theatre terms (part 1)

Question 1

apron

Answer 1

the section of the stage floor that extends beyond the proscenium arch towards or into the auditorium

Question 2

ASM

Answer 2

assistant stage manager

Question 3

black box

Answer 3

a kind of studio theatre where the audience and actors are in the same room surrounded by black curtains

Question 4

Blackout/bo

Answer 4

complete absence of stage lighting. Backstage blue working lights may remain on except during a Dead Blackout (DBO) when there is NO light. Exit signs and emergency lights must remain on at all times

Question 5

Blocking

Answer 5

The management’s coordination of actors’ movements on stage. Positions at the start of scenes are noted as well as all movements made on the stage (notes use terms like Mother XDSL” meaning the Mother crosses downstage left)

Question 6

Call

Answer 6

To notify cast and crew of cues, rehearsal times, and the rise and fall of a curtain. Basically, a call informs cast and crew when they need to show up onstage

Question 7

Cue

Answer 7

A signal for something to happen onstage.

Question 8

Cyclorama

Answer 8

Usually shortened to just cyc (pronounced sike). A curved plain cloth or plastered wall at the rear of a stage often used as a “sky” backing

Question 9

Director

Answer 9

There are many types of directors. Broadly, the role involves being responsible for the overall artistic vision of a production.

Question 10

Downstage

Answer 10

• The part of the stage nearest to the audience
• A movement towards the audience.