Theater Vocabulary

The pronunciation of words

The backstage technical crew responsible for running the show

The person who oversees the entire process of staging a production

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

a play dealing with tragic events and having an unhappy ending

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

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

The degree of loudness or intensity of a voice

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

A personality or role an actor/actress re-creates

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

The written text of a play

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

The center of the area defined as the stage

Opposition of persons or forces giving rise to dramatic action

The area where actors perform

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

A long speech by a single character

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

Noncompetitive games designed to develop acting skills

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

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

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

Clothing worn by an actor on stage during a performance

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

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

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

An expressive movement of the body or limbs

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

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

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

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

Theater that focuses on public performance in front of audience

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

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

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

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

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

Two or more people working together in a joint intellectual effort

A theatrical work that is intentionally humorous

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

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

The stage representation of an action or a story

A character's goal or intention

The stage area toward the audience

The highness or lowness of voice

A person who writes plays

The tempo of an entire theatrical performance

A type of entertainment containing music, songs and dance

The conversation between actors on stage

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