Term | Definition |
audition | a tryout for a position in a play |
closed audition | a tryout for only professional union actors, or, in high school, for only certan students |
prepared audition | a tryout using rehearsed, memorized material |
improvisational audition | a tryout in which scenes must be ad-libbed around an assigned character and situation |
cold reading audtition | a tryout in which unfamiliar material is read |
callback | a second round audition; only those who are considered for parts are present |
casting | choosing of the actors for a play by the director |
curtain call | the appearance of a play's entire cast onstage in response to applause from the audience |
director | the person in charge of all aspects of production |
floor plan/groundplan | on overhead diagram of the stage that helps the director plan onstage actions and movements |
house manager | the person responsible for considering the needs of the audience |
information found in prompt book | color coded sound and light cues |
"line" | the word the actor calls to the prompter when dialogue is forgotten used only during rehearsal |
off book | theatre jargon for rehearsing without scripts |
producer | the person who finds investors, hires the director, and helps establish a budget for a production |
program | a pamphlet that contains the names of cast and crew members |
prompt book | contains the playscript marked with cues and blocking notes |
prompter | the person who feeds lines to the actors |
prop crew | responisble for all hand properties that are used in the play; these items must be made or found by the members of the crew |
prop crew head | the person in charge of acquiring funiture and props |
prop table | the place where items actors carry onstage are kept |
publicity manager | the person who promotes the production |
reading rehearsal | the first rehearsal; sets the tone for the production |
blocking rehearsal | the rehearsal in which movements/stage business is set |
working rehearsal | the rehearsal in which words and action are combinned |
polishing rehearsal | the rehearsal in which all parts of the play are brought together so that flaws can be worked out |
tech rehearsal | the rehearsal in which lighting, scenery, and props are used to ensure that everything goes smoothly |
dress rehearsal | the final uninterrupted rehearsal performed with costumes and props |
scenic designer | the person who works the sets and lighting to create the overall atmosphere of a play |
stage hand/running crew | a person who moves scenery |
technical director | the person who executes the design of the scenic designer; responsible for building sets, painting drops, creating costumes, and hanging lights |
warn cue | found in the promptbook, this advises of an upcoming entrance, sound effect, or lighting change |
light crew | this crew is responsible for the lighting of the plays. This includes focusing lights and learning to run the light board |
sound crew | this crew is responsible for all sound effects. one responsibility is making the sound effects CD |
costume crew | this crew is responsible for finding or making costumes for cast members, costumes must also be organized for the run of the show. Sewing is a good skill to have but not a necessity |
set construction | responsible for the actual building of the set or scenery for the play. Power tools, hammers, saws and other building tools are used by this crew |
set dressing | this crew is responsible for the decoration of the set. painting, decorating, or finding any furniture, pictures, etc. needed for the final touches are done by this crew |
publicity crew | responsible for all advertising and promotion for the play. this includes design work for posters, publicity letters, banners, and announcements |
house crew | this crew is responsible for the running of the auditorium where the audience sits, ushers, concessions and lobby displays. They also handle ticket sales |
make up crew | responsible for the desgin of make up and hairstyles for the actors. during dress rehearsals and the run of the show members of this crew will apply or assist in the application of make up |
assistant directors | work closely with the director of the show. responsible for doing whatever the director needs to be done. includes running and organiazing auditions and assisting with rehearsals and preformances. must be available for all rehearsals and performances |
stage manager | one of the most important members of a company. responsible for everything that happens backstage during the run of the play |