1.3: Vocabulary- Theatre Terms

A brief list of terms that relate to Improvisation Course work¹:

Ad-lib: When a performer improvises line on-stage. Derived from ad libitum (Latin).

Amphitheater: an open-air theater, with seats rising in curved rows.

Apron: The front area of the stage, nearest the audience; the portion of the stage in front of proscenium arch.

Ask For: Question asked of the audience seeking information that is incorporated into any particular ‘handle’. Example: ‘Give me something that you do in your backyard’.

Aside: A line spoken by an actor/actress directly to the audience, unheard by the other performers on-stage.

Auditorium: The portion of a theater which contains the audience seating.

Avante Garde: Experimental or innovative works or people, derived from the French.

Balcony: An elevated portion of seating in the back of the auditorium.

Curtain Call: At the end of a live performance the cast will come out and do a bow while the audience applauds.

Doubling: When an actor plays more than one character in a production. Most times this is done for economical reasons but it can be that because an actor would like to take on more than one role in the performance.

Handle: Another word for ‘improv game’, term used for an improv game played in front of an audience.

1 This list draws from the "Glossary of theater terms" by Wikipedia which is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

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