Drama Padlet - Theater Vocab by Coleman Thomas

1. Actor

colemant11777 — 2025-09-03 15:59:13 UTC

A person or individual chosen to act as a character in a work of film, theatre or other.

2. Drama

colemant11777 — 2025-09-03 16:03:01 UTC

Multiple definitions, for our context drama refers to a theatre play with emotion and "drama"

3. Ensemble

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A group of actors who perform as a whole rather than individually, done to make a play more meaningful.

4. Characters

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The personality or "part" that an actor plays in a play.

5. Ad Lib

colemant11777 — 2025-09-03 16:08:52 UTC

Done or performed without previous preparation, essentially a form of improv.

6. Acting

colemant11777 — 2025-09-10 15:41:11 UTC

Occupying the role of a character, usually in a play or other form of entertainment.

Articulation

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Clearly speaking or pronouncing words.

8. Aside

colemant11777 — 2025-09-10 15:44:32 UTC

An observation or remark made by a character to the audience that is not heard by the other characters.

7. Articulation

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Clear and understandable pronunciation of words.

9. Blocking

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The stage movements each character makes during the play or scene.

10. Break Character

colemant11777 — 2025-09-10 15:48:16 UTC

When an actor loses concentration while performing and is not in character.

11. Act(Noun)

colemant11777 — 2025-09-17 15:39:34 UTC

To do something duh, as a noun used to describe a section of a play or something.

12. Cheating out

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Facing your body towards the audience.

13. Cue

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The sign to do something.

14. Dialogue

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Words spoken by an actor.

15. Cross

colemant11777 — 2025-09-17 15:48:05 UTC

Crossing the stage.

16. Stage left

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Left side of stage from perspective of performer

17. Stage Right

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Right side of stage from performer perspective

18. Cold Reading

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Reading script for the first time ever

19. Off Book

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Rehearsing without a script because you know your lines

20. On Book

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Rehearsing WITH a script because you don't know your lines

21. Stage Business

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Activities actors do on stage

22. Entrance

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The moment an actor gets on stage

23. Exit

colemant11777 — 2025-10-01 15:44:50 UTC

The point or place where an actor leaves the stage IN CHARACTER

24. Director

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In charge of all aspects of production

25. Dress Rehearsal

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A practice performance shortly before actual performance where every detail is worked out.

26. Dry Tech

henrym13013 — 2025-10-10 15:43:19 UTC

A technical rehearsal during which the actors are not present. Usually a stage manager call cues to test lights, sounds, props, ect.

27. Motivation

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What drives the behavior of a character.

28. Objective

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What the character is trying to achieve.

29. Blackout

henrym13013 — 2025-10-10 15:54:38 UTC

When all of the stage lights go out at once.

30. Obstacle

henrym13013 — 2025-10-10 16:00:53 UTC

Something that stands in the way of a character getting what they want. It can be either physical, emotional, or situational.

31. Audition

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An actor trying out for a role by either performing a short piece or reading a script in front of a director or casting agent.

32. Call Back

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When an actor is invited to come back for a second audition

33. Casting

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Selecting which actors will play characteristics

34. Denouement

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The solution to the conflict in a play/the wrapping up of events

35. Exposition

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Information about what has happened before the action of the play begins; the set up

36. Warm Up

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Physical vocal or mental activity used to prepare an actor for a performance.

37. Understudy

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An actor who is versed (skilled) in another actors part, ready to step in if needed.

38. Strike

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Taking everything off the set, usually after the final performance.

39. Subtext

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Underlying meaning or thoughts an actor has that are not explicitly stated during a performance.

40. Stage Manager

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The person backstage in charge of everything technical on stage. Technical liaison backstage during the play.

41. Costumes

henrym13013 — 2025-10-29 15:37:41 UTC

The clothing worn by the actors who are performing characters in a show.

42. Holding for Laughs

henrym13013 — 2025-10-29 15:40:25 UTC

Waiting for audience laughter to die down before continuing the play.

43. House Lights

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Lights used in the auditorium used before the show, after and during intermission.

44. One Act

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A short play with a beginning, middle and end- usually has no intermission.

45. Places

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Warning for actors to assume their position before a play or scene begins.

46. Protagonist

colemant11777 — 2025-11-03 19:33:02 UTC

The principle character around whom the story revolves

47. Antagonist

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A character who exists to work or go against the main character.

48. Plot

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Events of a play, also the order of events

49. Soliloquy

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Type of solo speech, exposing the characters thoughts without breaking the fourth wall. an actor USUALLY alone, speaks their inner thoughts.

50. Tableau

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Stage picture created by actors posing motionless.

51. Costume Plot

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A chart that tracks the clothing worn by each character in each scene

52. Character Analysis

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Examining a character's traits to inform costume choices.

53. Costume Symbolism

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Using costume elements to convey a deeper meaning for the character or play.

54. Modified Authenticity

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Creating a costume that gives the impression of historical accuracy without being an exact replica.

55. Silhouette

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The outline/shape of a body (with or without a costume).

56. Rate

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How fast or slow an actor speaks.

57. Projection

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How soft or loud one speaks.

58. Clarity

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How clear one speaks, not mumbled or lazy.

59. Pitch

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Actors vocal range.

60. Stance

colemant11777 — 2025-12-03 16:47:18 UTC

Performers should stand up straight.

61. The Magic If

colemant11777 — 2026-02-04 16:31:14 UTC

Asking "How would I react if I were in this situation" to stimulate natural, personal responses.

62. Objectives and Super Objectives

colemant11777 — 2026-02-04 16:33:23 UTC

Defining what the character wants in a scene (objective) and their overarching goal for the entire play (super objective).

63. Given Circumstances

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Thoroughly understanding the world of the play, including the time, location, and previous events.

64. Subtext:

colemant11777 — 2026-02-04 16:46:49 UTC

The hidden, unspoken meaning behind lines, which drives the action.

65. Physical Actions and Relaxation

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Using specific physical movements to trigger emotional responses, supported by a relaxed, focused state.

66. Circles of Attention/Public Solitude

colemant11777 — 2026-02-04 16:51:17 UTC

Intense concentration on the immediate, internal, or scene-partnered world, ignoring the audience.