Theater Terms

Front

Blocking

Back

Determining the basic movements of the actors during a play; sometimes provided by the playwright, sometimes developed by actors, but usually supplied by the director.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

Front

Acts

Back

The Chapters in a Drama/Play.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

Front

Ad-lib

Back

To invent dialogue not in the script; also known as improvisation.

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.10

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

Front

Center Stage

Back

The middle section of a stage.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5B

CCSS.L.5.5B

Front

Characterization

Back

The way that a character is portrayed.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.W.6.2D

CCSS.W.7.2D

Front

Stage Directions

Back

Notes added to the script of a play, generally in italics or parentheses that provide the line readings, blocking, business, etc.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

Front

Improvisation

Back

The act of creating dialogue or actions spontaneously without a script.

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.10

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

Front

Monologue

Back

A long speech by one actor in a play.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

Front

Dialogue

Back

The conversation between two or more characters in a play.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

Front

Props

Back

Tools that are used to bring a scene to life.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C