Theater Terminology

PlacesThis is called by the stage manager when it is

time for the actors to be in their proper positions for the beginning of an act.

ProsceniumA theater set up with the audience directly in

front of the framed stage.

ScriptThe text of a play.

Stage ManagerThe person who runs the show in a production

and calls the cues for the actors and the technicians.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dU3RlYQIVM

ThrustA theater with the stage set up as a peninsula,

with the audience located on the front and sides of the stage.

Thrust Cont’d• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnhuF0co

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ChoreographyThe art of creating and arranging dances.

Choreography Cont’dSegment from “The Lion King” Broadway

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc97XZLPAaA

OrchestraThe group of musicians who play the music.

Orchestra Cont’d

In most Broadway productions, the orchestra is situated in the “pit,” so named after the one

from Elizabethan theater.

SetThe scenery, the walls, platforms, doors, etc;

which make up the environment of the imaginary world of the play.

Set Cont’d • Example: “Cats” (Jellicle Cats)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3wd7s_C5GU

• “Shrek: The Musical”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68Mig6ni0vU

ProjectTo speak loudly so the entire audience can hear you.

CostumeThe carefully selected clothing worn by the actor.

Costumes Cont’d How do these represent evil characters?

Costumes Cont’d Example: “Les Miserables”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTp7opc1XVY

“Harry Potter”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bRk70Y04I4

ConductorThe person who leads the orchestra in

producing music.

CrossThe actor’s movement from one stage location

to another.

MonologueA solo speech by an actor which is also utilized

as an audition piece.

Arena

A theater set with the stage in the middle of the audience.

ARENA CONT’D

The modern “arena” originated from the Roman Colosseum, where gladiators used to fight to the

finish to entertain the emperor.

Arena cont’d • Pepsi commercial (Britney Spears, Beyonce,

Pink)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjSGy97AlXg

Green RoomA room near the stage where the actors await

entrance cues and receive guests after the performance.

BLACK BOXA black room/hall used as a versatile theater

space. It is primarily used for smaller productions that do not require much scenery.

BlockingThe plan for the movement and stage business

the actors perform. The director is usually in charge of blocking the actors so they are not

aimlessly moving on the stage.

Blocking Example

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL5H86NvCsk

DialogueThe stage conversation between characters. (It

usually involves “two” or “more” characters since a solo speech is a “monologue.”

Dialogue Cont’dDialogue as seen in “Romeo and Juliet (2013)”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTGWNHa1wIQ

CONFLICTThe basic struggle underlying the plot of the

play.

DictionThe clarity in which the words are pronounced

in a play.

CueThe last words or action of an actor immediately preceding the lines or business of another actor.

STRIKEThe dismantling of the set and the putting away of the costumes and props at the end of the run

of a show.

Ad-Lib To improvise stage business or dialogue. In most

cases, actors are required to perform on the spot without the aid of a written script.

AD-LIB CONT’D Segment from “Whose Line is it Anyway” (Scenes from a Hat)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR2I4ZoqpMI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSxc3bi6Gho