Learn our Language!

 

Audition
Reading, singing or dancing of a specific role for the director to determine casting

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Auditorium
The part of the theater where the audience sits

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Backstage
The entire stage portion of the theater building behind the on-stage area

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Cast Call
The time when all cast member assemble at the theater in preparation for a performance

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Center Stage
The direction on stage toward the center of the stage

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Downstage
The direction on stage toward the audience

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Dress Rehearsal
A run-through of the entire show with all cast members and technical support

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Ensemble
A group of people working together
A group of characters; as opposed to an individual character or lead role

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Holding Space
The backstage area where performers wait between appearances on stage

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House
See "auditorium"

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Leads
The principal roles or actors playing those roles in a show

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Line Leader
A chaperone trained to lead groups of performers from the holding space to the stage wings who makes sure that their group is ready to enter the stage on their cue

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Load-in
Bringing the sets into the theater and installing them for the performance

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Load-out
Taking down the set after the closing performance, loading the truck and possibly unloading the truck at the MYART warehouse. See

"Strike"

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Offstage
All parts of the theater not enclosed by the set

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Onstage
That part of the stage enclosed by the set visible to the audience

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Places
A direction given by the Stage Manager for all cast members to be in their opening positions for the beginning of an act

 

Run Through
An uninterrupted rehearsal of a scene, act or entire play

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Set
The drops, platforms, wagons, etc. that provide the background scenery for an act or scene

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Showcase Troupe
A group of performers who are MYART’s outreach to the community

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Stage Left
The direction to an actor\’s left as he/she stands on stage facing the audience

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Stage Right
The direction to an actor\’s right as he/she stands on-stage facing the audience

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Strike
A direction given by the Stage Manager to change the set for another scene. See "Load out"

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Theater/Theatre
Technically these two words are interchangable. However, it is generally accepted in theatrical circles that "theater" refers to the building or room in which a play is performed or a movie is shown. The word "theatre" refers to a dramatic performance such as a play. When you’re sitting in an auditorium watching a play, you’re in a theater watching theatre

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Upstage
The direction on stage away from the audience

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Wings
Offstage space at the right and left of the acting area