Theatre Makers

Question 1

Actor

Answer 1

Person (male or female) whose role is to play a character. Although the term
‘actress’ is still used for a female actor, many women prefer to have the same title as the men.

Question 2

Amateur

Answer 2

Member of a theatre company which is not professional.

Question 3

ASM

Answer 3

Assistant Stage Manager.

Question 4

Audience

Answer 4

A group of people who participate in a show or encounter a work of art, literature, theatre, music, video games, or academics in any medium. Some types of performance (e.g. street theatre) call for greater audience involvement.

Question 5

Bit part

Answer 5

A small role for an actor.

Question 6

Cast

Answer 6

The members of the acting company.

Question 7

Choreographer

Answer 7

Member of the production team responsible for setting dances and movement sequences during the production.

Question 8

Company

Answer 8

The cast, crew and other staff associated with a show.

Question 9

Costume designer

Answer 9

Member of the creative team for a show responsible for the clothes worn by the actors throughout the performance.

Question 10

Dancer

Answer 10

Member of the company whose role is choreographed, and who has no spoken words.

Question 11

Director

Answer 11

Broadly, the role involves being responsible for the overall artistic vision of a production.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR - Normally in charge of the programming of a venue. May also direct shows.
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR - In charge of the technical requirements of a production.

Question 12

Dramatist

Answer 12

A playwright, composer or lyricist who takes an existing story and transforms it into a play or musical.

Question 13

Ensemble

Answer 13

An acting group. Normally used to describe a group of actors who work well together, with no-one outshining the others.

Question 14

Lyricist

Answer 14

Author of the text of a musical/the words of a song.

Question 15

Playwright

Answer 15

The author of a play. Also known as a DRAMATIST.

Question 16

Professional

Answer 16

Normally used for someone who’s regularly paid for a particular job (as opposed to an amateur, who does it for fun).

Question 17

Sound designer

Answer 17

Member of the production team who has the responsibility for planning and executing the layout of all sound playback and reinforcement equipment for the show. This role also includes the sourcing of music and sound effects for the production.

Question 18

Stage crew

Answer 18

Member of the Stage staff who is responsible for moving props and/or scenery during the show, and for ensuring that items under his/her responsibility are working correctly and properly maintained.

Question 19

Stage manager

Answer 19

The Head of the Stage Management team comprising the deputy stage manager
(DSM) and assistant stage manager (ASM). The DSM is normally “on the book” calling the cues from the prompt corner. The ASM supervises props.

Question 20

Understudy

Answer 20

A member of the cast of a musical or play who understudies one (sometimes more) of the principal roles and is also in the chorus.

Question 21

Ushers

Answer 21

Members of Front-of-House staff who guide audience members to their seats, and often sit in the auditorium during the show in case of emergency.

Question 22

Walk-on

Answer 22

A small acting role with no lines.