Theatre Terms
| Term | Definition |
| ELEVATION | A working drawing usually drawn to scale ... |
| ELEVATOR STAGE | A type of mechanized stage which has sec ... |
| ELIZABETHAN THEATRE | English drama of the period when Elizabe ... |
| ELLIPSOIDAL | Sometimes referred to as a Leko. Ellipso ... |
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Stage Left | The left hand side of the stage when looking from the stage towards the audience. |
| Stage Right | The right hand side of the stage when looking from the stage towards the audience. |
| Stalls | Floor level seating for the audience. |
What does theater stage mean?
The stage serves as a space for actors or performers and a focal point for the members of the audience. As an architectural feature, the stage may consist of a platform or series of platforms. In some cases, these may be temporary or adjustable but in theaters and other buildings devoted to such productions, the stage is often a permanent feature.
What is stage terminology?
Stage Terminology. Below are words and phrases that are commonly used in theatre and other live event settings. Grid. The grid is a support structure of the rigging system of a venue. In a theater, typically holding ropes and pulleys that enables stage crew to quickly and safely ‘fly’ elements of the set and lighting in and out of place.
What is Stage Theater?
THEATRE OJECTS apron (noun) the area of a proscenium stage located downstage of the proscenium wall and upstage of the orchestra pit. If the floor of the orchestra pit is raised to stage level (by machinery or with plat-forms) then it may form an extension of the apron, called a forestage or stage extension. arbor pit
What is theater terminology?
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What are the 4 types of stages in theatre?
The four main types of stages are:Found stages.Proscenium stages.Thrust stages.Arena stages.
What are the 8 types of theater stages?
The most common types of stage arrangements are listed below.Proscenium stages. Proscenium stages have an architectural frame, known as the proscenium arch, although not always arched in shape. ... Thrust stages. ... Theatres in-the-round. ... Arena theatres. ... Black-box or studio theatres. ... Platform stages. ... Hippodromes. ... Open air theatres.More items...
What are the parts of a theatre stage called?
Also known as Proscenium Staging. The end-on stage can be split into 9 areas: upstage right, upstage centre, upstage left, centre stage right, centre stage, centre stage left, downstage right, downstage centre, downstage left.
What are the 15 stage positions?
Stage Direction AbbreviationsC: Center.D: Downstage.DR: Downstage right.DRC: Downstage right-center.DC: Downstage center.DLC: Downstage left-center.DL: Downstage left.R: Right.More items...•
What are the 5 categories of theatre?
Terms in this set (5)Commercial. Often puts emphasis on broad entertainment value and profitability. ( ... Historical. About drama that uses styles, themes, and staging of plays from a particular time period. ( ... Political. Focuses on how power is between groups of people. ( ... Experimental. An attempt to reinvent theatre. ... Cultural.
What are the five stages of rehearsals?
Stages of RehearsalAudience Analysis.Preparation.Rehearsal.Confident Delivery.Present in Group.Visual Aid.
What is the edge of a stage called?
This area is known as the apron or forestage. Immediately in front of the stage, or sometimes partly underneath the apron, is the orchestra pit, a sunken area from which the orchestra plays.
What are the wings of a stage?
For example, in a theater, the wings are the hidden areas to the left and right of the stage. This is where actors wait before they make an appearance. So, an actor waiting in the wings is standing off-stage, waiting to perform. The wings are to the right and left of the stage.
What are the parts of a play called?
Today, many teachers refer to the six basic parts of dramatic structure as plot, character, theme, language, music, and spectacle. that take place in a play. A plot has three basic parts: the begin- ning, middle, and end.
What are the 9 stage directions?
The 9 stage directions are center stage, center stage left, center stage right, upstage, upstage left, upstage right, downstage, downstage left, and downstage right.
What are the seats in a theatre called?
Theater seating is a style of commonly used event layout, comprised of chairs aligned in consecutive straight rows, generally facing a single direction. It is sometimes called stadium seating or auditorium seating.
What is the house in a theatre?
House. The “house” can refer to a couple of things in theatre: the actual auditorium, as well as the Front of House , which includes the lobby and box office and Front of House personnel like the house manager, box office attendants, and ushers.
What does strike mean in stage?
This is actually one of the dozens of dictionary definitions for the word “strike,” meaning “to haul down; to dismantle and take away.”. Sitzprobe.
What is the mezzanine in a theatre?
The mezzanine is a higher seating section that hangs over the orchestra. The mezzanine hangs over a different orchestra row in every theatre, so check the seating charts to see how far away the first row of the mezzanine is. The mezzanine is often as desirable as the orchestra.
What does it mean when an understudy goes on in a principal role?
Swing. If an understudy goes on in a principal role, that means they will not go on in their usual ensemble track. A swing knows every single ensemble track in a production and goes on when an ensemblist calls out or is moved up to a principal.
What is a vomitorium?
Named for the Latin vomitorium, a “vom” is a specific type of entranceway in theatre. They signify an entrance/exit for the actors that emerges beneath seating. In ancient Rome, vomitoriums were corridors built beneath or behind seats of a coliseum, stadium, theatre, or arena.
What is a preview performance?
Previews. The first performances of a professional run (certainly on Broadway and Off-Broadway) are preview performances. These are full performances presented with all of the full elements of the show—the billed cast, costumes, lighting, sets, etc. Previews indicate that the show is in flux.
When did theatres use limelight?
Theatres first began using limelight in the 1830s as the first spotlight. Now, we continue to say that those in the limelight are the center of attention. Wing it. This theatre phrase has now been incorporated into the greater colloquial lexicon, but when actors would “wing it” they were going on unprepared.
What is the stage area of an orchestra?
The portion of the stage area visible to the audience, usually defined by masking curtains, scenery, an orchestra shell, or by lighting. Orchestra. (1) A group of musicians who play instrumental selections (2) The portion of the auditorium on the main floor that is closest to the musicians and the acting area.
What is the term for the portion of stage that extends beyond the proscenium opening?
The portion of stage that extends beyond the proscenium opening. Apron (Forestage) The area of the stage located just in front of the proscenium. Arbor. A carriage or rack that contains weights, usually flame cut steel or cast iron, in sufficient quantity to balance a load.
What is the curtain in the stage floor?
The stage floor area that is not a part of the acting area and is not visible to the audience. Olio Curtain. 1) A curtain located between the “Front” or “Act” curtains and the “Rear” curtain that closes off a portion of the acting area for more intimate presentations. It is often colored or decorative.
What is a curtain in theater?
A. A reflective panel hung in the auditorium, generally above the audience, that is used to direct sound into desired zones. Often decorative in nature. A curtain (sometimes designed for a specific show) that is opened to signal the beginning of a performance.
What does it mean to be typecast?
Typecast, typecasting, or type casting may mean: Typecasting (acting), the process by which an actor is strongly identified with a specific character, role, or trait--referred to as a "type.". For example, an actor may play an outspoken senior citizen, which is a type.
What does "underplay" mean?
Distance between a light source (e.g. lantern or projector) and the actor or object being lit. To underemphasize or underplay lines or stage business, either deliberately (in order to bring out other lines or business by contrast) or aimlessly (from weakness of technique).
What is theatrical method?
A theatrical method that emphasizes the inner emotional significance of a play rather than the mere exterior quality. The means to do this are unusual, from heavy symbolism to speeding up (or slowing down) the action, abstract sets and costumes, etc.
What is an amateur theatre?
An amateur theatre maintained by an K-12 educational institution for the entertainment and cultural profit of the student body, and for the training of students in dramatics. 'Academic theatre' is used for college-level theatre. Instrument used to project the image from a rotating glass effects disc.
Can you enter a word in Words in Definition?
You can also enter a word in "Words in Definition.". For example, entering the word "curtain" would display all words whose definition includes that word. (Note: If the A-Z or word search has been activated, it must be reset before using "Search for Term" or "Words in Definition.". To reset the A-Z search: Click Here)
What is a small studio theatre?
A kind of flexible small studio theatre where the audience and actors are in the same room, surrounded by black tabs (curtains). Doesn't necessarily describe the audience layout, which can be easily reconfigured.The stage can be defined by a change of flooring (e.g. black dance floor), or a raised platform.
What is a bridge in a stage?
BRIDGE. 1) A walkway, giving access to technical and service areas above the stage or auditorium, or linking fly-floors. See also CATWALK. 2) A lighting position above the auditorium, commonly with a catwalk above it to access lighting equipment and electrical systems is known in Dutch as a Zaalbrug.
What is a stage crew?
Stage Crew: Members of the stage management team who are based on the stage and help with scene changes, props and furniture. Stage Crew (also known as Stagehands) are often employed on a casual basis for a specific production, and may not be part of the theatre's full-time staff.
What is closed circuit television?
Closed Circuit television. A video relay system, used in the theatre to give a view of the stage to remote technical operators (especially stage managers). Also used to give musical performers a view of the conductor (and vice versa) to help in keeping time.
What is a live sound effects board?
A live sound effects board on which are mounted a number of different types of doorbells / phone bells etc. Usually operated by stage management. The switch or bell push to operate the doorbell (or even the whole bell board) can easily be mounted on the set if the director wants the actors to operate it themselves.
What happens when another actor fails to enter on cue?
1) another actor fails to enter on cue. 2) the normal progress of the play is disturbed. 3) lines are forgotten. 4) It may also be a bad habit developed by some actors whereby unnecessary "gags" are introduced into the dialogue.
What is ABTT in theatre?
ABTT. (UK) The Association of British Theatre Technicians, which was formed in 1961 as a charity, to provide a forum for discussion among theatre technicians, architects and managers of all disciplines, and disseminate information of a technical nature, to all its members. ABTT Website. ACT.
What is the part of the theatre accommodating the audience during the performance called?
Some audition processes have pages of text available outside the audition room for actors to familarise themselves with before the audition. AUDITORIUM. The part of the theatre accommodating the audience during the performance. Sometimes known as the "house". From the Latin Audio - "I hear".
What is the backstage of a stage?
BACKSTAGE. The part of the stage and theatre which is out of the sight of the audience. The service areas of the theatre, behind, beside or underneath the stage. Also refers to the personnel who work in the technical departments that work to create the performance, alongside the actors and musicians. BALLET.
What is the front of house in a theatre?
FRONT OF HOUSE (FOH) 1) Every part of the theatre in front of the proscenium arch. Includes foyer areas open to the general public. 2) All lanterns which are on the audience side of the proscenium and are focussed towards the stage. The backstage areas of the theatre are known as Rear of House (ROH). GET-IN.
What is an apron stage extension?
Also known as Forestage. If an apron stage extension is added to an existing traditional proscenium arch theatre, this often results in poor sight lines from seats that are higher in the auditorium, leading to audience members having to lean forward in an attempt to see. German: vorbühne (literally, forestage). ARENA.
What is a small studio theatre?
A kind of flexible small studio theatre where the audience and actors are in the same room, surrounded by black tabs (curtains). Doesn't necessarily describe the audience layout, which can be easily reconfigured.The stage can be defined by a change of flooring (e.g. black dance floor), or a raised platform.
What is a full stage black?
A Full Stage Black is a black cloth which can be flown in and is the full width of the stage. This is used to go upstage of a gauze to make transformation scenes work effectively, or can be used as a neutral backing for carefully lit scenes downstage. Blacks flown vertically at the edge of the stage are known as LEGS.
What is a dance performance?
2) A dance performance containing the music and choreography of a ballet. Wikipedia entry. BEGINNERS.