Trinity High School
Faculty of Performing Arts
Higher Drama
Vocabulary Booklet
Q. What is this study booklet for?
A. In your National 6 Higher drama course it is essential that you know the vocabulary listed in this booklet.
Q. When will I need to use all of the following vocabulary?
A. You will be assessed using all of this vocabulary in both:
Your practical work e.g. Drama Skills directorial task and in practical exam with visiting assessor
Your writtenexam paper. You must always use the correct drama terminology in both sections of your written exam paper.
Q. How often should I study this booklet?
A. All the time. It will not be easy to remember all of the vocabulary immediately, but it ispossible if you do the following:
Start learning now and don’t leave it to the last minute!!!!
Learn a small amount of words each day e.g. 5 to 10 words
Q. How will my drama teacher help me?
A. Your teacher will give you tests to help you learn all of the vocabulary.
A. Your teacher will expect appropriate use of terminology in formative observations of group discussion and practical work, and in log books and essays.
A. Your teacher will facilitate practical explorations which will reinforce the vocabulary that you need to know.
(N3N4 N5N6)
Accent Way of speaking used in a local area or country
Acting style The way in which you approach the role e.g. method acting,
realistic, abstract
Actor-audience
relationship The use of the fourth wall or presence/ involvement of the
audience
Agitprop Agitprop- a portmanteau derived from the words agitation and propagandais
stage plays, pamphlets, motion pictures and other art forms with an explicitly
political message. The term agitprop gave rise to agitprop theatre, a highly
politicized leftist theatre originated in 1920s Europe and spread to America; the
plays of Bertolt Brecht being a notable example. Russian agitprop theater
was noted for its cardboard characters of perfect virtue and complete evil, and its
coarse ridicule Gradually the term agitprop came to describe any kind of highly
politicized art.
Antagonist An antagonist is a character, group of characters, or institution that
represents the opposition against which the protagonist or
protagonists must contend.
Articulation Clear pronunciation of words
Aside A remark to the audience only
Atmosphere To create atmosphere or mood means that the audience engages in emotional
and intellectual activity when confronting the relationship between design
aspects and visuals (mise-en-scène) and dramatic action at a particular moment in
time.
Audience People watching a drama
Auditorium The area for the audience, generally filled with seats
Avenue Audience seated on two sides of the acting area
Backcloth Canvas cloth which covers the back of the stage: can be
painted
Backstage Non-acting area behind the stage
Balance Keeping an even distribution of weight
Barndoors Adjustable metal flaps attached to the front of a fresnel spotlight for shaping the beam of light
Black comedyA black comedy is a comic work that employs black humor, which, in its most basic definition, is humor that makes light of otherwise serious subject matter.
Blackout The acting area is not lit
Slow fade to the lighting/sound is faded out slowly
Fast fade to the lighting/sound is faded out quickly
Snap to Blackout is achieved instantly
Blocking Deciding where and when actors will move on stage
Body LanguageMessages given by the position or movement of the body
Centre Stage (CS)The centre area of the stage
Centre Stage Left (CSL)The left hand centre side of the acting area as the actor faces
the audience
Centre Stage Right (CSR)The right hand centre side of the acting area as the actor
faces the audience
Character Specific person in a drama
Character CardA character profile and basic characterisation technique
Pivotal character A character who changes the course of the action in the
Climax
ContextThe dramatic, social, political or cultural time period or setting in which the play was originally intended
Dramatic context
Characterisation The process of fully developing a character
Clarity Clearness of the voice
Comedy A drama which is funny/comical
Comedy of mannersThe comedy of manners is an entertainment form which satirizes the manners and affectations of a social class or of multiple classes, often represented by stereotypical stock characters. The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde is an example of this
Conventions Alternative ways of presenting parts of a drama
Comedia dell’arteA theatrical form characterised by improvised dialogue and a cast of colourful stock characters; masks are usually worn
Costume Clothes worn by actors for their character
Creating The process of developing a drama’s content and roles through practical exploration, experimentation and problem solving
Crime DramaA drama based on crime and investigations
Crossfade To change from one lighting cue to another with no blackout in between, or to change from one sound cue to another with no silence in between
Cue A signal for an actor to do or say something, or for a lighting or sound effect to begin or end
Cyclorama The back wall of the stage which can be painted or lit
Dance DramaA drama presented through dance moves
Design ConceptsThe overall ‘look’ of the drama e.g. set, lighting, costume, staging
Dialogue A conversation between two or more characters
DirectingTo block moves, give notes to the actors
Docu-dramaA documentary style drama, including reconstructions of events
Down Stage Centre (DSC) The middle part of the stage nearest the audience
Down Stage Left (DSL)The part of the stage nearest the audience on the left as the actor faces the audience
Down Stage Right (DSR)The part of the stage nearest the audience on the right as the
actor faces the audience
Dramatic IronyActions or remarks whose significance is not realised by all the characters
Dress rehearsal Final rehearsal of a drama with all the theatre arts
Drama media Projections, video footage, sound-scapes
Dramatic features The use of e.g. a symbolic prop, aside, hiding or concealment of a character that can be seen or heard by the audience but not others on stage
Dramatic irony Theironyoccurringwhentheimplicationsofasituation,speech,etc,areunderstoodbytheaudiencebutnotbythecharactersintheplay
Duologues A conversation between two persons
EmotionAdd feeling to the movement
Emphasis The stress on a word or phrase
End on Audience seated at one end – acting area at the other
Enter To come on stage
Epic theatreA theatrical movement arising in the early to mid-20th century from the theories and practice of a number of theatre practitioners, including Erwin Piscator, Vladimir Mayakovsky, Vsevolod Meyerhold and, most famously unified by Bertolt Brecht.
Epic theatre incorporates a mode of acting that utilises what he calls gestus (a combination of physical gestures and "gist" or attitude). The epic form describes both a type of written drama and a methodological approach to the production of plays: "Its qualities of clear description and reporting and its use of choruses and projections as a means of commentary earned it the name 'epic'.
Episodic StructureLots of relatively short scenes are linked together by the same character, place or theme. Scenes could be shuffled around and placed in a different order because there is no overall beginning, middle and end. Commonly used by Brecht.
Evaluate To judge the strengths and weaknesses of a drama
Exit To leave the acting area
Eye ContactLooking directly into someone’s eyes
Facial expressionLook on face which shows emotion
FarceA comedy that aims at entertaining the audience through situations that are highly exaggerated, extravagant and improbable
FlashbackActing out an event in the past
Flashforward Acting out of a future or imagined event
Flats Wooden frames, joined together and covered with canvas, which can be painted
door flat Frames into which a door is built
window flat Frames into which a window is built
Flies Area above the stage from where scenery/actors are flown in on pulleys
Flood Lantern giving a wide spread of light
FluencyNatural, flowing speech
FocusKey moment, scene, character, relationship or event in a drama
Focussing Positioning the lanterns to get the desired lighting
Follow spot Powerful profile used to follow actors around the acting area
Form The way the story is told
Forum TheatreThe audience suggest changes to a drama in order to affect outcomes
Freeze frameThe action is frozen in time
Fresnel SpotLantern giving a soft edged beam of light
Front of House (FOH)Any job in the theatre which involves dealing with the audience
e.g. box office, refreshments, usher
Frozen picture Foundation word for tableau
Gauze See-through material which cannot be seen through when lit from the front, but can be seen through when lit from behind
G-clamp Clamp used to secure lantern to lighting bar or stand
Gel Film placed in front of a lantern to change the colour of the beam
GenreA specific type of drama
Gesture Movement of the hand or arm which communicates a meaning or
emotion
Given CircumstancesThe term given circumstances is applied to the total set of environmental and situational conditions which influence the actions that a character in a drama undertakes. Although a character may make such choices unconsciously, the actor playing the character is aware of such conditions on a conscious level to help him or her deepen his or her understanding of the motivation behind the character's actions.
Giving witnessRole ‘gives witness’ as if present at a scene within the drama
– can be questioned by the group
Gobo Thin metal plate cut out in a pattern and placed in a lantern to project pattern or shape into the acting area
Ground plan Bird’s eye view of the set showing what is on the set, entrances/exits and the position of the audience
Historical dramaDrama set within a specific time period in which the action takes place in the past
Hot-seating Questioning a character in role
ImprovisationThe action is created through devising, it can be spontaneous or rehearsed
Intonation Rising and falling of voice in speech
Key Explanation of symbols on a ground plan
Key SceneA pivotal scene in the drama
Key MomentThe moment when something changes e.g. a shift in mood/ atmosphere or a change in relationships between characters
LanguageThe dialogue used by characters appropriate to the drama & character
LightingUsed to create mood, atmosphere or location in a drama
Make-upWorn by actors for their character
MannerismsA character has a particular way of doing something either in movement or speech e,g, tapping fingers while he/she talks etc
Mantle of the expert
Masking One actor unintentionally preventing another from being seen by the audience
Masks Covering for all, or part, of the face
MelodramaA sensational dramatic piece with exaggerated characters and excitingevents intended to appeal to the emotions
Mime Stylised form of movement which creates an illusion of reality
Mixing desk Control desk for sound effect being used in a drama
MonologueA character speaks their thoughts aloud
Mood & AtmosphereConcern the feelings & emotions aroused by a drama& therefore involve an audience response to what is being seen & heard
Movement Use of the body as a means of communication
Musical Drama which includes song and/or music
Narration Part(s) of the drama are told as a story by a narrator
NaturalisticNatural, everyday movement
Non-naturalisticAway from the norm, for example you would walk in a bizarre way
Order of ScenesThe sequence of scenes in a drama
Pace Speed of speech or movement
PantomimeChristmas theatrical entertainment usually based on a fairy tale
Pause A break in speaking; period of silence
Performance Presentation of a drama to an audience
Performance ConceptsThe acting style etc
Personal prop An item carried or worn by a character e.g. glasses, handbag, wallet
Physical TheatreA genre of theatrical performance that pursues storytelling through primarily physical means.
Pitch How high or low the voice is
Play(scripter or improvised)Another word for a drama
Playwright Person who has written the play
Plot Storyline of the drama
Positioningis where an actor is placed on the acting area relation to other actors
Posture Position of the body – how it is held
Presenting The results of the Creating process, including performance and evaluation
Profile spot Lantern giving a hard-edged beam of light
Promenade Audience follows the action on foot, moving from one location to another
Prompt To supply forgotten lines to an actor
Prompt copy Master copy of the script with all moves and technical effects included
Prompt side Left hand side of the stage where prompter and stage manager sit during performance
Props Short for properties - objects used by an actor
Projection
Proxemics The strength of speaking or singing whereby the voice is used loudly and clearly.
Proscenium Arch Stage within an enclosing arch
Protagonist The main character who enters conflict because of the antagonist
PurposeThe purpose must be established in order to communicate meaning. Purpose can be toentertain, explore and experience, educate, tell a story, explore a theme or issue, communicate a message, inform
Pyrotechnics Stage fireworks
Rake Slope of stage (to allow actors to be seen)
Register Appropriate speech for the person being spoken to, or for the situation
Rehearsal Practice or preparation of a drama
Rehearsed ImprovisationDrama devised/created without a script which is rehearsed before presentation
Rehearsal Activities Games, workshops and activities used to develop characters and
meaning of the drama
Revolving stage Stage which turns in a circle
Rhythm Movements which follow a pattern or beat
Role Part played by an actor / attitude adopted
Role on the wallA 'role on the wall' diagram is usually just an outline of a person with information written on it - either inside the outline, or round the edge. It represents the character you're exploring.
Role-playA means of exploring attitudes and beliefs
Role-reversalRole reversal is one of the psychodrama techniques that demonstrate a protagonist’s intrapersonal conflicts deeply and explicitly on the stage. The protagonist is invited to move out of his own position or role into the significant other’s position and enact that role. Therefore, the auxiliary ego can observe and learn how to play the role. For example, in a parents-children session, a protagonist who is the child reverses role with one of his or her parents. This technique not only helps the protagonist get more insight of a specific role but also helps the director, the auxiliary egos, and the audience learn more about that specific role.
Rostra Blocks or platforms used to create levels
Safety chain Used to attach a lantern to the lighting bar for safety
SatireThe use of humour, irony etc. to expose and criticise people’s stupidity or vices
Scenario Outline of the plot of a drama, including changes in time or place
Scene Section of a drama, set in one place at one time
Scenery Resources used to create the setting where a drama takes place, e.g. backcloth, flats, rostra, furniture.
Script The written words of a drama
Set (1) Scenery used to show where a drama takes place
Set (2) To place a drama in a certain time or place
Set prop An item placed on the set, usually part of it e.g. a lamp, clock, picture
SettingWhere the drama takes place
Sight lines What the audience sees of the stage from where they are sitting
Site specific theatre Site-specific theatre is any type of theatrical production designed to be performed at a unique, specially adapted location other than a standardtheatre
Slow motionMovement performed at a slowed down speed
SoundMusic, sfx etc used in a drama
Soliloquy A single lengthy speech, made when no other characters are on stage
Special effectsUsed to create a mood or atmosphere on stage e.g. strobe light, mirror ball, smoke machine
SpeedThe pace of an action or movement
Split StageWhen two or more scenes are set up on the performance space
Spontaneous
ImprovisationDrama created ‘on the spot’ without a script or plan
Spotlight Beam of light created by a lantern for a person or place on the acting area
Stage directions Written or spoken advice on how to act a drama
Stage whisper A loud whisper intended to be heard by the audience
Staging The position of the acting area relative to the audience
Stage ConfigurationsThe way in which the staging is used e.g. in the round
Stage imagery Visual effects on stage
Stage Proxemics
StanceAttitude or position of the body
Status Importance relative to others
StereotypeAn exaggerated portrayal of a type of person
Stimulus Anything which suggests ideas which can be developed into a drama
Strike To remove all the set from the acting area
Structure Way in which time, place and action are sequenced
StylisedMovement that is exaggerated, artistic, not natural
StyleA particular type of acting/performance
Subtext The underlying meaning of text
Tableau A stage picture, held without movement
Tabs Curtains
Target AudienceA specific group of people at whom a drama is aimed
TensionBuild up of excitement
Textual analysis
Theatre Arts The collective name for lighting, sound, costume, props, make-up and set
Theatre in the round Audience seated all around the acting area
Thought trackingAn aid to characterisation: the character speaks their thoughts out loud
Thought tunnel Character(s) walk past other characters who comment on their situation
Thrust Audience seated on three sides of the acting area
Time Period (Historical)When the drama takes place
/passage of time/
shifts in time
TimingSpeaking, moving or pausing at exactly the right moment
Tone Change of voice to express emotion