Theatre Terms: What are they talking about?

If you are new to live theatre or already a seasoned fan, there might be terms out there you don't know or aren't completely sure about. Let us help you out.

You can enjoy a play without learning the terms but when your student comes home with terms like "blocking", "cold read", and "tech week" — how do you know what they mean?

It doesn't have to be a foreign language to you anymore. A few terms have become more common in Theatre than our everyday experiences.

First of all, we need to explain the spelling. In American English, we use 'er' in words like 'theater', while in British English, it's 're' as in 'theatre'. Looking into the word's history, when Noah Webster was compiling his collection of words that we still use today, known as the Webster Dictionary, he decided the spelling of many words. Webster wanted to create a simple language for the new American nation and move a little further away from the ways of Britain.

But to take it a step further, in America, we refer to where you watch a movie as a theater, while where you see live actors performing is the theater. Making it more formal and distinct when referring to a play.

Now, see how many of these common THEATRE terms you recognize and already know the meaning of:

AUDITION: when actors try to earn the role (or specific character) in a play, they will individually perform in front of the Director during the audition. This is when the Director will review all potential actors for their suitability and interpretation of the character. The Director may have in mind a style or type of person they expect for the role, so it is the actor's job to convince the Director they are "right" for the role.

A typical Black Box Theatre

BLACK BOX THEATRE: when actors try to earn the role (or specific character) in a play, they will individually perform in front of the Director during the audition. This is when the Director will review all potential actors for their suitability and interpretation of the character. The Director may have in mind a style or type of person they expect for the role, so it is the actor's job to convince the Director they are "right" for the role..

BLOCKING: This is when the moves and positions of the actors are decided and recorded for the performance. The blocking will let the actors know where to stand, move to, and stop during the show and let the lighting crew know where to plan for spotlights and other things that change throughout the show. This is how actors can perform the same play on different days or times and present an almost identical show each time. Blocking can also be important to keep actors from running into each other or being in the wrong place when another actor enters the stage.

CALL: This is the time when performers are expected to be on location and ready for the rehearsal or performance. This may be for the actors, the technicians, or everyone involved in the performance.

CALLBACKS: Following the auditions for a new play, it is common for the Director to want to see some of the actors again. This is usually done when the Director is narrowing down the options for a character and wants to see two or more actors again before the final decision of the cast is made. This becomes an additional audition, but only for those performers who are called back, and it is not open to new people.

COLD READING: This is when the actors gather and read through the script for the first time, having not seen the script in advance. This technique can be used to assess an actor's skills in interpreting, understanding, and bringing a character to life on the spot.

CUE: This is helpful to the actors to know when something in the play should happen. It may be a specific line given by a character, sound, or music played during a scene, lighting changes, or a spotlight being used. The Cue can let an actor know when to enter the stage, say a specific line, move to a different location on the stage, or even leave when their part in the scene is completed.

CURTAIN CALL: At the end of the play, this is the indication to the audience that it is time to show your appreciation by cheering and clapping for the actors. The stage may go dark for a few minutes, or the curtain may close and then open again. At this point, the actors will return to the stage to bow and receive applause. Once all the actors have returned to the stage, they will also applaud and point to the technical crew, which provided the lighting and sound for the show.

DIRECTOR: This person is responsible for a production's overall artistic vision and ensuring the cast and crew follow the direction to produce a great performance. The Director will provide feedback and instruction to the actors during the rehearsal process and sometimes even change the instructions if there is a way to improve the scene after seeing it the first time.

DRESS REHEARSAL: During a rehearsal, usually a day or two before the first public performance of a play, the cast and crew treat the rehearsal as if it were the actual performance. Everyone is in full costume, and the play runs from beginning to end without any pauses or direction. This is a chance for everyone to see how things will work before the audience arrives, and it is a last chance to see where adjustments would improve the show. This is as close to the actual event as possible, so everyone knows what to expect.

GREEN ROOM: The true meaning behind this term has been lost over time, but it is still used in theatres and other performance venues. It is simply the room actors can wait or relax in before they go on stage (or between their time on stage). Rarely green in any way, perhaps the original rooms in early Theatre were painted green or had green cloth on the walls to be relaxing to performers. There is also an idea that in medieval theatres, the stage was called 'the green,' so a room or space the actors wait in was called the green room. Today, the green room is a place for actors to prepare and relax before and after their performances, and it often serves as a social space where actors can interact and build camaraderie.

IMPROV: This term refers to acting or dialogue that is not part of the script and is created spontaneously. It can be intentional, often used in comedy shows to create a unique experience each time. In a scripted play, an actor may use improv when a line is forgotten or missed, adding a spontaneous element to the performance. This spontaneity not only keeps the scene moving but also adds an exciting and unpredictable element to the performance, making each show a one-of-a-kind experience.

MONOLOGUE: A speech given by one character to the others on stage or addressing the audience. This is usually when emotions and inner thoughts are revealed to explain the character and situation more. On the other hand, a soliloquy is a monologue where the characters are alone on stage and speaking their thoughts aloud to themselves, revealing their inner world to the audience.

MUSICAL: This play uses music, song, and dialogue to tell the story. There, dancing and scenes can be started or stopped by a song. The music can be provided by a band or orchestra positioned near the stage or can be recorded and handled by the sound team. During a musical, actors will begin singing, which seems normal for others to join. Musicals require the performers to not only act but sing and dance throughout the show.

OFF BOOK: This term is used in rehearsals when the script has been memorized and no longer needs to be performed. A Director may encourage the actors to learn their lines by planning off-book rehearsals of specific scenes.

REHEARSAL: This is how everyone learns their part in the show. Actors practice their lines and positions on the stage while the lighting technicians practice spotlights and lighting cues. Sound technicians will also be working on the special effect sounds needed by the actors and cues to begin and end music used for effect. Rehearsals for a school play can happen during class or after school as required and may run late into the evening to ensure everyone is prepared. This is also the time that sets will be completed and put together for the actors to use, and costumes will begin to come together.

STAGE MANAGER: Is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the production from rehearsals to performances. They manage the stage crew, coordinate technical elements, and ensure the show runs smoothly and safely. This person works closely with the Director.

STANDING OVATION: Do you ever wonder why some people stand up at the end of the show while clapping? Do you think you should, too? A standing ovation is a form of intense appreciation from the audience for the performance they have enjoyed. It is considered a high honor, a way to publicly and enthusiastically acknowledge a performance or event that has impressed the audience. So next time you see a play, if you think a performer was especially good or you were moved by the performance, stand while clapping to show them your reaction to their work.

STRIKE: This may not be what you expect! When the last performance is completed and everything must be removed from the stage, the Strike is called. Sometimes, a theatre group will strike the stage immediately after the previous show, and sometimes, they plan a "strike party" to take things down on a specific day and time. All that hard work creating a set must be taken down, removed, and put away so the stage is a clean slate for the next performance.

TECH: This term includes scenery, lighting, costumes, audio, and other technical aspects of the performance needed for the show. Specific people will be assigned Tech jobs before the play begins. This is also the term for the people who work behind the scenes of the show in all technical areas to make the show a success. Rarely seen, the technicians work as hard as the actors to create the theatre magic.

TECH WEEK: The week before or the week of the first performance of a show. This is a time of intense practice and final preparation. It usually means last night for everyone involved.

UNDERSTUDY: An actor who can step in and replace an assigned actor if required. This usually happens during illness, injury, or an expected reason for an actor not to perform.

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So now you know a lot more about the terms used in Theatre! Next time you find yourself at a play, share a few terms with your friends during intermission or before the show starts. But always remember, talking during the show is considered rude and distracting to others!

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