8th Grade - Theatre roles, Stage directions

Question 1

Actor/Actress

Answer 1

A person who performs a role in a play, work of theatre, or movie.

Question 2

Antagonist

Answer 2

A person or a situation that opposes another character’s goals or desires.

Question 3

Blocking​

Answer 3

The planning and working out of the movements of actors on stage.

Question 4

Center stage ​

Answer 4

The center of the area defined as the stage.

Question 5

Characterization ​

Answer 5

The development and portrayal of a personality through thought, action, dialogue, costuming, and makeup.

Question 6

Choreography

Answer 6

the art of creating dances for performance

Question 7

Climax​

Answer 7

The point of greatest dramatic tension or transition in a theatrical work.

Question 8

Cold reading ​

Answer 8

A reading of a script done by actors who have not previously reviewed the play.

Question 9

Conflict​

Answer 9

Conflict​ Opposition of persons or forces giving rise to dramatic action.

Question 10

Costume​

Answer 10

Clothing worn by an actor on stage during a performance

Question 11

Cue​

Answer 11

A signal, either verbal or physical, that indicates something else, such as a line of dialogue or an entrance, is to happen.

Question 12

Denouement​

Answer 12

The final resolution of the conflict in a plot.

Question 13

Dialogue ​

Answer 13

The conversation between actors on stage.

Question 14

Diction ​

Answer 14

The pronunciation of words, the choice of words, and the manner in which a person expresses themself

Question 15

Director ​

Answer 15

The person who oversees the entire process of staging a production.

Question 16

Downstage​

Answer 16

The stage area toward the audience.

Question 17

Dress rehearsals​

Answer 17

The final few rehearsals just prior to opening night in which the show is run with full technical elements. Full costumes and makeup are worn.

Question 18

Ensemble ​

Answer 18

A group of theatrical artists working together to create a theatrical production.

Question 19

Exposition ​

Answer 19

Detailed information revealing the facts of a plot.

Question 20

Gesture​

Answer 20

An expressive movement of the body or limbs.

Question 21

Improvisation​

Answer 21

A spontaneous style of theatre through which scenes are created without advance rehearsal or a script.

Question 22

Level​

Answer 22

The height of an actor’s head as determined by his or her body position (e.g., sitting, lying, standing, or elevated by an artificial means).

Question 23

Monologue​

Answer 23

A long speech by a single character.

Question 24

Motivation​

Answer 24

A character’s reason for doing or saying things in a play.

Question 25

Objective​

Answer 25

A character’s goal or intention

Question 26

Pacing​

Answer 26

The tempo (or speed) of an entire theatrical performance.

Question 27

Pantomime​

Answer 27

Acting without words through facial expression, gesture, and movement.

Question 28

Play​

Answer 28

The stage representation of an action or a story; a dramatic composition.

Question 29

Protagonist​

Answer 29

The main character of a play and the character with whom the audience identifies most strongly.

Question 30

Playwright

Answer 30

A person who writes plays

Question 32

Rising action​

Answer 32

The part of a plot consisting of complications and discoveries that create conflict.

Question 32

Protagonist​

Answer 32

The main character of a play and the character with whom the audience identifies most strongly.

Question 33

Props​

Answer 33

Items carried on stage by an actor; small items on the set used by the actors.

Question 34

Projection ​

Answer 34

Volume, clarity, and distinctness of voice that communicates clearly to an audience.

Question 35

Script ​

Answer 35

The written text of a play.

Question 36

Stage​

Answer 36

The area where actors perform.

Question 37

Stage left ​

Answer 37

The left side of the stage from the perspective of an actor facing the audience.

Question 38

Stage left ​

Answer 38

The left side of the stage from the perspective of an actor facing the audience.

Question 39

Stage manager​

Answer 39

Person responsible for the smooth running of each performance; usually positioned backstage.

Question 40

Stage right ​

Answer 40

The right side of the stage from the perspective of an actor facing the audience.

Question 41

Tableau ​

Answer 41

A silent and motionless depiction of a scene created by actors, often from a picture

Question 42

Tragedy ​

Answer 42

A form of drama in which the main character suffers disaster.

Question 43

Upstage ​

Answer 43

The area of the stage furthest from the audience