Basic Theatre Terminology Beginning Drama

Stage Fright A nervous feeling felt by someone who is going to appear in front of an audience

Drama A piece of writing that tells a story and is performed on stage

Energy The fuel that drives acting, enlivens performances, creates empathy, and makes forceful characters

Focus The direction of an actor’s intention, action, emotion, or line delivery to a specific target

Action That which happens on stage to hold the audience’s attention

Open Out An actor positions their body and feet to open out their body to face the audience

Cross To move from one position to another on stage

Convention Special or traditional ways of doing things. Theatre Convention – The fourth wall

Blocking - The precise movement and positioning of actors on the stage

Constructive Criticism The process of offering valid and well-reasoned opinions about the work of others, usually involving both positive and negative comments, in a friendly manner, rather than an oppositional one. The purpose of which is to help, not harm the performer.