Drama: Theater Vocabulary: Stage Directions and Roles
Learning stage places, actor jobs, and theater words
Drama: Theater Vocabulary: Stage Directions and Roles
Learning stage places, actor jobs, and theater words
Drama - Grade 2-3
- 1
The part of the stage closest to the audience is called downstage. If an actor walks closer to the audience, which direction is the actor moving?
Think about where the audience is sitting.
The actor is moving downstage because downstage means the part of the stage closest to the audience. - 2
The part of the stage farthest from the audience is called upstage. If an actor walks away from the audience, which direction is the actor moving?
The actor is moving upstage because upstage means the part of the stage farthest from the audience. - 3
In theater, stage left means the actor's left side when the actor faces the audience. If an actor is facing the audience, should the actor move to their own left or the audience's left to go stage left?
Stage left and stage right are named for the actor, not the audience.
The actor should move to their own left because stage left is based on the actor's point of view. - 4
In theater, stage right means the actor's right side when the actor faces the audience. Write a sentence that uses the words stage right correctly.
A correct sentence could be, The actor walked to stage right to stand beside the chair. - 5
A director helps the actors know where to move, how to say their lines, and how to tell the story. What is one job of a director?
Think about the person who helps everyone practice the play.
One job of a director is to guide the actors during rehearsals so the play tells the story clearly. - 6
An actor is a person who plays a character in a play. What does an actor do on stage?
An actor plays a character on stage by speaking lines, moving, and showing feelings. - 7
A costume is clothing an actor wears to help show who the character is. Circle the item that is most likely a costume: a backpack, a crown for a king, or a lunchbox. Explain your choice.
A costume helps the audience understand the character.
A crown for a king is most likely a costume because it helps show that the actor is playing a king. - 8
A prop is an object an actor uses during a play. Name one prop an actor might use in a scene at a pretend store.
An actor might use a shopping bag as a prop in a scene at a pretend store. - 9
A script is the written words and actions for a play. What can actors find in a script?
A script is like the plan for the play.
Actors can find their lines, character names, and stage directions in a script. - 10
Look at this stage direction: Maya enters from stage left and sits on a bench downstage. In your own words, tell what Maya should do.
Maya should come onto the stage from the actor's left side and sit on a bench near the audience.