THEATRE GLOSSARY
Act: To represent, perform, interpret, communicate a character other than oneself; a major division of a play.
Actor: A person who performs a role or represents a character in a play, using vocal as well as physical techniques to
bring the character to life.
Blackout: Stage goes to complete black; the blackout lighting cue is often used for a startling effect at the end of a scene.
Blocking: The actor’s basic stage positioning given to the actor by the director or used in self-direction.
Blocking Symbols:
X= Cross E= Entrance EX= Exit C= Center SR= Stage Right
SL= Stage Left DC= Down Center DSR= Down Stage Right
DSL= Down Stage Left UC= Up Center USR= Up Stage
Right USL= Up Stage Left RC= Right Center USRC= Up
Stage Right Center
USLC= Up Stage Left Center LC= Left Center DSCR=
Down Stage Right Center DSLC= Down Stage Left Center
Characterization: The art of developing the character (e.g., his/her life, emotions, choices, motivations, objectives).
Choices: The decisions of the actor, director, designer or playwright regarding how a character will be interpreted in a given production or work.
Abstract Realism: Theater works and performances that are grounded in realism but have non realistic elements and
may not follow conventional plot and narrative structures. They often incorporate a nontraditional use of language and
abstract theater devices. The works of Beckett, Pirandello and Ionesco may be defined as abstract realism.
Arena Stage: Also called theater-in- the round and central staging. There is seating on all sides of the stage.