Designing Keywords

Question 1

Apron

Answer 1

Part of the stage that extends past the proscenium arch and into the audience or seating area.

Question 2

Black box studio

Answer 2

A large square room with black walls and a flat floor.

Question 3

Audience configuration

Answer 3

The position the audience are in e.g. end on, in the round, traverse, thrust.

Question 4

Fourth wall

Answer 4

The space which separates a performers or performance from an audience. ‘To break the fourth wall’ is phrase where the actor speaks directly to the audience.

Question 5

Proscenium arch

Answer 5

The part of a theatre stage in front of the curtain.

Question 6

End on

Answer 6

A staging arrangement in which the audience all sit on one side facing the performance area.

Question 7

Traverse staging

Answer 7

This staging arrangement in which the audience is placed on both sides of the performance space facing each other.

Question 8

Theatre in the round

Answer 8

This is the type of performance space where the audience surrounds the performance on all sides.

Question 9

Accessories

Answer 9

Anything carried or worn on top of the basic e.g. a shawl, jewellery.

Question 10

Personal props

Answer 10

Small props that are usually carried within the actor’s costume e.g. money or a pen.

Question 11

Backlight/ back projection

Answer 11

A light from the back of the stage/ a way of projecting images onto the back wall of the set.

Question 12

Blackout

Answer 12

A lighting cue where all the lights go out at the same time. Used often for scene changes.

Question 13

Gel

Answer 13

The colour sheet that goes in front of the lamp to create a different coloured light on stage.

Question 14

Flood light

Answer 14

A large, powerful light, typically one of several used to illuminate a sports ground, a stage, or the exterior of a building. Covers the stage in a lot of white light.

Question 15

Strobe

Answer 15

A device used to produce regular flashes of light.

Question 16

Fresnel

Answer 16

A common lantern used in theatre, which employs a Fresnel lens to wash light over an area of the stage.

Question 17

Profile light

Answer 17

The lantern used to create a spot light.

Question 18

Focus

Answer 18

The adjustment of lighting equipment in terms of the direction it is aimed.

Question 19

Gobo

Answer 19

A partial screen used in front of a spotlight to project a shape.

Question 20

Minimalistic set design

Answer 20

A minimalistic set design would have only a few props and furniture pieces on stage.

Question 21

Projection/ projected images

Answer 21

Moving images might be projected on a wall or screen to communicate the play’s themes e.g. stormy clouds might be projected to suggest bad things are around the corner.

Question 22

Non-naturalistic staging

Answer 22

This would be a set design in which dimensions are exaggerated or items would be hanging from ceilings that you wouldn’t expect in real life.

Question 23

Raked stage

Answer 23

This when the rear of the stage is higher than the front of the stage. It helps with visibility and was common in older theatres. A raked stage can have an impact on perspective because it isn’t level.

Question 24

Level

Answer 24

Intensity of the light or intensity of sound.

Question 25

Rigging

Answer 25

The structure that the lights are attached to.

Question 26

Special effects

Answer 26

Lighting or sound effects used to enhance a theatrical performance.

Question 27

Cross fade

Answer 27

Fading from one lighting state to another without the blackout.

Question 28

Downright

Answer 28

A light from directly above the acting area.

Question 29

Back drop

Answer 29

A painted cloth hung at the back of a theatre stage as part of the scenery.

Question 30

Cyclorama

Answer 30

A cloth stretched tight in an arc around the back of a stage set, often used to depict the sky.

Question 31

Flat

Answer 31

A wooden frame, usually covered with painted cloth used to create walls or separation on stage.

Question 32

Platform

Answer 32

Flat walking surface for the actors to perform on above the level of the stage.

Question 33

Scenery

Answer 33

The theatrical equipment such as flats, curtains, backdrops used to communicate a location.

Question 34

Treads

Answer 34

Steps or stairs.

Question 35

Thrust staging

Answer 35

A staging arrangement in which the audience sit on three sides of the stage.

Question 36

Sound effects

Answer 36

Pre-recorded or live sounds to enhance the performance e.g. a doorbell or a gunshot.

Question 37

Diegetic/ non-diegetic

Answer 37

Diegetic - what can be heard within the world of the story/characters. Non-diegetic - something only the audience can hear e.g. a soundtrack.