Years 7 & 8 Theatre Vocabulary

The apron is any part of the stage that extends past the proscenium arch and into the audience or seating area. See also thrust

The area of a theatre where the actors wait until it's time to walk onstage and play their parts. The audience can't see what's going on backstage.

Is used in theatrical productions to help the audience be transported from one scene to another or between short works. The lights simply go out leaving the theatre dark while the sets are being changed or the performers are preparing for the next piece.

A traditional term used to describe the path traced by an actor’s movement on stage, including entrances and exits. It is usually determined by the director with assistance from the actor, and often noted in the script during rehearsal.

A person portrayed in a scripted or devised play, novel, or other artistic piece.

When an actor breaks character during a scene by laughing or forgetting their lines, or by causing another cast member to do so.

An outfit worn to create the appearance characteristic of a particular period, person, place, or thing Halloween costumes.

When 2 or more scenes that take place in different times or places Are performed on stage at the same time.

The person responsible for deciding the artistic interpretation of a performance of a play; they work with actors and designers to bring their vision to the stage. A director will usually decide on staging or blocking, and will guide or assist actors in developing an effective performance of their role.

A position nearer the audience or at the front of the stage.

A full rehearsal (as of a play) in costume and with stage properties shortly before the first performance.

Spoken conversation used by two characters to express thoughts, feelings and attitudes.

A literary device where a story breaks away from the present narrative to delve into the past, by showing us a past event or a scene from the past. Essentially, It's the opposite of foreshadowing, which reveals a future event.

Any movement of the actor’s body that is used to convey meaning, attitude or feeling.

The spontaneous and imaginative use of movement and speech to create a character or object in a particular situation and develop the scene. It is also a form of live theatre in which plot, characters and dialogue are made up on the spot, often based upon a suggestion from the audience. Often abbreviated to ‘improv’.

The art of portraying characters and acting out situations or creating narratives through gesture and body movement without the use of speech.

Copying the movement and/or expression or look of someone else exactly.

A long speech made by one actor; a monologue may be delivered alone or in the presence of others. Not to be confused with a soliloquy

The sequence of events of a play or arrangement of action, as opposed to the theme. See also story line.

Short for properties, props refers to any article used as part of a dramatic production that is not costume or set; it is any moveable object that appears on stage during a performance. If a piece of set is used in a direct way, then it becomes a prop; for example, a chair is part of the set but if a character picks the chair up and uses it for a particular purpose, such as to jam a door shut, then at that moment the chair becomes a prop. Hand props are items such as tools, weapons or luggage that are carried on stage by an individual actor. Personal props are items usually carried in an actor’s costume, such as money or a pen

The process of bringing a script to life on the stage, after the initial period of exploration by director and cast has been completed. During the rehearsal process, actors learn to work ‘off book’ (without a script) and focus on achieving complete fluency in the performance. Rehearsal of a devised piece does not properly start until at least the main outline and structure of the piece have been agreed by the group, although the piece will continue to be shaped and developed through the rehearsal process. A technical rehearsal (‘Tech’) is an opportunity to run through all the lighting, sound and set change cues in sequence, often using only fragments of the dialogue. A dress rehearsal is a full performance of the piece as if to an audience.

Role on the Wall can be a useful tool when exploring characters. An outline of a body is drawn and put on the wall. Information is then added within and around the outline to describe the character's personality, interests and objectives within the piece of drama, and can be referred to throughout the devising process.

When and where the action of a play takes place

The stage is split into two sections, so two different pieces of action can be seen alongside each other.

An instruction (emotional & directional) to an actor or director, written into the script of a play.

Stage managers are responsible for ensuring that theatrical performances run smoothly and to schedule. They organise all practical and technical aspects of rehearsals and shows and ensure that performers and crew are in the right place at the right time.

The action is frozen like a photo to show and focus on an emotion.

Thought Tracking is when a character steps out of a scene to address the audience about how they're feeling. Sharing thoughts in this way provides deeper insight into the character for an audience.

A position further away from the audience or at the back of the stage. See also downstage.

Writing in Role is a drama strategy that asks students to write from a character's perspective, typically in a familiar format like a diary entry; a letter, email, or text; a newspaper headline; or a letter to an editor.

Objectives, super objectives, stakes

Something your character needs in their life

a smaller goal your character want in a scene

whats to gain and what’s to lose

alienation effect, epic theatre, and gestus

an effect that causes the audience to question what theyre seeing

Epic theatre aims to confront the audience, plot questions in their mind, and inspire them into action