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People who work in the theatre use a great many terms when talking to one another. These terms range from...
the physical surroundings
how an actor moves on stage
the tools and electrical objects used
jobs available in the theatre
and
much, much more,
theatre veterans are familiar with and comfortably use this particular jargon.
Newcomers may be a bit overwhelmed and wonder "What does all the jargon mean?"
Below are some of the theatrical terms you will hear and use during a Shorewood Drama Jr. class and rehearsals of our productions. This list is by no means complete,
Some of the more common terms are on this list, but theatre actors and technicians should familiarize themselves with these terms and others found at this website...
APRON - Section of the stage floor which projects towards or into the auditorium. The front edge of the stage between the stage and audience.
AUDITION - Process where the director of a production asks actors to show him/her what they can do. Can involve reading part of the script (called a 'cold reading'), performing a memorized scene, singing, dancing, or other skills.
BACKSTAGE - The part of the stage and theatre which is out of the sight of the audience.
BEAT - A deliberate pause for dramatic / comic effect.
BLOCKING - The process of arranging moves to be made by the actors during the play, recorded by stage management in the prompt script. Positions at the start of scenes are noted, as are all movements around the stage
BOOK - Another word for the final script.
CALL - A notification of when an actor should report to a rehearsal or performance. It is usually some time prior to the start of those rehearsals/performances to give actors time to get ready.
CALLING THE SHOW - The process of giving verbal cues to the lighting, sound, and stage crew during the rehearsals and performances. Usually done by the stage manager (see Crew List for definition).
CAST - The actors who are part of a production.
CENTER STAGE - The approximate center of the stage from Stage Left to Stage Right AND Upstage and Downstage. Can be used in combination with those terms during blocking. For example, "Move center stage right" which would be written in the actor's script as CSR.
CHOREOGRAPHER - Member of the production team responsible for setting dances and movement sequences during the production.
CALL SHEET - A list of names and contact details (phone numbers, addresses, email) for cast and crew. Usually compiled by the Stage Manager.
CREW - 1) Those who create the sets, props, costumes, lighting, sound and other technical things for a performance. 2)Those who 'run' the backstage happenings during the performance. (See Crew List for specific responsibilities)
CUE - 1) The command given to technical departments to carry out a particular operation. For example: a sound cue. Normally given by stage manager, but may be taken directly from the action on stage or from the script. 2) Any signal (spoken line or action) that tells an actor to do something (enter, exit, say a line, etc.)
CUE TO CUE - During a technical rehearsal, cutting out action and dialogue between sound and light cues to save time.
CURTAIN CALL - At the end of a performance, the acknowledgement of applause by actors - the bows.
DOWNSTAGE - The part of the stage closest the the audience or front of the stage.
DRESS REHEARSAL - A full rehearsal, with all technical elements brought together. The final rehearsals before the performance, used to work out any last minute problems.
FOUND SPACE - A performance space that wasn't designed to be one. Performances that take place outside the theatre (e.g. in historic buildings, factories, public areas) are said to be using found spaces. After all William Shakespeare said it best, "All the World's a Stage."
FOURTH WALL - The imaginary wall of a set through which the audience sees the stage. In realistic plays, an actor does not break the fourth wall, but in some plays or musical (for comic or dramatic effect) the actors might 'break the fourth wall' and speak or interact directly with the audience.
GREEN ROOM - Room close to the stage (i.e. the green) for the actors to meet and relax.
HOUSE - The part of the theatre where the audience sits during the performance. Also known as the auditorium.
IN ONE - To enter from between the main stage curtain and the first leg. (Subsequently, “in two” is entering between the first and second legs; “in three” the second and third, etc.)
ITALIAN RUN-THRU - A run-thru at twice the speed in order to work on lines and cues.
LAMP - Term used for any lighting instrument used during the performance.
LEGS - Drape set as masking piece at the side of the acting area. Usually set up in pairs across the stage and used in conjunction with borders to frame the audiences view.
NOTES - After major rehearsals (like run-thrus and dress rehearsals) the director , and sometimes the technical director, musical director, fight director, choreographer, and/or the heads of the technical crews will give comments to the cast and crew about problems, changes, improvements, cuts etc.
OFF STAGE - The area out of sight of the audience.
PLAYBILL - 1) The large posters used to promote a play or performance 2) The program or booklet containing theatre news and information about a particular production.
PROMPT - To give actors their line.
PROMPT BOOK - The script used by the prompter to give actors their lines during rehearsals.
PROPS (SHORT FOR PROPERTIES) - All physical items on stage with the exception of the scenery. This would include lamps, chairs, pens, paper, books and all manner of such things. Heavier items such as sofas, desks, etc., are really more a part of the scenery.
QUICK CHANGE - When an actor must quickly change his/her costume during a performance because he/she is required to reappear on stage in a very short time.
RUN-THRU (OR RUN-THROUGH) - A rehearsal when the entire play is rehearsed in order. Begins after all the blocking is completed so actors can get a sense of how the play will flow from one scene to the next. Eventually, actors will have their lines and blocking memorized and run-thrus will happen without aid of the script. The stage manager would be on 'book' and prompt actors if they forget a line or their blocking.
SCENERY - Term used to describe everything on stage (except props) used to represent the place at which action is occurring.
SET - The surroundings on stage, visisble to the audience, in which the action of a play develops.
SIGHT LINES - The extreme sides of the auditorium that determine the limit of the area on stage in which action can take place and be visible to the entire audience. SPIKE The process of placing marks with either paint or tape to designate where pieces of scenery are to be placed.
STAGE DIRECTION - Indications in a script for entrances and exits, and for movement in relation to the set within a particular scene.
STAGE LEFT/RIGHT - Left/ Right as seen from the actor's point of view on stage. For example, Stage Left (SL) is the right side of the stage when looking from the auditorium or audience seats.
STRIKE - To disassemble the set and remove it from the stage. To return the costumes to their original form and/or return them to their proper place. To restock properties in theatre storage. To clean the stage and other places used during the performance once the set, scenery, props, costumes, and make-up have been removed. This usually happens 1-2 days after a production closes.
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR - The person who is charge of all technical aspects of a production (set, costumes, props, sound, lighting, etc.) Each head of these areas would report directly to the technical director.
TECHNICAL REHEARSAL - 1) A cue-to-cue rehearsal (see CUE TO CUE) 2) A rehearsal in which all technical aspects of the production are utilized, including the lights, sound effects, set changes, and special effects. Just short of a dress rehearsal, in which costume and makeup is added.
TOP - The beginning of the play or the scene. A director may ask actors to start at the 'top' of the scene during a rehearsal.
UPSTAGE - 1) The part of the stage furthest from the audience. 2) When an actor does something and causes the audience to look at them, drawing attention to her/himself away from the main action. For example, moving around, or over-reacting to onstage events.
WARDROBE - The stock of costumes and costume accessories maintained by a company.
WINGS - 1) The sides of the stage between on-stage and backstage. 2) Flats or drapes placed at each side of the stage that mask backstage from the audience
WORK LIGHTS - Lights for use during early rehearsals before the lighting designer hangs and focuses the lighting instruments (or LAMPS) used for the performance.
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