My Theatre Vocabulary List for the Classroom

My Theatre Vocabulary List for the Classroom

I apologize.

It never occurred to me that teachers needed a list of vocabulary for their theatre classes.

Theatre is such a major part of my life, I’d forgotten not everyone comes into teaching theatre classes as I did. However, as I think about it, I remember what it’s like getting started teaching a theatre class.

It’s tough to get started.  Although there are colleagues who will advise you, sometimes you need someone sort of “at your finger tips” to help you.  That’s me!

Why teach vocabulary words?

This seems like it would have an obvious answer.  But just as in every other subject students teach, theater students need to know the words and phrases you will use in your classroom.  We can’t expect out students to be good communicators if we don’t help them, yes?

There are many processes students can  use to learn these words.  If you pick up my Word Wall product, I’ve included several different ways to learn the vocabulary words.

A teacher could have a vocabulary per day. Start the day with the word and even demonstrate it.  Honestly, you will be surprised how quickly the students will learn them!

Here are a few vocabulary words your students should be familiar with in order to understand the subject more fully.  

Actor to Choreography:

Actor    A male  person who performs a role in a play, work of theatre, or movie

Actress     A female person who performers in a role in a play, work of theatre, or movie.

Apron    The section of the stage floor which projects towards or into the auditorium. In proscenium theatres, it’s the part of the stage in front of the house tabs, or in front of the proscenium arch, above the orchestra pit

My Theatre Vocabulary List for the Classroom

Cast       A set of actors in a play

Catharsis    A moment of high tragedy at the emotional climax of a play is followed by an emotional cleansing for the characters and the audience

Chanting     A word or phrase repeated for an effect

Character   A person in a novel, play, or movie

Choreography   The art and craft of designing the moves, pace, flow, structure and execution of a piece of dance, or any other piece of rehearsed movement.

Chorus to Ellipsoidal:

Chorus       A group of singers

Down Stage    The stage area toward the audience.

Ellipsoidal     A type of stage light with a strong, well defined beam, and is very versatile.

My Theatre Vocabulary List for the Classroom

Entrance      When the actor comes on the stage

Enunciation   The manner in which an actor utters or pronounces words or sentences.

Pick up my Drama Word Wall.  Everything is provided for you.  Check it out at: Word Wall

Exit to Musical:

Exit       To leave the stage

Finale       The last scene or musical number of a performance

Green Room A room close to the stage for the actors to meet and relax before or after going on stage

Looking for a lesson for tomorrow?  Pick up this one about Lin Manuel Miranda.

My Theatre Vocabulary List for the Classroom

Myth to Strike:

Myth    A traditional story, which may define how a particular civilization came into being, or a tale with a clearly defined moral code designed for social education.

Off Stage  Not taking place on the stage and so not visible to the audience

Soliloquy     Monologue expressing a character’s inner thoughts addressed to the audience

Everything is provided for you.  Check it out at: Word Wall

Spectacle      A visually striking performance or display

Spike      To mark the stage floor with tape or paint where the set pieces should be located

Strike    To remove a piece of scenery from the stage or to take down the production elements, such as the set pieces, stage properties and costumes.

Swing to Wings:

Swing   Usually off-stage, the swing is a multi-talented performer who’s responsible for learning many ensemble tracks so that s/he can “swing on” when someone is ill, injured, or missing the performance for any reason

My Theatre Vocabulary List for the Classroom

Theater       A space where a play or musical is performed.

*There are two ways to spell theater.  Either way is acceptable.  The “er” spelling is an American spelling

Instead of copying all of these words and making printables for your students, there are 64 in this product! Check out this WORD WALL:

Pick up my Drama Word Wall.  Everything is provided for you.  Check it out at: Word Wall

or you can pick up posters (some are FREE) for your classroom, too!  Growth Mindset Posters and Vocabulary

I hope this helps you.  Please feel free to contact me at DhcBaldwin@gmail.com or DeborahBaldwin.net

Want some more help in the classroom? Check out my FREE Guide and ten page lesson Here