M7A: 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

  
• Aside


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


  The process of selecting actors for various roles
• Cold readings


  When an actor auditions for a role without having read the script beforehand
• Counter-cross


  Moving in the opposite direction and out of the way of another actor who is moving across the stage
• Cross


  When an actor moves from one side of the stage to another
• Cue


  A directive for action
• Director


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


  The area of the stage closest to the audience
• Dress rehearsals


  A run-through with all technical elements, including costumes and make-up
• External traits


  Characteristics that make up a character's physical appearance, such as posture, gestures, mannerisms, voice and clothing
• 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
• 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
• Grand drape


  The curtain that covers the opening of the proscenium arch
• Grand valance


  Used in conjunction with the grand drape. It masks the scenery and equipment just up stage of the proscenium arch
• House


  The place where the audience sits
• House lights


  Auditorium lights used before and after the play and during intermission
• Illusion of the first time


  The actor's ability to perform in a show over and over while making it appear that the dialogue and situations are happening for the first time
• Improvisation


  An impromptu scene where the actors make up the dialogue and action on the spot
• 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
• Method Acting


  An approach that calls on the actor to use personal experience and sense memory to develop a character
• Monologue


  A long speech spoken by one actor
• Motivation


  A specific reason for saying or doing something
• 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
• Playwright


  Person who writes and develops the script
• Producer


  Person who selects the script, finds the financial backing and hires all production personnel
• Project

  Increase voice so it will carry to the audience