Theatre Glossary[1]
There are many terms particular to the world of theatre. This short list of commonly-used terms will help students understand the process of putting on a show, and the various people involved.
PEOPLE
Cast – the people who perform in a show
Choreographer – the person who creates dances and arranges movements for a musical
Company – the cast and crew of a show and any other staff who work on the show
Costumer – the person in charge of the costumes for a show
Crew – all the people who work together on a show except the cast
Director – the person who provides the vision of how a show should be presented, who
word with the actors on their roles, develops the blocking, and is in charge of the rehearsals
House Manager – the person in charge of the theater auditorium and anything to do with the audience
Lighting Designer – the person who designs the lighting for a show and works with the director to get desired effects
Musical Director – the person who works with the director, actors and orchestra to get the desired musical effects for a show
Set Designer – the person who designs the sets for a show…in smaller theaters this person also builds the sets
Sound Designer – the person who designs the sound direction for the show
Stage Manager – the person who runs the show from opening curtain to closing curtain and is in charge of everything on the stage and in the back of the stage
PLACES
Backstage – the part of a theater which is not seen by the audience.
Control Booth – the place in a theater from which all the sound and lights are controlled
Downstage – the part of the stage which is closest to the audience
Dressing Rooms – rooms where actors change costumes and apply make-up
Green Room – a place for the performers to relax while waiting to go on stage
House – the area where the audience sits to watch a show
Offstage – the area of the stage which the audience cannot see
Orchestra Pit – an area at the front of house, usually sunken, where the musicians and conductor work during a show
Set – the setting of the stage for each act and all the physical things that are used to change the stage for the performance
Trap – trap doors in the floor of the stage where an actor or prop can disappear
Upstage – the area of the stage that is the farthest away from the audience
THINGS
Act – the main sections of a musical or play
Aside – a quick remark made by a character in a play which is said to the audience
Belt – in Musical Theater, a style of singing which uses a loud, full tone
Black Out – the quick shutting off of all the stage lights
Blocking – the instructions that actors use to know exactly where they are supposed to be on stage at all times
Break A Leg -something people tell actors to wish them “Good Luck” before a performance or audition
Curtain call – the bows at the end of a performance
Dialogue – the words which are spoken in a play
Dress Rehearsal – a rehearsal to practice the show just how it will be on opening night, including costumes and make-up.
Exit – a stage direction telling an actor to leave the stage
Monologue – a speech given by one actor
Overture – the beginning music in musical theater which usually gives the audience an idea of the music to come and gets them into the feeling of the show
Props – all the items used in a play to tell the story not including the scenery or costumes, the short forms of “Properties”.
Rehearsal – the period of practice before the beginning of a show in which the actors and director work on the development of the show
Reprise – in musical theater, when either a whole song or part of a song is repeated
Run-through – a rehearsal in which the actors perform the show from the very beginning to the very end.
Subtext – the feelings behind the words a character speaks
Technical Rehearsal – the first time a play is rehearsed in which the scenery, sound and lighting are used.
Understudy – an actor who studies the lines and blocking of a role, and is able to take over for the original cast member in a role
[1] http://www.musical-theater-kids.com/kids-theater-dictionary.html
Created by: Emily Yavitch
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