Cennarium Backstage - Brasil Autumn 2016 | Page 27
Theatre Glossary: Learning the Right Theatre Words By Fay Al-Janabi
Here are the basic and not-so-basic theater words every professional knows. Add these to your vocabulary and start enjoying more "dramatic" conversations! today!
M Manet When one or more actors remain onstage while others exit.
Mask To block another actor; can also refer to as covering of the face.
Masking Curtains used to frame the stage and block offstage areas from audience view.
Method acting A style in which actors try to genuinely experience or feel the emotions of a character, first pioneered by Konstantin Stanislavski.
Monologue When one person performs a set of lines during a performance, either to himself or to another character.
Motivation The goals or desires of a character that usually begins the progression of a story in theatre.
Mug The act of exaggerating facial expressions so as to attract the attention of the audience.
O Objective A goal or desire that comes to a character during a scene, usually temporary.
Obstacle Something which occurs in opposition to a character's intention, creating a sense of conflict and drama.
OTT Refers to overacting or exaggerated acting; stands for "Over the Top."
Orchestra The seating located in the lowest part of the theatre.
Orchestra pit A sunken area in front of the stage where musicians perform.
Omnes Refers to the whole cast.
Outcome The result of a character achieving their goal or objective.
P Packed house When all the seating in a theatre is full or at capacity; a full house.
Parascenium Used in Greek theatre to refer to the walls on the sides of the stage.
Part A role or character.
Parterre The part of the theatre behind the orchestra pit, usually underneath the balconies.
Preferred reading A preferred interpretation of a script or play, usually decided by the author.
Promenade When the actors perform in the same space as the audience, with no divide between the stage area and audience section. Generally the audience are allowed to wander through the area and interact with the performance. Prop Objects used on stage as part of a performance; short for property.
Proscenium Refers to proscenium arch.
Proscenium arch The arch that frames the area between the stage and audience in some theatres.
Protagonist The main character of a play or performance. achieving
Pseudomonologue The performance of just half a dialogue in which the actor is not addressing the audience directly. Usually used with performing just questions or answers.