actor: a person who performs in a play.
backdrop: a large cloth (or paper) that is painted and hung as
scenery.
blackout: when all lights are simultaneously turned off to indicate the end of a scene.
blocking: a plan that indicates where an actor stands and moves.
Break a leg!: a theatre expression meaning "Good luck!".
cast: the actors in a play.
center stage: the middle portion of the stage floor.
character: a person in a story that an actor plays.
choreographer: a person who plans and teaches movements – like dances and fight sequences – to actors.
costume director: a person who designs and makes the costumes actors wear.
cue: a signal that tells an actor when to speak or move
curtain call: actors gather on stage at the end of a performance to receive applause.
director: the person who interprets the play and provides direction to the actors and designers.
downstage: the area of the stage that is closest to the
audience.
dress rehearsal: the last rehearsal before a play opens with actors in full costume.
foley artist: a person who creates sounds for film or theatre using a variety of objects to enhance the sound effects.
giving focus: an actor on stage does not move or talk so that audience attention is drawn to another actor who is moving or talking.
improvisation: a drama that is not scripted, but is made up as you go.
lighting designer: a person who plans what lights are used and when they are used to help create a setting.
makeup designer: a person who makes actors faces resemble the characters they are playing.
mime: an actor who performs without words.
monologue: a scene when only one actor speaks.
offstage: the area of the stage that is not seen by an audience.
onstage: the area of a stage where actors perform.
pantomime: a story performed without words.
producer: the person who arranges the financing of a play.
prop: short for properties. Any object used by an actor.
proscenium: a decorative frame that arches around the stage''s acting area.
script: a play in written form.
set: the acting area including props and scenery.
set designer: the person who designs the scenery for a play.
sound designer: the person who selects the music and sounds used in a play.
stage crew: people who set up scenery and change it between scenes of a play.
stage directions: instructions given to actors to tell them when and where to move on stage.
stage left: the area of stage that is on the actor''s left.
stage manager: the person who makes sure a performance runs as planned.
stage right: the area of stage that is on the actor''s right.
taking focus: the actor speaks confidently and makes intentional movements in a way that gets the audience''s attention.
upstage: the back of the stage or the area that is the farthest away from the audience.