Theatrical Vocabulary Words to know before the curtain
rises
Slide 2
Activity Goal Goal 1: Create a meaningful four quadrant
vocabulary sheet for a theatrical vocabulary word. Goal 2: Share
your vocabulary findings with the class. Goal 3: Write down the
gist of everyone elses vocabulary words. Bonus: Create a word wall
poster for your word.
Slide 3
Theatrical Vocab. Step 1 Instructions Choose one of the words
or phrases. Write it down spelled correctly in your journal. Write
what you think you already know about it. Words Scenes Acts
Character List Stage directions Monologue Elements of Plot Play
Dialogue
Slide 4
Theatrical Vocab. Step 2 Directions Set up four quadrants on a
blank sheet of paper with room to write your word in large letters
in the middle. Label the quadrants with the section titles. (If you
see one with a / choose either.) Sections Definition Examples
Illustrations Connections/Questions
Slide 5
Theatrical Vocab. Example Word: Prologue Definition:
introduction; speech or poem addressed to the audience at the
beginning of a play Examples: In Romeo & Juliet a poem
describes how their families hate each other Connection: Prologues
help establish the SETTING and CONFLICT Question: Level 4: Why do
you think the playwright used a prologue to set the scene?
Slide 6
Theatrical Vocab. Step 4 Create your vocabulary sheet. Make
sure you are thorough in each quadrant. Make the letters as big and
legible as possible. Make your definition and example clear for a
person who is not already familiar with the word. Find your
examples in the literature book.
Slide 7
Theatrical Vocab. Examples Here are examples of examples for
each word: Acts Traditional tragedies have 5 Acts (matching the
plot mountain) such as in Hamlet Scenes Amount varyfrom play to
play in Wicked Act 1 Scene 1 seems to show the death of the main
character, but in scene two it goes back to her being in school
Character List In the play A Christmas Carol the cast list includes
Scrooge, Marley, and Mrs. Cratchit Stage directions In the play
Rhinoceros a famous stage direction is He becomes a rhinoceros, and
the actor puts on a rhino mask. Monologue In the play A Streetcar
Named Desire Blanche has famous monologues about her life Elements
of Plot In the resolution of Romeo and Juliet the main characters
die. Play Dialogue I bite my thumb, sir, is some of the early
dialogue in Romeo and Juliet.
Slide 8
Theatrical Vocab. Step 5 Prepare to share with the class. If
you are working with a partner or group, decide who is going to
present what to the class. Finally, write down everyone elses words
and their basic meanings.
