FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE I BASIC THEATRE TERMINOLOGY FUNDAMENTALS OF THEATRE I

APRON The stage floor between the front edge of the stage and the front curtain.

ARENA STAGE Staging in the center of a room with the audience sitting on all sides of the playing area; sometimes called theatre in the round. The Dan Pessano Theatre is an example of this.

ASIDE Words spoken by a character to the audience rather than to the other characters, who supposedly DO NOT hear the speech.

Tryout for a part in a play, t.v. show or movie. AUDITION Tryout for a part in a play, t.v. show or movie.

BACKDROP / DROP A painted canvas or muslin curtain hung from a batten to form part of the scenery.

The area behind the scenery not visible to the audience. BACKSTAGE The area behind the scenery not visible to the audience.

BATTEN A horizontal pipe suspended over the stage, from which scenery, lights or curtains are hung; also called a rail.

BLOCKING The director’s planned movement for the actors.

The process of selecting actors for various roles. CASTING The process of selecting actors for various roles.

When an actor moves from one side of the stage to another. CROSS When an actor moves from one side of the stage to another.

DIRECTOR The person responsible for interpreting the script, creating a viable production concept, and directing the actors.

The area of the stage closest to the audience. DOWNSTAGE The area of the stage closest to the audience.

DRESS REHEARSALS A run-through with all technical elements, including costumes and make- up.

FLATS Pieces of canvas or plywood attached to wooden frames, painted and linked together, to create walls and doors on stage.

FLY SPACE The area above the stage where scenery, drops and lights are hung when not in use.

The imaginary wall through which the audience views the play. FOURTH WALL The imaginary wall through which the audience views the play.

“GOING-UP” When an actor forgets lines during rehearsal or a performance; also called blanking.

The curtain that covers the opening of the proscenium arch. GRAND/MAIN DRAPE The curtain that covers the opening of the proscenium arch.

The place where the audience sits. HOUSE The place where the audience sits.

IMPROVISATION An impromptu scene where the actors make up the dialogue and action on the spot. Constant Interruptions is our Clovis North Improv Team.

Narrow, vertical stage drapes used for masking. LEGS Narrow, vertical stage drapes used for masking.

LOAD-IN The moving of scenery and associated equipment into the theatre and their positioning on the stage.

A long speech spoken by one actor. MONOLOGUE A long speech spoken by one actor.

Having a part memorized so that a script is no longer needed. OFF-BOOK Having a part memorized so that a script is no longer needed.

PANTOMIME Telling a story or presenting an idea through bodily movement and expression without words.

Person who writes and develops the script. PLAYWRIGHT Person who writes and develops the script.

Finds the financial backing and hires all production personnel. PRODUCER Finds the financial backing and hires all production personnel.

Increase voice so it will carry to the audience. PROJECT Increase voice so it will carry to the audience.

PROMPT BOOK A book (usually in a 3-ring binder) that contains the script with the director’s ideas and blocking notations.

PROPS Items handled by actor’s such as books, ornaments, a broom, a glass, glasses, a suitcase etc.

PROSCENIUM STAGE A stage with a permanent framed opening through which the audience sees the play. THIS IS THE KIND OF STAGE WE HAVE AT THE MERCEDES EDWARDS THEATRE (MET)

A slanted stage, where upstage is slightly higher than downstage. RAKED STAGE A slanted stage, where upstage is slightly higher than downstage.

A part in a play, t.v. show or movie. ROLE A part in a play, t.v. show or movie.

A rehearsal without interruption. RUN-THROUGH A rehearsal without interruption.

SCENERY The background pieces such as flats and drops used to create the play’s setting.

SIGHTLINES Imaginary lines indicating visibility of stage areas from different points in the house.

STAGE LEFT The left side of the stage from the actor’s perspective as he or she faces the audience.

The area where the action of the play takes place. STAGE The area where the action of the play takes place.

Those who shift the sets and props during rehearsals and performances. STAGE CREW Those who shift the sets and props during rehearsals and performances.

STAGE MANAGER Person who assists the director during rehearsals and manages all backstage activity once the play has opened.

STAGE RIGHT The right side of the stage from the actor’s perspective as he or she faces the audience.

STRIKE Taking down the set following the conclusion of a play’s production run.

THRUST STAGE A stage that juts out into the audience area, with the audience usually sitting around its three sides.

The stage area farthest away from the audience. UPSTAGE The stage area farthest away from the audience.

The offstage areas to the right and left of the onstage area. WINGS The offstage areas to the right and left of the onstage area.