Theatre glossary

Education Resources

THEATRE VISIT PREPARATION

BRIEF BRIEF Theatre Glossary

Aisle: A passage through the seating Auditorium: The area inside the theatre where the play takes place and the audience sit Backstage: Any part of the stage and theatre which is out of the sight of the audience – dressing rooms, store rooms, technical boxes Blackout: When all the stage lights are turned out Cast: The actors in the play Company: The cast and all other staff associated with a show Cue: A signal given to an actor to speak or move or a command given to technical staff to turn on particular lights or play a sound or stage effect Downstage: The part of the stage nearest to the audience or a movement towards the audience Dress rehearsal: Usually the first time the actors rehearse the play wearing the costumes they will be wearing for the performances Fire Officer: Then person who is responsible for ensuring there are no fire risks on and off stage and looking after the audience during the show. The fire officer works with the ushers – see below Floor cloth: A special floor covering which covers the floor of the stage area. Sometimes colours or patterns are painted onto the floor cloth to help create a different world for the play Front of House: The areas of the theatre outside the auditorium

Education Resources House: The audience e.g. “How full is the house tonight? Or the auditorium: “The house is now open” House Lights: The theatre lighting which is usually faded just before a show begins Props: Short for Properties – Objects that are handled by actors or that are on stage to help to tell the story Script: Describes all the details of the play, where each scene takes place, the lines that narrators and actors learn and speak on stage Set: The scenery which is built on stage which creates the setting for the play. The set might be made in a way so that pieces can be moved or changed for different scenes Stage Manager: The person in charge of making sure things get done in preparation for the show, and also during and after the show Sound Effects: Any sounds that are played as part of the show that is separate from music e.g. explosions, recorded voices, telephone’s ringing etc.

Technician: The person or persons who operate the lighting and sound and any special effects for the show. The technician also has to put up the lights and set up the stage for the show Technical Rehearsal: Most often the first time the play is rehearsed in the auditorium with lights, scenery and sound Usher: The people who show you to your seat and look after the audience during the show, interval and after the show