Theatre Basics

Tall black curtains at the sides of the stage used to "hide" actors, backstage, and scenery.

• cue

• wings

• proscenium

• offstage

the lowered section between the audience and stage, where the musicians sit.

• wings

• proscenium

• apron

• Pit

the "wall" that separates the audience portion of the theater from the stage portion of the theater

• proscenium

• apron

• pit

• house

to tear down or get rid of the scenery after a play or musical is over. Clean up.

• proscenium

• strike

• rip apart

• pit

area on the stage in front of the curtain

• apron

• main stage

• proscenium

• pit

The process of arranging moves to be made by the actors during the play, recorded by stage management in the prompt script.

• props

• stage management

• blocking

• arena

the performer readjusts his or her body with an audience in mind.

• blocking

• audience view

• apron

• cheat out

Following a rehearsal (or an early performance in a run) the director will give notes to the cast and crew about where to make changes, improvements, cuts etc.

• blocking

• notes

• apron

• stage picture

the lines spoken in a play.

• monologue

• dialogue

• stage directions

• proscenium

a section of lines from a scene during which only one person speaks.

• dialogue

• proscenium

• monologue

• stage directions