MACT

We all know these terms. Or do we? Here’s a quick basic theatre vocabulary from the Stage Agent blog.

• Act Curtain (Main Curtain, Grand Drape) – The principal curtain used to close off the stage at the proscenium arch. Usually it is a comparatively decorative fabric curtain designed to harmonize with auditorium architecture.
• Actor/Actress – A male or female person who performs a role in a play, work of theatre, or movie.
• Antagonist – A person or a situation that opposes another character’s goals or desires.
• Apron (Forestage) – The portion of the stage space that is downstage of the proscenium.
• Articulation – The clear and precise pronunciation of words. (As my high school director would put it: “You have to e-nun-ci-ate each syl-la-ble.”)
• Asbestos (Fire Curtain) – A flat flameproof curtain hung to prevent the communication of fire to the house.
• Auditorium (House) – The part of the theatre devoted to the audience.
• Backdrop – A large, flat scenic element, usually of canvas or muslin that hangs at the rear of a scene.
• Batten – A long, metal bar on which lights, scenery, or theatrical drapes can be hung.
• Blocking – The planning and working out of the movements of actors on stage.
• Border (Teaser) – A scenic element or masking piece running horizontally the width of the stage to mask overhead space and equipment.
• Catharsis – The purification or purgation of the emotions (such as pity, fear, grief, etc.) affected in a work of tragedy.
• Center stage – The center of the area defined as the stage.
• Character – A personality or role an actor/actress re-creates.
• Characterization – The development and portrayal of a personality through thought, action, dialogue, costuming, and makeup.
• Climax – The point of greatest dramatic tension or transition in a theatrical work.
• Concentration – The ability of the actor/actress to be “in” character – that is, to be like the character s/he is portraying – in dialog, attitude, carriage, gait, etc.
• Cyc (short for Cyclorama) – A curved backdrop used to represent sky or limitless space.
• Downstage – towards the front of the stage, nearer the house area.
• Electric – A special batten rigged to accommodate the hanging of electrical equipment and provided with built-in electrical circuitry.
• Floor Plan (Ground Plan) – A scale diagram (top view) showing the location of all architectural members and scenic elements on the stage.
• Fly Gallery – A platform above the stage used by crew members to load and unload weight from the counterweight side of the fly system.
• Fly Loft (Flies) – Overhead storage space for hanging scenery, machinery, and lights above audience sightlines.
• Leg – A piece of vertical scenery hung at the sides of the stage to mask the wing space.
• Orchestra Pit or Pit – A sunken area immediately in front of the stage to accommodate an orchestra. Often part of the forestage may be a hydraulic lift that converts from stage-level playing space to an adjustable-depth pit.
• Proscenium Arch – The opening in the wall between the stage and the auditorium.
• Stage Left – to the actors left when standing on the stage facing the house
• Stage Right – to the actors right when standing on the stage facing the house
• Teaser (Border) – A horizontal masking border that is farthest downstage at the top of the stage limiting the height of visible stage space.
• Trap – A removable section of stage floor.
• Traveler – a curtain that can be drawn to close off the stage. Located between the Grand curtain and the back wall, often about mid-stage.
• Upstage – towards the back of the stage, away from the house area
• Wing – The offstage space at the left or right sides of the stage usually masked from view of the audience.