Basics of Theater

Basics of Theatre

What is a script?

A play script is a piece of writing written for the stage. A play script is organized the following way:

A play script will include a list of characters (at the very beginning).
It may be divided into acts which are then divided into scenes.
Each scene will have a description of the setting at the start and then the characters' dialogue.
Dialogue is set out with the character's name on the left, then a colon then the dialogue (without speech marks).
Stage directions for the actors are written every now and again in italics and brackets.

You can see an example of a play script below:

Parts of the Theatre:

Theatre Vocabulary

Theatre: The building where acting takes place
Deck: The stage area
Proscenium: The boundary between the stage and the audience in a conventional theatre; it appears to form an arch over the stage from the audience's point of view
Apron: The stage area in front of the proscenium arch
Wings: The "backstage" or parts of a stage off to the left and right not seen by the audience
Tabs: Curtains separating the stage from the audience
Orchestra Pit: Where the musicians play, usually directly in front of the stage, often sunken below the seating sections
House: The seating section of the theatre, the people in the theatre and/or the audience
Greenroom: The area backstage where actors rest before, during and after a show

Rehearsal Vocabulary:

Rehearsal: Practice of the play
Script: The text of the dialogue and stage directions of a play
Blocking: An actor's movement around a set
Stage Direction: Any instruction for the actors in the script of a play
Stage Left: The side of the stage on the left when facing the audience
Stage Right: The side of the stage on the right when facing the audience
Downstage: The front of the stage; in the direction of the audience
Upstage: Towards the back of the stage; the half of the stage that is farthest from the audience
Crossing: Moving from one point on the stage to another
Exit: A stage direction which specifies which person goes off stage
Beat: The smallest division of action in a play or a very short pause
Read Through: A reading of the entire play or act without blocking
Monologue: An extended set of lines spoken by one person either directly addressing the audience or another character
Motivation: A character's individual desires or goals which propel them into action; the driving force of an inciting event that starts a story's progression
Cheating: The practice of turning one's body towards the audience even while keeping the head facing one's scene partner
Prompt: To give an actor his/her next line when he/she has forgotten it
Ad Libbing: Acting without having planned what to do or say
Fourth Wall: An imaginary surface at the edge of the stage through which the audience watches a performance (If a character speaks directly to the audience or walks on/off the stage, this is known as “Breaking the Fourth Wall”)

Additional Terminology:

Cast: The actors in a play
Understudy: An actor familiar with another actor's role so that he or she can substitute in an emergency
Call Time: The time at which each individual actor is expected to be at the theater
Run or Run Through: A practice of an entire play or act
Intermission: A break between acts
Load In: The process of setting up the theatre for the show
Technical Rehearsal or Tech: A rehearsal primarily for the purpose of practicing the technical elements of a play, such as lights and sound
Dress Rehearsal or Dress: A practice of the play with all actors wearing full costumes
Sold Out: When the number of tickets sold for a performance is equal to or greater than the number of available seats
Standing Room Only (SRO): Admittance to a performance after all of the seats are filled which requires people to stand to watch
Break a Leg: A saying for actors before they go out on stage, meaning "good luck"
Curtain Call: when the actors come to the front of the stage to bow at the end of a performance
Standing Ovation: When the audience stands and claps at the end of a performance, a higher form of praise than normal applause
Strike: To remove a set piece or from the stage ("Strike that chair") -- To "strike the show" is to disassemble the entirety of the set, return all equipment to storage and leave the venue as it was before the show was set up.