1. 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.

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

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

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

5. 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’)

6. 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

7. ELECTRICS are …
Stage lights, including their mounts and wiring

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

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

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

11. DICTION is …
Selection & clear pronunciation of words
SPEAKING CLEARLY

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

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

14. the HOUSE is …
Where the audience sits

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

16. the STAGE is …
The acting area
Where the actors perform

17. There are 3 kinds of STAGES:
Proscenium
Thrust
Arena

18. 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)

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

20. 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)

21. 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’

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

23. 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)

24. the COMPANY is …
Everyone associated with the production