Theatre Terms to Know

Blocking The arrangement and movement of actors on stage Director is responsible for creating the blocking Actors are responsible for learning and doing

Levels Platforms or body positions of various heights Creates interesting staging Kneeling, stage boxes, sitting, etc.

Cover When an actor’s position on stage obstructs the audience’s view of a person or object Try to avoid this

Entrance When an actor goes on stage

Exit When an actor leaves the stage

Tableau Stage pictures created by actors posing motionless

Open Up To turn more fully to the audience Cheat out

Closed Turn To turn away from audience

Profile To face completely left or right

Cold Read Looking over and speaking a script for the very first time

Off Book Rehearsing without a script, from memory No prompts

Production Elements Technical contributions to a theatre performance including lights, sound, costuming, etc.

Devised Drama Creation of original material by the ensemble