How to Learn Theater Lingo
Call it what you will: Theater talk, lingo or jargon but learn it if you’re working in the theater whether as a performer, a stagehand or an usher. The theater world has a lingo all of its own and it may sound like a foreign language to those not indoctrinated. Take a crash course in theater speak so that you’ll be one step of the others when you go to work in a theater.
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Instructions
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Know that the “apron” is the front of the stage or the part or the stage that is in front of the curtain. This area is considered the forestage.
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Learn that the big curtain on the stage is referred to as the Grande drape. The curtain is often quite elegant and regal looking.
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3
Realize that a “breakaway” is a prop or object or even a costume that breaks apart easily and quickly (for fast costume or scenery changes).
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4
Remember that the “call board” is a bulletin board where notices are posted, including time of rehearsal and various bits of information that the theater employees need to be aware of.
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5
Move quickly if you’re told to “clear the stage.” That means exactly what it sounds like--get off of the stage.
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Know that “arena theater” refers to theater-in-the-round where the audience is seated around the performance area, and not merely in front of it, which is generally the case in a regular theater.
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Remember when you hear the stage manager calling out “Half hour” or “15 minutes” that he’s giving you an “act warning.” He is telling you how much time is left before the show begins.
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8
Learn that to “paper the house” means to give away tickets so that the audience will be full.
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Note that “out front” means the audience.
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10
Be aware that the expression “curtain line” refers to the imaginary line where the curtain would be if it were closed.
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Tips & Warnings
If you’re working in a theater, learning the lingo is a must.
Resources
- Photo Credit SesameStreetPaperTheatreStage
