Stage Direction and Terminology

1. Backstage – The designation also applies to the wings area and can be used to indicate
anything in the physical plant that is not stage or house.
2. Blocking – The exact placement on the stage where an actor needs to be.
3. Call Time – The time in which an actor must be present at the theatre for an audition,
rehearsal, or show.
4. Characterization – The art of developing the character.
5. Cue – The action or words that signals what happens next.
6. Curtain Call – That magical moment after production when the cast comes out for a bow
and applause.
7. Dialogue – A conversation between two or more characters.
8. Director – Person responsible for coordinating, guiding and developing of all aspects of a
production so that the performance represents a unified vision.
9. Encore – That epic musical number that occurs after audiences have applauded the finale
of a show and cast members have given a closing bow.
10. Ensemble – Harmonious blending of the efforts of the many artists involved in the
dramatic activity of theatrical production to create a desired effect.
11. Fourth Wall – The conceptual barrier between actor and audience member. Performers
that “break the fourth wall” address the audience.
 Stage Direction and Terminology
12. Front-of-House – Areas of theatre or performing arts venue where the public can be. At
Way Off Broadway, it’s the foyer where concessions are.
13. Ghost Light – A light that stays illuminated on a stage when the auditorium is otherwise
unoccupied.
14. House – The place where the audience sits.
15. Improvise – The spontaneous, intuitive, and immediate response of movement and
speech; a distinction can be made between spontaneous improvisation, which is
immediate and unrehearsed, and prepared improvisation, which is shaped and rehearsed.
16. Method Acting – When actors try to achieve a complete emotional understanding of their
character (i.e. adjusting their lifestyle to align with a role as part of the rehearsal process).
17. Monologue – A work written to be spoken by just one person.
18. Off Book – When actors can finally toss the script aside because they have their lines
memorized.
19. Playwright – A person who writes a play.
20. Proscenium – The arch or boarder that frames a stage.
21. Quick change – A really, really, really, really fast costume change.
22. Run Through – When a cast rehearses the entire show from beginning to end.
23. Scene – A division of an act or of the play itself.
24. Staging – Patterns of movement in a scene or play including, for example, stage crosses,
entrances, and exits which help to convey meaning.
25. Stage Crew – The backstage technical crew responsible for running the show.
26. Stage Direction – When a play’s text includes instructional movement or gestures.
27. Stage Hand – A person that assists with moving stage pieces during scene transitions and
assists backstage during performances.
28. Stage Manager – The person in charge backstage during the performance.
29. Strike – When the run of a show is done and everyone involved congregates to destroy
the set.
30. Techie – A loving term of endearment for those who make the magic happen offstage
(aka theatre technicians who work with lights, props, sets, etc.)
31. Understudy – It’s like a substitute teacher for a role.
32. Upstaged – This word refers to that theatre kid who constantly tries to outshine everyone.