Theatre Terms

Question 1

Blocking

Answer 1

The actor’s movements around the stage, including choreography.

Question 2

Cheating Out

Answer 2

Turning slightly toward the house when performing, so the audience can better see one’s face and hear one’s lines.

Question 3

Cross

Answer 3

An actor’s movement to a new position onstage.

Question 4

Downstage

Answer 4

The portion of the stage closest to the audience; the opposite of upstage.

Question 5

House

Answer 5

The area of the theater where the audience sits to watch the show.

Question 6

House Left/Right

Answer 6

The left/right side of the theater from the audience’s perspective.

Question 7

Libretto

Answer 7

The script (dialogue and stage directions) and lyrics together.

Question 8

Objective

Answer 8

What a character wants to do or achieve.

Question 9

Off-Book

Answer 9

An actor’s ability to perform memorized lines without holding the script.

Question 10

Off/Backstage

Answer 10

Any area out of view of the audience.

Question 11

Onstage

Answer 11

Anything on the stage within view of the audience.

Question 12

Opening Night

Answer 12

The first official performance of a production, after which the show is frozen, meaning no further changes are made.

Question 13

Raked Stage

Answer 13

A stage that is raised slightly upstage so that it slants toward the audience.

Question 14

Read-Through

Answer 14

An early rehearsal of a play at which actors read their dialogue from scripts without blocking or memorizing lines

Question 15

Rehearsal

Answer 15

A meeting during which the cast learns and practices the show.

Question 16

Score

Answer 16

All musical elements of a show, including songs and underscoring.

Question 17

Speed-Through

Answer 17

To perform the dialogue of a scene as quickly as possible. A speed-through rehearsal helps actors memorize their lines and infuses energy into the pacing of a scene.

Question 18

Stage Direction

Answer 18

Words in the script that describe character actions that are not part of the dialogue.

Question 19

Stage Manager

Answer 19

A person responsible for keeping all rehearsals and performances organized and on schedule.

Question 20

Upstage

Answer 20

The part of the stage farthest from the audience; the opposite of
downstage.

Question 21

Warm-Ups

Answer 21

Exercises at the beginning of a rehearsal or before a performance
that prepare actors’ voices and bodies.