1. Drama Vocabulary!

2. Dramatic Structure: Freytag’s Pyramid

3. exposition = necessary background information

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

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

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

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

8. Dramatis Personae = the list of characters in a play

9. protagonist =
the main character

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

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

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

13. bit part = an acting role with very few lines

14. juvenile = a young male leading role

15. ingénue = a young female leading role

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

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

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

19. Actors’ Equity Association (AEA)
A union for stage actors (principals and chorus) and stage managers (over 48,000 right now)
Called “Equity”

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

21. The Areas of the Stage

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

23. book= the script of the play

24. 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)

25. 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)

26. callback
call-back = a second-round audition (sometimes more than two rounds)

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

28. 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)

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

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

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

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

33. improvisation – acting without a fixed text and without preparation

34. monologue = a long speech by one character who may or may not be alone

35. playwright (playwriting)
“wright” = to build

36. projection= the ability to control the voice’s volume and quality so that it can be heard clearly

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

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

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

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

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

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

43. upstaging =
To stand upstage of someone, forcing him to turn his back to audience
To steal focus from the actor who should have it

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

45. 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”

46. 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

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

48. wings = areas to the sides of the stage

49. 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.

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

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

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

53. green room = the actors’ waiting area backstage

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

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

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

57. arena stage = a stage surrounded by audience on all sides

58. proscenium stage = a stage that has audience on one side

59. thrust stage = a stage that has audience on three sides