test. One person from the pod needs to be prepared to read the story to the class.17