I'm re-learning German and teaching a friend when we can. I've been thinking of various ways to come up with ways to translate words.
The other day I thought: let's cover the theater! This is the beginning of the zine. My friend continued the drawing, so I can't show them here (they took it home). But I think I'll redraw my own version and share it here.
Theater almost has it's own vernacular, in that there are a lot of theater terms that you wouldn't know unless you've done theater or taken a class. Here are some...
The house- where the audience sits. A full house is a sold out show.
The pit- where the orchestra is. These are often built into theaters under the sage with a bit of an opening so actors can see the conductor and get cues. In a theater where this is not the case (like a high school auditorium) the pit with set up in front of off to the side of the stage.
Stage left- left side of the stage from the actor's point of view (facing the house)
Stage right- right side of the stage from the actor's point of view
House right- right side from the house's point of view (actor's stage left)
House left- left side of the stage from house's point of view (actor's stage right)
Upstage- the back of the stage. This is referred to as upstage because many stags were built on an incline so audiences could see better.
Downstage- the front of the stage, where the pit and audience is.
The wings- the sides of the stage blocked from the audience by curtains/walls. Where actors wait before going on stage since it gives them a clear view of the stage.
Theater company- Often owns a theater and has a changing cast of actors. A company may do multiple shows at once depending on how big their theater is. Think of it more as the business side of theater.
Theater troupe- A group of actors who do not leave even if a new show is being preformed. They often travel and do not own a theater. They will usually tour doing one show at a time. Think of it more as the personal side of theater since troupes often grow close in the process of doing shows.
"Red leather, yellow leather"- a common tongue twister used to warm up before a practice or show. Different directors/companies have different twisters but this is my personal favorite.
Castle on a Cloud/Popular audition- these two are very, very popular audition songs. Castle on a Cloud (Le mis) mostly being used for younger girls, and Popular (Wicked) being used for older girls. It's seen as a very newbie move to audition with these songs.There are other songs as well but these two are the most well known and used.
Callback- When casting time comes around directors will often call back certain performers and have a second, mini-audition. They will usually sing something from the show, read some lines from the show in character, or perhaps learn another dance. Simply because you don't get a call back does not mean you did not get the lead- callbacks are usually done when there's questioning between which two or three actors would do better in the role.
Cast bonding- What the name implies, this is when a cast takes time to bond away from the show. These usually take place after practice or on the weekends and can be going out to eat or planing games and relays- anything that gives the cast a chance to get to know each other.
Character actor- This could mean they stick to a certain archetype (the shyster, the young actress, ect.) or that they play the outlandish, side character. Character roles aren't usually the lead. Some examples are the Thénardiers from Le Mis, or Big Jule from Guys and Dolls.
Director- The head honcho, makes all the major decisions for the show but mostly blocks scenes.
Blocking- Who and what goes where.
Music director- The head honcho for music. Teaches the music to performers, may also be the conductor for the pit.
Choreographer- Comes up with dances for the show and teaches it the cast.
Dance captain- Chosen by the choreographer, usually a performer with a lot of dancing experience. If another performer missed a dance rehearsal or needs help with a dance, the dance captain is in charge of teaching that performer the dance. There is usually two to four dance captains but it depends on the size of the cast.
Tech/ hell week- The week before the show. This as close to the real thing as the actual show. Actors are all in costume and makeup, lights are up, the pit is there, everything is place. Practices go late into the dead of night and you probably will get about three hours less sleep than you're used too. This is when you realize that you are either ready for the show, or that you still have some work to do. Thus the alternative name: hell week.
Curtain/places- Actors go to their opening spots for the beginning of the act. This can be on, or off stage depending on what they need to do next.
Quick change- A costume change that is usually done in the wings of a stage since it must be done quickly often during a scene change. May involve helpers to remove and put on certain pieces of the costume.
"Thank you five!"- Usually done by a member of the crew, this tells the actors how much time they have before going out on stage. If they yell "ten!" that means ten more minutes to curtain. Actors respond "thank you ten!" so the crew knows that they heard.
Matinee- a day time show, usually in the early afternoon.
"Don't eat in costume"- Costumes are often rented and very expensive. If anything gets on the costume the school/company has to pay for cleaning/fixing the costume. I'm putting this on the list only because, everyone eats in costume. Everyone.
