Parts of the Theatre
Theatre: The building where acting takes place
Deck: The stage area
Proscenium: The boundary between the stage and the audience in a conventional theatre; it appears to form an arch over the stage from the audience's point of view
Apron: The stage area in front of the proscenium arch
Wings: The "backstage" or parts of a stage off to the left and right not seen by the audience
Tabs: Curtains separating the stage from the audience
Orchestra Pit: Where the musicians play, usually directly in front of the stage, often sunken below the seating sections
House: The seating section of the theatre, the people in the theatre and/or the audience
Greenroom: The area backstage where actors rest before, during and after a show
Deck: The stage area
Proscenium: The boundary between the stage and the audience in a conventional theatre; it appears to form an arch over the stage from the audience's point of view
Apron: The stage area in front of the proscenium arch
Wings: The "backstage" or parts of a stage off to the left and right not seen by the audience
Tabs: Curtains separating the stage from the audience
Orchestra Pit: Where the musicians play, usually directly in front of the stage, often sunken below the seating sections
House: The seating section of the theatre, the people in the theatre and/or the audience
Greenroom: The area backstage where actors rest before, during and after a show
Rehearsal Vocabulary
Rehearsal: Practice of the play
Script: The text of the dialogue and stage directions of a play
Blocking: An actor's movement around a set
Stage Direction: Any instruction for the actors in the script of a play
Stage Left: The side of the stage on the left when facing the audience
Stage Right: The side of the stage on the right when facing the audience
Downstage: The front of the stage; in the direction of the audience
Upstage: Towards the back of the stage; the half of the stage that is farthest from the audience
Crossing: Moving from one point on the stage to another
Exit: A stage direction which specifies which person goes off stage
Beat: The smallest division of action in a play or a very short pause
Read Through: A reading of the entire play or act without blocking
Monologue: An extended set of lines spoken by one person either directly addressing the audience or another character
Motivation: A character's individual desires or goals which propel them into action; the driving force of an inciting event that starts a story's progression
Cheating: The practice of turning one's body towards the audience even while keeping the head facing one's scene partner
Prompt: To give an actor his/her next line when he/she has forgotten it
Ad Libbing: Acting without having planned what to do or say
Fourth Wall: An imaginary surface at the edge of the stage through which the audience watches a performance (If a character speaks directly to the audience or walks on/off the stage, this is known as “Breaking the Fourth Wall”)
Script: The text of the dialogue and stage directions of a play
Blocking: An actor's movement around a set
Stage Direction: Any instruction for the actors in the script of a play
Stage Left: The side of the stage on the left when facing the audience
Stage Right: The side of the stage on the right when facing the audience
Downstage: The front of the stage; in the direction of the audience
Upstage: Towards the back of the stage; the half of the stage that is farthest from the audience
Crossing: Moving from one point on the stage to another
Exit: A stage direction which specifies which person goes off stage
Beat: The smallest division of action in a play or a very short pause
Read Through: A reading of the entire play or act without blocking
Monologue: An extended set of lines spoken by one person either directly addressing the audience or another character
Motivation: A character's individual desires or goals which propel them into action; the driving force of an inciting event that starts a story's progression
Cheating: The practice of turning one's body towards the audience even while keeping the head facing one's scene partner
Prompt: To give an actor his/her next line when he/she has forgotten it
Ad Libbing: Acting without having planned what to do or say
Fourth Wall: An imaginary surface at the edge of the stage through which the audience watches a performance (If a character speaks directly to the audience or walks on/off the stage, this is known as “Breaking the Fourth Wall”)
Additional Terminology
Cast: The actors in a play
Understudy: An actor familiar with another actor's role so that he or she can substitute in an emergency
Call Time: The time at which each individual actor is expected to be at the theater
Run or Run Through: A practice of an entire play or act
Intermission: A break between acts
Load In: The process of setting up the theatre for the show
Technical Rehearsal or Tech: A rehearsal primarily for the purpose of practicing the technical elements of a play, such as lights and sound
Dress Rehearsal or Dress: A practice of the play with all actors wearing full costumes
Sold Out: When the number of tickets sold for a performance is equal to or greater than the number of available seats
Standing Room Only (SRO): Admittance to a performance after all of the seats are filled which requires people to stand to watch
Break a Leg: A saying for actors before they go out on stage, meaning "good luck"
Curtain Call: when the actors come to the front of the stage to bow at the end of a performance
Standing Ovation: When the audience stands and claps at the end of a performance, a higher form of praise than normal applause
Strike: To remove a set piece or from the stage ("Strike that chair") To "strike the show" is to disassemble the entirety of the set, return all equipment to storage and leave the venue as it was before the show was set up
Understudy: An actor familiar with another actor's role so that he or she can substitute in an emergency
Call Time: The time at which each individual actor is expected to be at the theater
Run or Run Through: A practice of an entire play or act
Intermission: A break between acts
Load In: The process of setting up the theatre for the show
Technical Rehearsal or Tech: A rehearsal primarily for the purpose of practicing the technical elements of a play, such as lights and sound
Dress Rehearsal or Dress: A practice of the play with all actors wearing full costumes
Sold Out: When the number of tickets sold for a performance is equal to or greater than the number of available seats
Standing Room Only (SRO): Admittance to a performance after all of the seats are filled which requires people to stand to watch
Break a Leg: A saying for actors before they go out on stage, meaning "good luck"
Curtain Call: when the actors come to the front of the stage to bow at the end of a performance
Standing Ovation: When the audience stands and claps at the end of a performance, a higher form of praise than normal applause
Strike: To remove a set piece or from the stage ("Strike that chair") To "strike the show" is to disassemble the entirety of the set, return all equipment to storage and leave the venue as it was before the show was set up