They speak the language of STAGECRAFT How do actors, directors, technicians & designers talk about their work? They speak the language of STAGECRAFT ©2006 EvaMedia, Inc.

DRAMATIC MEDIA are … Means of telling stories by way of stage, film, videotape, DVD, radio, television, or computer.

to AUDITION is … To try out for a role Also called ‘reading’ for a part

a CALL BACK is … Getting a second audition for the same role Similar to ‘making the cut’ in a sports tryout

BLOCKING is … The path an actor creates on stage Usually determined by the director (with assistance from actor) Often written down in a script using common theatrical symbols (X R means ‘cross down right’)

a CUE is … Something that precedes and prompts the next line or action A signal to the actors to begin what happens next Can be visual or aural

ELECTRICS are … Stage lights, including their mounts and wiring

a BLACKOUT is … All stage lights go off simultaneously and suddenly More abrupt than ‘fade to black’

PROPS are … Any objects, except costumes & scenery, used onstage Can be hand props or set pieces

DRESS REHEARSAL is … Same as performance, but without an audience (usually) A run-through of the whole show with tech, props & costumes in place

DICTION is … Selection & clear pronunciation of words SPEAKING CLEARLY

PROJECTION is … How well the voice carries to the audience SPEAKING LOUDLY

ACOUSTICS means … The quality of sound in a room, theatre, or performance space

the HOUSE is … Where the audience sits

Box office & lobby of a theatre FRONT OF HOUSE is … Box office & lobby of a theatre

the STAGE is … The acting area Where the actors perform

There are 3 kinds of STAGES: Proscenium Thrust Arena

PROSCENIUM is … The most common type of stage Walls that ‘frame’ the front of the acting area are called the ‘proscenium arch’ P R O S C E N I U M A R C H PROSCEN I UM ARCH STAGE (ACTING AREA) WINGS (offstage) APRON HOUSE (front view)

a THRUST stage is … Acting area extended into the house with audience seated on three sides OFFSTAGE STAGE HOUSE HOUSE HOUSE (overhead view)

an ARENA stage … STAGE Has audience seated on all sides Is sometimes called ‘theatre in the round’ HOUSE (seating area) STAGE HOUSE (seating area) (overhead view)

BACKSTAGE is … Hidden by scenery, walls or proscenium Where cast & crew can work unseen by the audience Dressing rooms here Also called ‘wings,’ ‘offstage’ or ‘off’

(UPSTAGE is stage area farthest from audience) DOWNSTAGE is … Area of the stage closest to the audience (UPSTAGE is stage area farthest from audience)

apron (front-of-stage) STAGE DIRECTIONS … UP RIGHT CENTER LEFT DOWN DOWN CENTER apron (front-of-stage) Standard, universal Prevents confusion Saves rehearsal time Indicates locations for actors, props, scenery. From actor’s perspective when facing audience (overhead view)

the COMPANY is … Everyone associated with the production