Getting to know Theater

Why do we use the term "downstage" to mean the front edge of the performance space?

• Because the stage is lower than the audience.

• Because "upstage" means to steal the spotlight

• Because most stages used to be tilted, or raked, down toward the audience.

• So that actors can move up away from the audience.

True or False:

The couch is positioned Stage Left

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True, because Stage Left is the Audience Right

True or False:

The window with curtains is placed downstage

• True

• False

Answer explanation

It is UPstage, which is the back area of the stage.

The audience area of a performance space is called...

• Backstage/Offstage
• Upstage
• The House

• Flats

What is the person called who writes the words to the songs in a musical?

• Composer

• Lyricist

• Author

• Director

When a director tells you where to go and what to do in a scene, it is called______

• directing

• bossing

• leading

• blocking

"Cheating out" is a theater term which means...

• When a character cheats on their Significant Other

• Turning one's body toward the audience

• You are performing with a competing theater after starting with a different one

• When an actor says someone else's lines

If your director tells you to "cross", what does that mean?

• Insult another character.

• Move in an "x" pattern

• Make the sign of the cross

• To move toward or away from another actor or object

If you know all your lines in a play, you are ready to be what?

• off-book

• The star of the show

• Given a costume

• The understudy

The main character in a story is called what?

• The villain

• The best actor

• the protagonist

• teacher's pet