Specific Terms of Theater

the techniques used by actors to simulate fight scenes in theater, film, and television productions in a safe and believable manner

a 19th-century stage illusion technique that uses a partially reflective glass angled at 45 degrees to create ghostly images of people or objects

a form of theatrical makeup used to portray offensive and racist caricatures of black people, which has a history of causing harm and perpetuating negative stereotypes

a group of actors and other professionals who work together to perform plays and other theatrical productions

a style of acting where the performer acknowledges and directly addresses the audience, often breaking the fourth wall

a literary or dramatic character representing the ordinary individual, often placed in extraordinary circumstances and often used to evoke empathy in the audience

the lifeless body of a human being

The detectives found the corpse in the abandoned warehouse.

a drama, show, etc. that achieves success

an imaginary barrier that separates the mise en scene and the fictional characters from the audience, especially in a theatrical performance

Breaking the fourth wall, the character addressed the audience directly, inviting them into the inner workings of the play and blurring the line between fiction and reality.

a preliminary performance to assess the potential of a performer

She attended the try-out for the school play hoping to land a lead role.

a basic version of something, often created to outline or test ideas before the final version

The architect presented a rough sketch of the new building before starting detailed plans.

a play that is written in order to be staged only by two actors

to imitate something in a humorous or exaggerated manner

The comedian burlesqued the president's speech, eliciting laughter from the audience.

the activity of acting in or producing a play in a theater as a hobby and not a profession

The community theater group put on a production of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at the local high school auditorium.

the time after a play or show has just ended when the performers come to the stage to receive the applause of the audience

As the final notes of the musical faded away, the audience erupted into applause, signaling the start of the eagerly anticipated curtain call.

the time when the curtain is raised and a show or play begins

the final practice of a play or live show, in which the same costumes and lights are used as the live performance

a method used in theater production that indicates a change of the setting

Scene-shifting during the play was seamless, thanks to the efficient stage crew who worked swiftly to rearrange props and scenery between acts.

the skill or experience in writing or performing a play in theater

a loud whisper uttered by an actor on the stage, meant to be heard by the audience but not by other characters

He delivered a sly stage whisper to the crowd.

a brief loss of consciousness, often caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure or shock

She experienced a blackout after standing in the heat for too long.

a theatrical technique in which the performer uses body and hand gestures in order to suggest an idea or tell something without using words

With only his hands and face, the mime communicated the entire scene.

a set of acting techniques used to create realistic portrayals of characters on stage by emphasizing emotional authenticity and psychological realism

a performance style characterized by a critical, political, and distancing approach that aims to create an objective and analytical perspective on social issues

the use of masks in theater performance and training, in which the actor uses the mask to explore different characters, emotions, and archetypes

a well-known street in New York City where many theaters are located, which is considered the center of theater industry in the US

Broadway is synonymous with the pinnacle of theatrical excellence, attracting audiences from around the world to its renowned theaters.

a theater where the price of a meal is added to the ticket

small theaters outside Broadway street that have a limited budget and are engaged in experimentation

small-scale and experimental productions that are typically performed in non-traditional theater spaces

theater productions that are staged in smaller, independent theaters located outside of London's West End theater district

professional theater productions that are performed outside of major metropolitan areas, often in smaller cities or towns

a type of theater where a company performs several different productions using a shared pool of actors over a period of time, often rotating the shows in and out of the schedule

a theatrical production that often satirizes recent events and consists of jokes, songs, dances, etc.

a type of theater that stages productions during the summer season, often employing a resident company of actors who perform multiple shows over the course of several weeks or months

a type of comic theatrical production combining pantomime, dance, singing, etc. popular in the 1800s and early 1900s

The vaudeville show opened with a lively musical number, followed by a series of comedy skits performed by a troupe of traveling actors.

a type of theatrical performance that is presented in a workshop setting, typically with minimal sets, costumes, and props

to enjoy yourself and do things for fun, like children

A group of children were playing on the playground.

the characters that participate in a play, novel, or narrative

a way that enables someone to get out of a room, building, or a vehicle of large capacity

In case of an emergency, please locate the nearest exit and follow the evacuation signs.

to move something like a window or door into a position that people, things, etc. can pass through or use

He opens the window to let in some fresh air.