Theatre Terms: Week #6

Dramatics - Mr. Dawursk

Stealing the Scene:	Taking audience attention away from the proper focal point.
Strike:	Take down set and props after the show's performance.
Tag Line:	Final line of play.
Take Stage:	To capture audience attention legitimately, as opposed to "give" and "share."
Teaser:	Overhead curtain that masks the first border of lights and that regulates the height of the proscenium opening.
Theme:	Basic idea of the play that gives unity to all elements.
The Method:	refers to the stanislavski approach to acting.
Throw Away:	Under emphasize a line or action.
Timing:	To give lines and movement at the exact, effective moment.
Topping:	To exceed the tempo and pitch of the previous speech
Tormentors:	Side curtains or flats that adjust the proscenium width at the extreme down right and left.
Trap:	Opening in stage floor that permits actors to enter from beneath the floor or to the exit beneath it.
Tryouts:	Auditions for parts in a play.
Understudy:	Actor who is able to play a given role in an emergency
Upstage:	Area farthest away from audience, toward the backstage wall.
Wagon:	Rolling platform on which horizon scenery or lights are placed for quick changes.
Walk On:	A part where the actor walks on and off stage without having any lines to say.
Warn:	To notify that a cue is approaching.
Wings:	Off stage to right or left of the acting area.
Work Lights:	White lights used solely for rehearsal. In some theatres the strip lights are used in place of work lights.
X- ray border:	Compartmental lamps that hang on the first border to help blend acting area spots; usually wired for three colors.