Theater Vocabulary- Part 2 Ad-lib: to improvise (make up) lines that are not part of the written script

Transcription

1 Ad-lib: to improvise (make up) lines that are not part of the written script Apron: the area between the front curtain and the edge of the stage. Asides: remarks made to the audience or to one character and the other characters on stage do not hear the remarks Audition: a tryout for a part in a drama; also, the act of trying out. Backdrop: a flat surface the width of the stage, hung upstage of the acting area, upon which scenery is usually painted. Book: the script of a play. Catwalk: a narrow bridge above the house and the grid, near the ceiling, that provides access to stage scenery, rigging, and lighting units. Center stage: the area in the center or middle of the stage.

2 Character: a person portrayed in a drama, novel, or other artistic piece. Characterization: how an actor uses body, voice, and thought to develop and portray a character. Choreography: the movement of actors and dancers to music in a play. Chorus: a group of performers who sing, dance, or recite in unison; in Greek drama, the chorus was the group of performers who sang and danced between episodes, narrated off-stage action, and commented on events. Cold reading: an audition in which the actor is asked to read from the script without any preparation; intended to give the director a better sense of the actor s potential and range. Critique- opinions & comments used in evaluating a person/performance

3 Curtain call: the appearance of the cast at the end of a play to receive applause from the audience. Downstage- the front of the stage in a proscenium theater (the area closest to the curtain and audience) dress rehearsal: a rehearsal, usually the last one before performances begin, in which all lighting, costumes, makeup, set changes, props, sound effects, and special effects are used. Duet: in acting, when two people perform on stage. Ensemble: A group of musicians, singers, dancers, or actors who perform together Finale: the ending part of any performance Flat: a wooden frame, usually covered with painted cloth, used to create walls or separations on stage.

4 Fly: to raise, lower, or hoist scenery to or from the flies onto the stage. Gesture: any movement of the actor s head, shoulder, arm, hand, leg, or foot to convey meaning. Green room: a waiting area offstage to be used by actors. Improvisation: Unplanned acting without a script-making it up as you go along Intermission: a brief break between acts or parts of a performance, in which the house lights come on and the audience may leave their seats. Monologue- a long speech spoken by ONE person revealing thoughts & feelings Monotone: literally one-tone - a boring vocal delivery with no emotion or change in pitch or emphasis

5 Off book: when the actor has memorized his or her lines completely. On book: a rehearsal with scripts. Pantomime: Action without words- Nonverbal communication through body movement, gesture, and facial expression. Places the stage command for actors and crew to get into position for the beginning of a scene Playwright: a person who writes a play. Projection: speaking loudly on stage for everyone to hear Script: a written copy of a play Setting: the when & where for a scene, story or play Soliloquy- a monologue usually delivered while the character is alone onstage-thinking aloud.

6 Stage Fright: a nervous feeling about performing Tongue Twister: tricky phrases that help the actor warm up their mind, mouth & voice Understudies: actors who are able to play major roles in the event the originally cast actors cannot. Upstage: (noun) the area on stage farthest from the audience, toward the backstage wall. upstage: (verb) to deliberately draw the audience s attention away from another actor or actors by overacting, using flashy bits of business, or other means; term originated from an actor purposefully positioning himself upstage of the other actors so that they must turn their backs on the audience to deliver their lines to him.