Theater Vocabulary

The pronunciation of words

The backstage technical crew responsible for running the show

Items carried on stage by an actor; small items on the set used by the actors

A personality or role an actor/actress re-creates

A group of theatrical artists working together to create a theatrical production

Memories of sights, sounds, smells, tastes & textures used to help define a character situation

A male or female person who performs a role in a play, work of theater, or movie

To imitate or represent life, by dramatic literature, in performance; location of performance

Theater that focuses on public performance in front of audience

The planning and working out of the movements of actors on stage

The conversation between actors on stage

The highness or lowness of voice

Final rehearsals prior to opening night, run with full technical elements, costumes, makeup,etc

A type of entertainment containing music, songs and dance

Creative process of developing & executing aesthetic or functional design in a production

A reading of a script done by actors who have not previously reviewed the play

Coverings worn over face of an actor to emphasize or neutralize facial characteristics

The center of the area defined as the stage

A theatrical work that is intentionally humorous

Opposition of persons or forces giving rise to dramatic action

The art and technique of bringing the elements of theater together to make a play

A long speech by a single character

The height of an actor's head as determined by his/her body position (ie. sitting, standing)

The left side of the stage from the perspective of an actor facing the audience

Cosmetics & hairstyles an actor wears on stage to emphasize facial features, history, etc.

A theatrical performance focusing on small presentations usually not intended for public view

The right side of the stage from the perspective of an actor facing the audience

The area where actors perform

Placement & delivery of volume, clarity, & distinctness of voice for communicating to audience

The degree of loudness or intensity of a voice

Practice sessions in which actors & tech crew prepare for public performance through repetition

A person who writes plays

The tempo of an entire theatrical performance

The development & portrayal of personality through thought, action, dialogue, costuming, makeup

The orientation of the actor to the audience (ie. full front, right profile, etc)

A character's goal or intention

The stage area toward the audience

Clothing worn by an actor on stage during a performance

An expressive movement of the body or limbs

A signal, verbal or physical, indicating something else,such as line of dialogue or an entrance

A character's reason for doing or saying things in a play

The director's liaison backstage during rehearsal and performance; runs performances

Two or more people working together in a joint intellectual effort

A spontaneous style of theater through which scenes are created without rehearsal or script

The characteristics of a voice, such as shrill, nasal, raspy, breathy, booming, etc.

The person who oversees the entire process of staging a production

a play dealing with tragic events and having an unhappy ending

The written text of a play

The stage representation of an action or a story

Noncompetitive games designed to develop acting skills

A rehearsal moving from start to finish without stopping for corrections or notes