Glossary
(Frequent Used
Terms)
These are common stage and
production terms that are helpful to be familiar with.
APRON: The edge of a stage in front of the main
curtain but behind the orchestra pit.
AUDITION: The process by which performers
read from a script or perform a short prepared piece for
the audition committee to help them decide who is best
for a role.
BACKDROP: A piece of material, often painted to resemble
a location, which hangs at the back of the acting area.
BACKSTAGE: The offstage area in which actors cannot
be seen by the audience.
BLOCKING: The action actors perform onstage.
"BREAK A LEG": What you say to an actor about to go
onstage. Never say, "Good Luck!" It's a
superstition passed down for hundreds of years.
Telling your fellow actors to "break a leg" is supposed
to prevent it from happening and make sure that
everything run smoothly.
CALL: The time actors are required to be present
for a rehearsal or performance.
CAST PARTY: A gathering of the cast & families,
following strike, to celebrate the closing of the
production.
CENTER-STAGE: The area directly in the middle of the
stage.
CHOREOGRAPHER: A person who creates and teaches
dance.
COMPANY: All people working on a play or musical.
COSTUME DESIGNER: One who designs, creates and/or
assembles the costumes or clothes worn in the play.
CREW: The people backstage who are involved in the
production of a show.
CUE: A line or action which triggers a line or
action.
CURTAIN: A drape that either comes together from the
sides or down from above.
CURTAIN CALL: The moment after the last moment of
the play or musical, when the cast bows to their audience
to show their respect.
CYCLORAMA (CYC): A seamless backdrop at the back of
the stage lit to appear different colors. Very expensive
- do not touch!
DIRECTOR: One who serves as the creative authority
on a production. Works with the actors and the
creative team to make his/her artistic vision a reality.
DOWNSTAGE: The area onstage closest to the
audience.
DRESS REHEARSAL: The final rehearsals before the
first performance when the complete costume & make-up
are worn.
FLAT: A wooden frame with material (usually muslin)
stretched across it, painted to create stage settings.
FLY: The area above a stage where scenery and
lights can be hung and lowered onto the stage with the
help o a pulley system.
GEL: A transparent colored piece of plastic used to
change the color of stage lights.
HOUSE: The area of a theatre where the audience
sits.
INTERMISSION: A 10 - 15 minute break in the
performance separating the show's acts.
LEG: A long black curtain that hangs on the side of
the stage to hide the offstage area.
LIBRETTO: The complete text of a musical, including
book and lyrics.
LIGHTING DESIGNER: One who supervises the lighting
that will be used in a theatrical production.
LOAD IN: Bringing all the set pieces, props,
lighting & sound equipment to the theater and begin
set up.
MUSIC DIRECTOR: One who is in charge of making all
musical decisions in a theatrical production. Also
responsible for teaching the music to the actors and
conducting the orchestra.
NITTY GRITTY DAY (eTc term): A specified work day
for all parents to help with assigned tasks (i.e. set
construction/painting, costumes, poster distribution,
flyer bundling, mailings) while the actors are
rehearsing.
OFF-BOOK: Having all of one's lines and staging
memorized.
ONE-LINER (eTc term): A message to an actor which
appears in the back of the production program.
ORCHESTRA PIT: The area in front of a stage where
the orchestra sits and plays. Don't fall in here!
PRODUCER: One who assembles all of the people who
work on a production staff.
PROPS: Objects used by an actor onstage (including
hand-held objects and furniture).
READ-THROUGH: A rehearsal (usually the first one)
in which the company reads the script aloud to become
familiar with the work.
REHEARSAL: The period when the actors learn and
practice the play or musical prior to the performance.
SCENE: The section of a play usually taking place
at one time in one setting.
SCORE: The songs and instrumental music of a musical, in
printed or recorded form.
SCRIM: A special gauzelike curtain that is
transparent when lit from behind, yet appears solid when
lit in the front.
SET: The background and environment created to
represent the location in which the scene occurs.
SET DESIGNER: One who designs the physical
environment of a play or musical.
SING THROUGH: Usually during "tech week" when the
actors sing all the musical pieces with the orchestra for
the first time.
STAGE CREW: Another term for "running crew" or
"stage hand"; the people who run the backstage and change
the set and raise the curtain.
STAGE LEFT: The area onstage to the actor's left as
he or she faces the audience.
STAGE MANAGER: The person responsible for assisting
the director, working with the actors, "calling" the show
and for making sure each performance runs smoothly.
STAGE RIGHT: The area onstage to the actor's right
as he or she faces the audience.
STRIKE: To dismantle and store the set after the
final performance.
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: One who is ultimately
responsible for all technical elements (set, lighting,
sound) in a production.
TECHNICAL "TECH" REHEARSAL: A run through of the
production specifically for the purpose of setting
lights, sound and scene changes.
UPSTAGE: The acting area farthest away from the
audience.
UPSTAGING: Pulling focus away from another actor while
the actor is speaking or performing an action.
VOCAL BOOK, VOCAL SCORE: The printed score of a
musical, consisting only of vocal parts.
WINGS: The offstage areas to the immediate right or
left of the acting area.
WORKSHOPS: (at eTc) Small assigned groups which rotate
among the 3 production areas: vocal, dance & acting,
to work on and learn new skills.