Theatrical terminology can be very confusing to people who are new to drama ministry. Being on stage and listening to a director speak lingo you can barely understand can be intimidating, and nothing slows down the pace of a rehearsal more than blank stares in response to undecipherable stage directions. So, for all of you "seasoned professionals" out there, let's remember to break it down every now and then, and make sure your drama team members are on the same page you are on. So, how well have you taught your cast members these basic theatre terms?

 

PARTS OF THE STAGE:

Downstage (DS) is closest to the audience (congregation), and is the opposite of upstage (US). Stage right (SR) is on the actor's right (as he faces the audience) and stage left (SL) is on his left. Center stage (CS) is, of course, in the center of the stage. The wings are the areas just off stage right and stage left. Backstage is any area behind and/ or offstage.

 

BLOCKING:

Blocking is when the director "blocks" out the movements the actors will make during the course of the scene. When you "block scene one," all of the actors in that scene should be ready, with script in hand, to write the director's instructions as they move through the scene. If the director tells an actor to CROSS DOWNSTAGE LEFT while delivering a certain line, the actor should write "XDSL" in his script next to that line. If the director tells the actor to EXIT UPSTAGE RIGHT, the actor writes "USR" next to the preprinted "exit" stage direction in the script. Crossing to another spot on the stage simply means walking there. It does not imply that you should move in any special manner, and especially does not imply crossing one foot over another or any other silly movement. If the director tells you to run or hop on one foot or walk backwards while crossing, do it! But if he doesn't give any specific direction, just walk.

 

ALWAYS CROSS DOWNSTAGE:

When you pass by another actor while crossing, you should walk in front (DS) of him. Don't try to be nice and go behind him. It may feel awkward to go in front of the other actor but it looks VERY awkward if you pass in back of him. If the director doesn't state a preference, always cross DS of other actors. By the way, if you've ever heard of one actor "upstaging" another, that usually means he was stealing the scene at another actor's expense. This term actually means that an actor who is in the most upstage position is often more noticed by the audience that actors in downstage positions. So, if you are crossing in front of a fellow actor, don't think you're "upstaging" him. He's actually upstaging you.

 

BREAKING THE FOURTH WALL:

Most traditional theatres have proscenium stages (e.g., Radio City Music Hall), and the sets usually have real or imaginary walls on three sides. Tangible sets have physical doors or openings through which actors enter and exit the stage. Abstract sets have implied entryways. And now for the fourth wall: Yes, I know I said there were three walls, but there is always an imaginary wall between the audience and the actors, and that is called the fourth wall. If you leave the stage through the imaginary fourth wall, you are usually committing a theatrical booboo of epic proportions and only God will forgive you for this faux pas. So, unless the script calls for "breaking the fourth wall," or you are specifically directed to do so, don't! By the way, exiting down the center aisle towards the rear of the house (in most churches, this would be the Narthex) is usually not considered breaking the fourth wall, so don't worry if you're directed to do that.

 

These terms are very basic but important for every church thespian to know. It's a good idea to go over these and other terms you regularly use at the first rehearsal of every new production. This will help ensure everyone is on the same page, and will probably help prevent some of those blank stares when you're in the middle of blocking rehearsals.