Theater Terms Review

When the character has a valid reason for the action

• blocking

• motivated

• stealing

Something that is implied but not spoken

• subtext

• places

• countercross

What the director says that signals to the actors to get in position

• "cross!"

• "cut!"

• "places!"

A play that has withstood the test of time

• Modern

• Classical

• Offbook

What the director says to stop the action

• "cut!"

• "stop!"

• "take 5"

Something that keeps the character from their goal

• obstacle

• characterization

• cheating

The process by which the actor seeks to make their role unique and entertaining

• characterization

• upstaging

• cheating

To block another actor from being seen by the audience

• cheating

• upstaging

• countercross

During a long scene, the director may say this to allow the actor more freedom of movement

• "cut!"

• "from the top"

• "take the stage"

A non-fictional character

• classical

• historical

• fantastical