A

Action: The instruction given by the director to begin the scene.

Aside: A line spoken by an actor to the audience, unheard by other characters on stage.

Ad-lib: Spontaneous lines or dialogue created by the actor, often unscripted.

Agent: A professional who represents an actor and helps secure auditions and roles.

B

Backdrop: The painted or designed background used on a set or stage.

Blocking: The precise movement and positioning of actors on stage or set.

Breakdown: A detailed description of a character or scene in a casting call.

Breath Control: The management of breathing to improve voice projection and emotional delivery.

C

Call Time: The scheduled time an actor must arrive on set or stage.

Callback: A second audition where the casting team takes a closer look at selected actors.

Cheating Out: Angling the body toward the audience while performing.

Cold Read: Performing a script with little or no rehearsal.

Cue: A signal for an actor to begin their line or action.

D

Dialogue: The spoken lines between characters in a script.

Dialect: A specific way of speaking, often tied to a region or culture.

Director: The person responsible for overseeing the creative aspects of a production.

Downstage: The area of the stage closest to the audience.

E

Ensemble: A group of actors working together to create a scene or performance.

Emote: Expressing emotion through facial expressions, body language, or voice.

Exterior Shot: A scene filmed outdoors.

F

Fourth Wall: The imaginary barrier between the audience and the actors.

Foreground: The part of the set or scene closest to the camera or audience.

Frame: The boundaries of the shot as determined by the camera.

G

Greenroom: A lounge area where actors wait before going on stage or set.

Gesture: A specific movement that conveys character or emotion.

Goal: The character’s objective or motivation in a scene.

H

Headshot: A professional photograph of an actor used for casting purposes.

Hit Your Mark: Standing on the designated spot for a scene or camera shot.

Hook: A memorable or engaging element in a performance.

I

Improv: Unscripted acting, where lines and actions are created on the spot.

Interior Shot: A scene filmed indoors.

Intonation: The rise and fall of pitch in an actor’s voice.

L

Line Reading: Delivering a line in a specific way as directed.

Location: The setting where a scene is filmed or performed.

Logline: A brief summary of a script or project.

M

Monologue: A long speech delivered by a single character.

Motivation: The reason behind a character’s actions or words.

Mark: A designated spot for an actor to stand during a scene.

O

Off Book: Performing without relying on a script.

On Location: Filming in a real-world setting rather than on a set.

Open Call: An audition open to anyone, typically for a specific project.

P

Projection: The strength and clarity of an actor’s voice.

Prop: An object used by actors during a performance.

Punchline: The climactic or humorous line in a dialogue.

R

Rehearsal: Practice sessions to prepare for a performance.

Resume: A document detailing an actor’s experience, training, and skills.

Role: A character in a production.

S

Script: The written text of a play, film, or performance.

Slate: An introduction given by the actor before an audition (e.g., stating their name and role they’re auditioning for).

Stage Directions: Instructions in a script regarding movement, emotion, or setting.

Stand-In: A person who substitutes for an actor during rehearsals or camera setup.

T

Table Read: A read-through of the script by the cast before rehearsals or filming.

Take: A single recorded performance of a scene.

Tone: The overall mood or feeling of a performance or production.

W

Wardrobe: The costumes worn by actors during a performance.

Wings: The sides of the stage, out of the audience’s view.

Workshopping: Developing and refining a play or performance through rehearsal and feedback.

U

Understudy: An actor who prepares to take over a role in case the primary actor is unavailable.

Upstage: The area of the stage farthest from the audience.

Uta Hagen Technique: A popular acting method focusing on emotional memory and truthfulness.

V

Voiceover (VO): Narration or dialogue performed off-camera.

Vocal Range: The range of pitches an actor’s voice can produce.

Villain: A character whose role opposes the protagonist.