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THEA 100 Term List
THEA 100 Approach to Theatre - Midterm Terms list
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Acting (actor) | the art of performing a character in a play |
| Empathy | the ability to understand and share a character’s feelings |
| Presentational | a style of acting that openly acknowledges the audience |
| Art | creative expression used to communicate ideas or emotions |
| Audience | the people who watch a performance |
| House management | the staff responsible for audience services in a theater |
| Immediacy | the live connection between actors and audience during a performance |
| Production | the complete staging of a play |
| Representational | a style of acting where actors pretend the audience is not there |
| Building | the physical theater where performances take place |
| Character | a person portrayed in a play |
| Impersonation | acting by imitating another person |
| Stage management | organizing and supervising rehearsals and performances |
| Mask | a covering worn on the face to represent a character |
| Suspension of disbelief | when the audience accepts the play as real for the moment |
| Crew | people who work backstage to run the show |
| Composing | creating or arranging elements of a performance |
| Performance | the act of presenting a play to an audience |
| Theatron | the seating area where the audience watches the play |
| Designing | creating visual or technical elements of a production |
| Play | a written dramatic work performed by actors |
| Troupe | a group of actors who perform together |
| Directing | guiding actors and shaping the overall production |
| Play script/script | the written text of a play including dialogue and stage directions |
| Playwriting (playwright) | the process of writing a play |
| Antagonist | the character who opposes the protagonist |
| Documentary drama | a play based on real events and factual material |
| Poetics | Aristotle’s study of drama and dramatic structure |
| Catharsis | the emotional release felt by the audience at the end of a tragedy |
| Exposition | background information that introduces the story |
| Pre-play | events that happened before the play begins |
| Characters | the people in a play |
| Farce | a comedy that uses exaggerated situations and physical humor |
| Post-play | events that happen after the play ends |
| Climax | the most intense moment of the plot |
| Genre | a category or type of play |
| Procession | a formal entrance or movement of characters on stage |
| Comedy | a play meant to amuse and often ends happily |
| Hamartia | a tragic flaw that leads to a character’s downfall |
| Protagonist | the main character in a play |
| Conflict | the struggle between opposing forces in a story |
| History play | a play based on historical events or figures |
| Self-recognition | when a character realizes their own truth or mistake |
| Convention | an accepted rule or practice in theater |
| Inciting incident | the event that starts the main conflict |
| Spectacle | visual elements like scenery, costumes, and effects |
| Criticism | the analysis and evaluation of a play |
| Melodrama | a play with exaggerated characters and emotional situations |
| Theme | the main idea or message of a play |
| Curtain call | when actors return to the stage to take bows after the show |
| Music | sound or songs used in a performance |
| Tragedy | a serious play where the protagonist faces downfall |
| Denouement | the final resolution of the plot |
| Plot | the sequence of events in a story |
| Well-Made Play | a tightly structured play with clear plot and climax |
| Action | physical or dramatic movement that drives the story |
| Instrument | the actor’s body and voice used for performance |
| Presence | the ability of an actor to command attention on stage |
| Blocking | planned movements of actors on stage |
| Internal method | acting that focuses on inner emotions and psychology |
| Rehearsal | practice sessions before the performance |
| Denis Diderot | a philosopher who wrote about acting and theater theory |
| Konstantin Stanislavsky | a director who developed a realistic acting system |
| Resonant | a strong, full sound in the voice |
| Discipline | consistent practice and control in acting |
| Lee Strasberg | a teacher who developed Method Acting |
| Tactics | the actions a character uses to achieve a goal |
| External method | acting that begins with physical choices and behavior |
| Masks | face coverings used to represent characters or emotions |
| The Actors Studio | a famous acting school in New York |
| Imagination | the actor’s ability to create believable situations |
| The Method | an acting technique based on emotional truth and memory |
| Virtuosic | showing exceptional acting skill |
| Celebration | a performance created to honor an event or idea |
| Dialogue | conversation between characters |
| Script vs. play | script is the written text, play is the performed event |
| Characterization | the way an actor develops a character |
| Economy | using only necessary words or actions in a play |
| Speakability | how natural dialogue sounds when spoken |
| Flow | the smooth movement of action and dialogue |
| Stageability | how easily a script can be performed on stage |
| Compression | condensing time or events in a play |
| Gravity | seriousness or importance in a story |
| Suzan-Lori Parks | a contemporary American playwright known for innovative plays |
| Conflict | the central struggle in a play |
| Credibility and Intrigue | making the story believable and interesting |
| Pertinence | relevance or importance to the audience |
| Tony Kushner | an American playwright known for Angels in America |
| Devised Theatre | theater created collaboratively by performers |
| Richness | depth and complexity in a script |
| Playwright | a person who writes plays |
| Assistant stage manager | the person who helps the stage manager run the show |
| Atmosphere | the mood created by design and performance |
| Backdrops | large painted cloths used as background scenery |
| Black box set | a simple performance space with minimal scenery |
| Borders | short curtains that hide lights and equipment above the stage |
| Box set | a realistic room with three walls on stage |
| Calling the show | the stage manager giving cues during the performance |
| Chaser lights | lights that turn on and off in sequence |
| Cue sheet | a list of technical cues for a performance |
| Cyclorama | a large curved backdrop used for lighting effects |
| Design team | people responsible for set, costume, lighting, and sound |
| Drapery | stage curtains used as scenery or masking |
| Drops | large hanging pieces of painted scenery |
| Blocking Business | small actions actors perform while moving on stage |
| Callbacks | second auditions where directors choose actors |
| Choreography | planned dance or movement patterns |
| Core concept | the main guiding idea for a production |
| Directorial concept | the director’s interpretation of the play |
| Directors of Antirealism | directors who use nonrealistic staging styles |
| Directors of Realism | directors who focus on lifelike staging |
| Blog | an online journal or commentary |
| Borderlands Theatre | a theater company known for multicultural productions |
| Broadway | the major commercial theater district in New York |
| Community theatre | local theater performed by nonprofessional actors |
| Dramatic criticism | written evaluation and analysis of plays |
| Elevators | platforms used to raise or lower scenery or actors |
| Flats | lightweight panels used to build scenery walls |
| Focus | adjusting stage lights to aim them correctly |
| Follow-spot | a spotlight that follows a performer |
| Gaslight | early stage lighting that used burning gas |
| Gel | colored filter placed over a stage light |
| Gobos | patterns placed in lights to create shapes or textures |
| Light plot | a diagram showing where lights are placed |
| Metaphoric scenery | scenery that suggests ideas instead of realism |
| Postmodern design | experimental and mixed-style stage design |
| Production stage manager | the head stage manager responsible for the show |
| Properties | objects handled by actors on stage |
| Proscenium theatre | a theater with a framed stage opening |
| Dramaturg | a researcher who helps develop and analyze a play |
| Dress rehearsals | rehearsals with full costumes, lights, and sound |
| Edward Gordon Craig | a designer who promoted symbolic stage design |
| Ensemble | a group of performers working together as a unit |
| George II, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen | a director who pioneered realistic staging |
| High concept | a clear, simple idea that defines a production |
| Pacing | the speed and rhythm of a performance |
| Entertainment | performance meant to amuse or engage audiences |
| Regional theatre | professional theaters outside New York |
| Off-Broadway | smaller professional theaters in New York |
| Royal Shakespeare Co. | a famous British company performing Shakespeare |
| Off-off-Broadway | very small experimental theaters in New York |
| Scholarly critics | critics who analyze theater in academic writing |
| Production reviews | evaluations of specific performances |
| Site-specific plays | plays performed in unique real-world locations |
| Professional critic | a person who reviews theater for media |
| Solo performance | a show performed by one actor |
| Realistic scenery | scenery designed to look like real life |
| Renderings | drawings that show what the set or costumes will look like |
| Scrim | a thin fabric that can appear solid or transparent with lighting |
| Selective Realism | mixing realistic and nonrealistic design elements |
| Swatch | a small sample of fabric or color used in design |
| Technical director (TD) | the person who oversees building the set and technical elements |
| Trompe-loil | painting technique that creates the illusion of three dimensions |
| Turntables | rotating stage platforms |
| Verisimilitude | the appearance of truth or realism on stage |
| Visibility | how well the audience can see the stage |
| Wings | areas at the sides of the stage hidden from the audience |
| Preblocking | planning actor movements before rehearsals |
| Previews | early public performances before the official opening |
| Producer | the person who finances and organizes a production |
| Staging | arranging actors and action on stage |
| Tagline | a short phrase used to promote a play |
| Technical rehearsals | rehearsals focused on lights, sound, and stage effects |
| Vsevolod Meyerhold | a Russian director known for physical acting techniques |
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