Basic Theater Terminology Latest
Exam 2024
apron - ANSWER the stage floor between the front edge of the stage and front curtain
arena stage - ANSWER staging in the center of a room with the audience sitting on all sides
aside - ANSWER words spoken by a character to the audience rather than to the other
characters, who do not hear the speech
audition - ANSWER a tryout for a part in a play
backdrop or drop - ANSWER a painted canvas or muslin curtain hung from a batten to form
part of the scenery
backstage - ANSWER the area behind the scenery not visible to the audience
batten - ANSWER a horizontal pipe suspended over the stage
blocking - ANSWER the director's planned movement for characters
build - ANSWER to make costume from scratch
build - ANSWER the increase of vocal intensity toward a climatic point
casting - ANSWER the process of selecting characters
cold reading - ANSWER when an actor auditions for a role without having a script
beforehand
counter-cross - ANSWER moving in the opposite direction and out of the way of another
who is moving across the stage
, Basic Theater Terminology Latest
Exam 2024
counterweight system - ANSWER a system that uses lines, cables, and weights to raise and
lower the battens
cross - ANSWER when an actor moves from one side of the stage to the other
cyclorama - ANSWER a curtain or wall that surrounds the back and sides of the stage
dimmers - ANSWER controls that change the level of lighting intensity
downstage - ANSWER the area of the stage closet to the audience
ellipsoidal reflector spotlight - ANSWER a spotlight with an ellipsoidal reflector, usually
hung from the auditorium ceiling to light downstage acting areas
external traits - ANSWER characteristics that make up a character's physical appearance
flats - ANSWER pieces of canvas stretched over wooden frames or thin pieces of wood;
painted and linked together, they create scenery such as walls and doorways
floodlights - ANSWER lights that illuminate broad areas of the stage
fly space - ANSWER the area above the stage where scenery, drops, and lights are hung
when not in use
fourth wall - ANSWER the imaginary wall through which the audience views the play
Fresnel - ANSWER a spotlight with step-lens that throws an efficient and soft beam, usually
hung from the teaser batten to light upstage areas
full back/front - ANSWER facing completely away from the audience or completely toward
the audience
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