Drama Vocabulary
Requirements:
Word, definition, the question (you may shorten
or summarize), and three sentence answer
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: DO SOMETHING
TODAY THAT MAKES OTHERS SMILE
▪ 1. ACT:
▪ V) to perform by representing a
character in a play.
▪ N) The major division of a play
▪ Question:
▪ What does acting mean to you?
▪ Three complete sentences please.
VOCABULARY
2. PROPS:
All articles except costumes and scenery used as
part of a dramatic production. Large objects
like furniture are called stage props. Small
props carried or moved by the actor are called
hand props.
Give two examples of what could be a stage prop
and what could be a hand prop.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: A JOKE IS ONLY A JOKE IF
PEOPLE LAUGH . . .
3. Lines: The lines of a play are its
dialogue. When you get a part in a play,
you have to “memorize your lines.”
Can you think of any famous lines/movie
quotes that you remember from seeing a
movie or play? If not, ask your neighbor
to help you. Why was that line
memorable?
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: BE YOURSELF.
NOBODY ELSE CAN DO THAT FOR YOU.
4. Conflict: The main problem of the play.
A play cannot exist without conflict!
Even comedies have a conflict.
Why do you think a play HAS to have
conflict? What would a play be like
without a conflict?
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: WE CANNOT KNOW WHAT GOOD IS WITHOUT
ALSO KNOWING WHAT IS BAD
.
Vocabulary:
5. Blocking (v): Working out the movements of
actors on stage- includes planning the
entrances, exits, crosses, etc.
Question (Three sentences): Why would it be
important for a writer to include blocking in
his/her script? Why does blocking matter?
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: A GREAT ARTIST IS ONE WHO
OBSERVES THE WORLD AROUND THEM.
Vocabulary:
▪ 6. CHEAT OUT: To turn your body
slightly towards the audience
while conversing with another.
▪ Why would an actor need to do
this in a play and not a movie?
Explain and give an example.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: THE RISK OF TAKING NO RISKS IS
THE WORST RISK OF ALL.
7. Comic Relief: Comedy inserted in an
otherwise heavy/dramatic play. Used to
bring relief to the audience from the
tenseness of the action in a play.
Can you think of an example in either a
play, movie, tv show, or book where
there is comic relief? Either through a
funny character, line, situation.
If you can’t think of an example, give one
from your own life or one you have
observed.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY:
“A DAY WITHOUT SUNSHINE IS LIKE, YOU KNOW,
NIGHT.”
STEVE MARTIN
8. MILK: to milk an audience is to get
all one can out of an audience. In an
extremely funny situation, an actor
can milk his audience through
double-takes, gestures, and other
forms of OVER ACTING. Sometimes
it works, but if done too frequently,
will annoy an audience.
Question: Have you ever “milked” a
situation? At home? In a
classroom? On stage? If not, give
an example in which you have seen
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: IF YOU WOULD CREATE
SOMETHING,
YOU MUST BE SOMETHING.
Vocabulary:
▪ 9. Cue (n): A signal or
movement that tells a
performer to carry out the
next action.
Question (three sentences) Why are cues
important in a play for actors?
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: THE JOB OF AN ARTIST IS
NOT TO SEE THE BLACK AND WHITE OF THE
WORLD, BUT TO SEE THE GREY AND EVERY
SHADE IN BETWEEN.
10. READER’S THEATER: An oral interpretation of
drama by a group of performers standing or
sitting on stage. Action or physical movement
is merely suggested and is visualized in the
minds of the audience. Scenery and costumes
are not used.
Question: Why would the actor’s CHARACTER
VOICE be very important in a production of
reader’s theater? Give an example.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: THEATER IS THE ONLY MEDIUM IN WHICH
THE AUDIENCES’ REACTIONS CHANGE/AFFECT THE
PERFORMANCE.
11. Characterization: A representation of a
character’s qualities. Shown through
dialogue, gesture, movement, voice,
costume, and makeup.
Question (3 sentences): Think about a
character you’ve seen in movie or play.
What made his/her character stand out to
you and WHY?
THOUGHT OF THE DAY:: ACTING IS BEHAVING
TRUTHFULLY UNDER IMAGINARY
CIRCUMSTANCES. ~ SANFORD MEISNER
12. Actor: a person on stage, who by
prior performance and training has
been selected by a director to act a
role in a production.
Question (Three sentences): Who is
your favorite actor and WHY?
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: WHEN YOU LIVE IN THE
MOMENT, THERE IS NO FUTURE OR PAST, ONLY
RIGHT NOW.
▪ 13. Casting: The selection of actors
for a performance
▪ A “casting director” selects actors to
audition for the main director of the
show. Why do you think directors
need the help of a casting director?
Why is a casting director important?
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: CONFLICT IS WHAT CREATES DRAMA. THE MORE
CONFLICT ACTORS FIND, THE MORE INTERESTING THE PERFORMANCE.
▪ 14. FREEZE: Actors freeze in position,
without movement, which usually marks a
break in action or a monologue, the closing
of a scene, or the end of a play.
▪ Do actors need to do this in a movie? Why
or why not? Explain.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: IF YOU REALLY DO WANT TO BE AN
ACTOR WHO CAN SATISFY HIMSELF AND HIS AUDIENCE, YOU
NEED TO BE VULNERABLE.
15. Get the Hook!: An old term
meaning to get the actor off the
stage. At one time, a hook on
the end of a long pole was used
to literally pull the bad
performer in to the wings.
Why would we NEVER use this
term in a drama class? What
effect would it have on
someone?
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: TALK TO SOMEONE
TODAY THAT YOU’VE NEVER SPOKEN TO
BEFORE. YOU MIGHT MAKE A NEW FRIEND!
16. Stage Areas: There are nine
major areas of the stage:
downstage L, C, R, center L,
C, R, and upstage L, C, R
Why is it important to have
different areas of the stage?
How does this help the actors
and the directors in a play?