DRAMA VOCABULARY PROJECT

DATE: 10/26

FALL 2015

DUE

Objective: To enhance student retention of the first 36 theater terms via a creative
presentation.
Requirement: Choose one of the bulleted items below to complete using 18 words of
your choice from theater terms A-C only. Your submission will be electronic; I do not
need a print-out. The recommended formats are Word, PowerPoint, or Google Docs.
You must present 1/3 of your creations to the class by Monday, October 26, 2015.

Create 18 bio poems.

Create 18 vocabulary cards.
Create 3 monologues (20 lines minimum) that feature 6 vocabulary words
each.

If you choose bio poems, you must follow the following format for each one:
First name
Four traits that describe the person
Relative of . . .
Who feels . . .
Who needs . . .
Who fears . . .
Who would like to see . . .
Resident of . . .
Last name

Additionally, each of your bio poems must have a picture that further illustrates its
meaning.
Heres a bio poem example using the term actor proof:
Actor
User-friendly, uncomplicated, effortless, successful
Relative of fool proof
Who feels confident in the midst of doubt
Who needs an actor to prove itself
Who fears nothing but fear itself
Who would like to see any actor perform
Resident of theater
Proof

If you choose vocabulary cards, you must showcase the following for each one:
(1) the word, (2) its prefix-root-suffix division, (3) the meanings of its roots and
affixes,

(4) a sentence using the word that reveals its meaning, (5) and an image that
reveals its meaning
Heres a vocabulary card example using the term actor proof:
1. Actor Proof
2. (act-or proof)
3. Root word act meaning: behave in the specified way
Suffix or meaning: indicating a person who does something
Root word proof meaning: resistant to; able to withstand something
damaging
4. Had my monologue been actor proof, I would have come in first place as
opposed to last.

5.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
If you choose monologues, you must include a title for each one and have three
very unique characters and/or storylines. Remember the twenty-line minimum.
There is no need to memorize your monologues; however, you must be in character
for the one monologue that you choose to present.
Project Criteria
5 pts. each
18-word count: Did you select 18 words from lists A-C?
Format: Did you adhere to the before-mentioned stipulations?
Presentation: Did you present 1/3 of your project in an audible and animated
manner?
Creativity: Did your images and/or word choices showcase originality?
Conventions: Did you proofread for spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and
grammar?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Common Theater Terms (A)

Auditions: Readings before a director to determine casting of a play.
Call Backs: An additional audition for the final actors being considered.
Similar to semifinals in sports.
Clear the Stage: A direction given to all actors, musicians, and technicians
to leave the stage area prior to the beginning of a play.
Curtain Call/Bows: The carefully choreographed appearance of actors on
stage after the performance
to acknowledge the applause of the audience.
Comp: A complimentary, or free, ticket to a show.
Heads Up: A term of warning used to call attention to overhead danger.
Places: The direction for all actors, musicians, and technicians to go to
their proper position and be ready for the beginning of a play or scene.
Run Through: An uninterrupted rehearsal of a scene, act, or the entire play.

9. Strike: Taking down, changing out, and putting away costumes, props, and
sets after a production.

Technical Elements (B)

10.Costumes: The clothing worn by the actors that helps determine character,
time, theme and mood.
11.Dark: A time when all lights are out or the theater is closed.
12.Fade: A gradual dimming of the stage lighting.
13.Flats: Muslin or plywood covered frames used to build the walls of a stage
setting.
14.Mask: A term meaning to hide backstage details from the audience by
using flats or drapes. Also a facial disguise that is often made out of leather,
plastic or paper mach.
15.Platforms: Wooden units joined together to build the floors for a stage
setting.
16.Props: Small hand held items used by actors to create the period, character
or setting.
17.Stage Manager: Person responsible for the physical set up, actors,
and technical cues of a production as it is performed.
Elements of a Play (C)
18.Act: An organizational division in scripts.
19.Antagonist: This character stands in the way of the protagonists objective
and is often the bad guy.
20.Climax: The major event in a play; the turning point of the story.
21.Conclusion: The final outcome of the play.
22.Conflict: The internal or external struggle that a character faces.
23.Dialogue: Written conversation.
24.Exposition: The explanation of who, what, when, where, why of a play.
25.Falling Action/Denouement: The series of events following the climax.
26.Initial Incident: The first most important event in a play from which the rest
of the play develops.
27.Monologue: A long speech said by a single actor to themselves, the
audience, or to another character.
28.Preliminary Situation: The story of the play as the curtain rises.
29.Protagonist: The play revolves around this character who is often the good
guy but not always.
30.Rising Action: The series of events following the initial incident that builds
towards its climax.
31.Scene: An organizational division in scripts. Often several scenes make up an
ACT.
32.Script: A complete scene or play in a format to be produced by actors and
directors.
33.Setting: Where the play occurs in terms of time and place.
34.Soliloquy: A long speech said by a single actor to themselves or the
audience, but not to another character.
35.Text: The written word.
36.Theme: The plays message aside from its events.