Drama Vocabulary!

Dramatic Structure: Freytag’s Pyramid

exposition = necessary background information

rising action = actions that build suspense and lead to the climax

climax = turning point; moment of highest tension or drama; everything builds to this point!

falling action = deals with the effects of the climax reversal = the opposite of what was expected occurs

the “untying” of the plot dénouement = the resolution; the “untying” of the plot

Dramatis Personae = the list of characters in a play

protagonist = the main character

antagonist = the person or thing that gets in the way of the protagonist’s goal

foil = acting role that is used for personality contrast, usually with the protagonist

principals = the main characters in a play OR the named characters in a musical

bit part = an acting role with very few lines

juvenile = a young male leading role

ingénue = a young female leading role

straight part = a character that is just an average person; usually serious (not wacky or exaggerated)

character part = A funny, scary, or otherwise exaggerated role (often stands out more than the straight part)

typecasting = a process in which an actor becomes closely identified with a role or style of role

Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) A union for stage actors (principals and chorus) and stage managers (over 48,000 right now) Called “Equity” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScggMbCvn_s

Antoinette Perry actress and director 1947 = first theatre awards show; named after her (the Tony Award)

The Areas of the Stage

aside= a character’s brief remark intended only for the audience to hear; supposedly not heard by other characters on stage

book= the script of the play

blocking= arranging of major movements of actors on stage, usually done by the director (i.e. walk here, sit there, stand when you say that)

business= small movements that actors make, often with props, to convey real-life behavior (i.e. reading the paper, washing dishes, putting on make-up)

callback call-back = a second-round audition (sometimes more than two rounds) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS_6IqYzJzw

cheating out = angling the body toward the audience so they can see and hear you better!

cold reading = an audition in which unfamiliar material is read (i. e cold reading = an audition in which unfamiliar material is read (i.e. a scene from the play)

cue = action or dialogue that signals the next action or line curtain call = “taking a bow” at the end of a performance

dress rehearsal = rehearsal using costumes, props, tech, etc dress rehearsal = rehearsal using costumes, props, tech, etc.; final rehearsals without an audience

fourth wall = the imaginary wall that separates the audience and the playing area

headshot = an 8x10 photograph of an actor used for auditions; résumé on back

improvisation – acting without a fixed text and without preparation

monologue = a long speech by one character who may or may not be alone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wp5yCBhwS4

playwright (playwriting) “wright” = to build

projection= the ability to control the voice’s volume and quality so that it can be heard clearly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zn3VakioME

props= objects used by actors on stage; usually small and hand-held (short for “properties”)

royalties = payment given to a playwright for permission to perform his/her play

soliloquy = a speech given by one character who is alone (usually reveals his thoughts to the audience)

strike = to remove something from the stage to tear down the set after a production closes

tech rehearsal = rehearsal for focusing on technical elements of a production (sound, lights, set, props) dry tech (no actors); cue-to-cue

understudy = an actor who is able to step in and replace an absent actor

upstaging = To stand upstage of someone, forcing him to turn his back to audience To steal focus from the actor who should have it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XtCLsFoLSI

Theatre Superstitions It is good luck to say “break a leg” have a ghost light have a cat backstage

It is bad luck to wish someone “good luck” whistle backstage wear green onstage use real mirrors, jewelry, or flowers onstage speak the last line of a play before opening place shoes or hats on table in dressing room clean your make-up box say the name of “the Scottish play”

apron = the front area of a stage that extends past the curtain line Areas of a Theatre apron = the front area of a stage that extends past the curtain line

orchestra pit = the lower area in front of and/or underneath the stage where a pit orchestra accompanies performers

wings = areas to the sides of the stage

fly space/fly tower = the area above the stage that is out of sight of the audience Lights are hung here. Scenery for scene changes can be “flown in” from fly space.

catwalk = an elevated platform used to suspend lighting and sound equipment directed at the stage

scene shop = a workshop used mainly for building and painting sets

trap room = large space under the stage; used for trap doors, equipment, and actor crossovers

green room = the actors’ waiting area backstage

house = where the audience sits; “front of house” includes lobby and anywhere the audience goes

sound and light booth = location of the sound board and the lighting controls

box office = place where tickets are sold; located in the lobby

arena stage = a stage surrounded by audience on all sides

proscenium stage = a stage that has audience on one side

thrust stage = a stage that has audience on three sides