Section 1: the Theatre

Basic Drama Vocabulary Drama in Literature

The building where acting takes place. Theatre The building where acting takes place. Ex. “I have to be at the theatre by 8:00am.”

theatre

Ex. “We gathered on the deck after the show to discuss notes.” The stage area. Ex. “We gathered on the deck after the show to discuss notes.”

deck

“The proscenium in this theater is gorgeous.” The boundary between the stage and the audience in a conventional theatre; it appears to form an arch over the stage from the audience's point of view. “The proscenium in this theater is gorgeous.”

proscenium

apron The stage area in front of the proscenium arch.

The out of view areas to the sides of the acting area. wings The out of view areas to the sides of the acting area. “She was waiting in the wings to go on stage.”

wings

Curtains separating the stage from the audience. tabs Curtains separating the stage from the audience. “The tabs are usually red velvet.”

tabs

Orchestra pit Where the musicians play, usually directly in front of the stage, often sunken below the seating sections. “The musicians gathered in the pit prior to the start of the show.”

Orchestra pit

“Looking out on the house from the stage can be nerve-wracking.” The seating section of the theatre, the people in the theatre and/or the audience. “Looking out on the house from the stage can be nerve-wracking.”

house

“Actors often watch the play from backstage during rehearsals.” The part of the stage and theatre which is out of the sight of the audience. “Actors often watch the play from backstage during rehearsals.”

backstage

The area backstage where actors rest before, during and after a show. greenroom The area backstage where actors rest before, during and after a show. “When I went to get his autograph, he was sitting in the greenroom.”

greenroom

Section 2: rehearsal

Organized practice of the play. rehearsal Organized practice of the play. “We have rehearsal everyday after school.”

The text of the dialogue and stage directions of a play. script The text of the dialogue and stage directions of a play. “This script is very long.”

An actor’s movement around the set. blocking An actor’s movement around the set. “Before you can really start rehearsal, you have to figure out the blocking of a scene.”

Any instruction for the actors in the script of a play. Stage direction Any instruction for the actors in the script of a play. “The stage directions indicated that you should enter from stage left.”

The side of the stage on the left when facing the audience. Stage left The side of the stage on the left when facing the audience.

The side of the stage on the right when facing the audience. Stage right The side of the stage on the right when facing the audience.

downstage The front of the stage; in the direction of the audience.

upstage Towards the back of the stage; the half of the stage that is farthest from the audience.

A stage direction which specifies which person goes off stage. exit A stage direction which specifies which person goes off stage. “At the end of the scene, you need to exit stage left.”

The smallest division of action in a play or a very short pause. beat The smallest division of action in a play or a very short pause. “After that line, take a beat before the next one.”

A reading of the entire play or act without blocking. Read through A reading of the entire play or act without blocking. “Before filming the episode, the actors did a read through.” Also known as a “table read.”

Hamlet’s monologue from Act 3, Scene I, is very famous. An extended set of lines spoken by one person either directly addressing the audience or another character. Hamlet’s monologue from Act 3, Scene I, is very famous.

motivation A character's individual desires or goals which propel them into action; the driving force of an inciting event that starts a story's progression. Before beginning rehearsal for a play, you need to seriously consider what your character’s motivation is during their storyline.

prompt To give an actor his/her next line when he/she has forgotten it. Usually done by a stage manager sitting in the pit. Actor says “Line” and stage manager gives them the beginning of the line to jolt their memory. Mostly done during rehearsal but sometimes in live shows.

Fourth wall An imaginary surface at the edge of the stage through which the audience watches a performance. Boundary is drawn by the proscenium arch.

Section 3: additional terminology

The full group of actors in a play. cast The full group of actors in a play. Members of lighting, costumes, etc are called the crew.

understudy An actor familiar with another actor's role so that they can substitute in an emergency. There is usually at least one understudy for each leading role.

Call time The time at which each individual actor is expected to be at the theater. These times vary based on what scene is being rehearsed at a specific time.

A practice of an entire play (or an act.) Run through A practice of an entire play (or an act.) Similar to read through/table read.

This is NOT the end of the show! intermission A break between acts – audience can use the restroom, buy concessions, etc. This is NOT the end of the show!

Load in The process of setting up the theatre for the show. This includes putting up scenery, staging props, and setting up auditorium seating.

Technical rehearsal A rehearsal primarily for the purpose of practicing the technical elements of a play, such as lights and sound. Often known as “Tech.” This is a very long rehearsal due to stopping frequently so as to get all the cues right.

Dress rehearsal A practice of the play with all actors wearing full costumes and makeup. There is at least one dress rehearsal prior to opening night, but can be more than one. Helps work out any costume change issues and gives actors a chance to get comfortable with their costumes. Gives makeup artists a chance to practice makeup.

Sold out When the number of tickets sold for a performance is equal to or greater than the number of available seats. If a show is sold out, that means it is very successful. Being sold out is seen as an honor in the theatre world.

Standing room only Admittance to a performance after all of the seats are filled which requires people to stand to watch. Standing room only is another sign of success. Not all shows will allow this.

A saying for actors before they go out on stage, meaning “good luck!” Break a leg A saying for actors before they go out on stage, meaning “good luck!” Note: not a literal phrase.

Curtain call When the actors come to the front of the stage to bow at the end of a performance. Sometimes done in different groupings of actors, and then the full cast takes a bow together.

Standing ovation When the audience stands and claps at the end of a performance, a higher form of praise than normal applause. This should be an indicator that the show was exceptional and deserves higher praise.

To remove a set piece or from the stage. strike To remove a set piece or from the stage. For example: “Strike that chair from set after Act I.”

Strike the set To disassemble the entirety of the set, return all equipment to storage and leave the venue as it was before the show was set up. Usually takes place the day after the last performance. Often followed by a cast party to celebrate the ending of the show.