Theater Terminology

Front

Cue

Back

A stage signal

Front

Down or Downstage

Back

Front of stage closer to audience

Front

Up or Upstage

Back

Back of stage further from the audience

Front

Cover

Back

To obstruct the view of the audience; use of ad-lib to cover an unwanted event in the show

Front

Stage Business

Back

The use of hand props, stage props, costume props, or other actors and even parts of the set

Front

Feeding

Back

Feeding lines or actions in a way that gets the audience to laugh

Front

C

Back

The symbol used to identify the center of the stage

Front

Ad-lib

Back

To improvise stage business or conversation

Front

Scene-stealing

Back

Pulling the attention from the main character to yourself

Front

Tempo

Back

The speed at which the action of the play is going