Theatre Vocabulary

Apron – The area of the stage that extends toward the audience, in front of the main curtain

Backstage – The space behind the acting area, unseen by the audience

Balcony – An upper floor of seats that project out over the main seating area of a theater

Character – The role played by an actor as he or she assumes another’s identity

Conflict – The problem or incident that creates the action and is resolved by the end of the play

Costume – The carefully selected or specially designed clothing worn by the actors

Cross – The actor’s movement from one stage location to another

Cue – The last words or action of an actor immediately preceding the lines or business of another actor

Dialogue – The stage conversation between characters

Director – The person who oversees the entire process of staging a theatrical production

Downstage – The part of the stage closest to the audience. At one time stages were raked, or sloped, with the lower (“down”) part closest to the audience, and the higher (“up”) part further away

Ensemble – A cast of actors working together effectively to present a theatrical performance

Plot – The storyline: beginning (the setting, characters, and problem), middle (how the characters work to solve the problem), and the ending (resolution of the problem)

Project – To speak loudly so the entire audience can hear you

Props – All the stage furnishings, including furniture, that are physically used by the actors

Script – The text of the play, including dialogue and stage directions, all written by the playwright

Set – All of the scenery that makes up the physical environment of the world of the play

Stage Left – The part of the stage to the actor’s left when the actor faces the audience

Stage Manager – The person who supervises the physical production of a play and who is in charge of the stage during the performance

Stage Right – The part of the stage to the actor’s right when the actor faces the audience

Strike – Dismantling the set, costumes, and props at the end of the run of a show

Theme – The central thought, idea, or significance of the action of a play

Upstage – The area of the stage farthest way from the audience and nearest to the back wall