Drama Glossary Terms

Question 1

Act

Answer 1

A division of the action of the play; a part of the play.

Question 2

Aside

Answer 2

Thoughts or speech that a character delivers directly to the audience, and “cannot be heard by other characters in the play”.

Question 3

Auditorium

Answer 3

The part of the theatre accommodating the audience during the performance.

Question 4

Blocking

Answer 4

The path/movement the actors make on stage as decided upon by the actor and director.

Question 5

Breaking character

Answer 5

When an actor, while actively performing in character, slips out of character and behaves as their actual self.

Question 6

Catharsis

Answer 6

The purging of emotions through art; a process, in which the audience, release, strong, pent-up emotions by watching plays.

Question 7

Chorus

Answer 7

A group of actors in a play, who comment on and describe the action.

Question 8

Comedy

Answer 8

A Play that treats characters and situations in a humorous way, typically has a happy ending.

Question 9

Curtain call

Answer 9

At the end of a performance, the audience applauding the actors as they bow.

Question 10

Dialogue

Answer 10

Words spoken by characters in literary work, as opposed to words that come directly from the narrator.

Question 11

Drama

Answer 11

A work of literature, in which action is performed, and all words are spoken before an audience by an actor or actors who are impersonating the characters.

Question 12

Dramatic irony

Answer 12

Occurs when the reader or audience knows information that the characters do not.

Question 13

Dress rehearsal

Answer 13

A full rehearsal with all technical and creative elements brought together.

Question 14

Enunciation

Answer 14

The act of pronouncing words; good enunciation means your words are clear and distinct and listeners can understand what you are saying while you are performing.

Question 15

Fourth wall

Answer 15

An imaginary, invisible wall that separates the audience from the action of a play; “to break the fourth wall” is when an actor talks directly to the audience.

Question 16

FX

Answer 16

Sound effects

Question 17

LX

Answer 17

Lighting

Question 18

Monologue

Answer 18

A long speech delivered by a single character in a work of art. (Everyone can hear it).

Question 19

Playwright

Answer 19

A person who writes plays

Question 20

Projection

Answer 20

The ability to use your voice loudly, powerfully, and clearly while you are performing.

Question 21

Props

Answer 21

Objects that appear on stage during a play (one specific object )

Question 22

Rehearsal

Answer 22

A Session when actors are called to work through some scenes from the play in private.

Question 23

Script

Answer 23

The text of the play

Question 24

Scene

Answer 24

A section or subdivision of an act in a play. 

Question 25

Set

Answer 25

The design, decoration and scenery of the stage during a play. (everything in the stage)

Question 26

Soliloquy

Answer 26

A speech in which a character, usually alone on stage, speaks their inner thoughts aloud.

Question 27

Stage

Answer 27

The area in the theatre where the actor perform; types of theatres include: amphitheatre, Arena stage, the proscenium stage, thrust stage.

Question 28

Stage directions

Answer 28

Instructions in the script that tell the actors what to do, and where to move on stage; may also provide characterization and information about the setting.

Question 29

Tragedy

Answer 29

Any serious play in which man is a victim of fate, a character flaw, moral weakness, or social pressure; typically has a sad ending.