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.

Front

Acts

Back

The Chapters in a Drama/Play.

Front

Ad-lib

Back

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

Front

Center Stage

Back

The middle section of a stage.

Front

Characterization

Back

The way that a character is portrayed.

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.

Front

Improvisation

Back

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

Front

Monologue

Back

A long speech by one actor in a play.

Front

Dialogue

Back

The conversation between two or more characters in a play.

Front

Props

Back

Tools that are used to bring a scene to life.