Theater Lingo 101: Terms Every New Performer Should Know
Stepping into the world of theater means entering a realm with its own special language. You might hear directors say, “Cheat out to the audience,” or stage managers call, “Places, everyone!” Understanding common theater terminology will help young performers navigate rehearsals and shows with confidence. Here’s a quick guide to some essential theater terms:
“Break a Leg” – A classic theater saying that confuses many newcomers! Telling someone to “break a leg” is actually a superstitious way to wish performers good luck . It originated because saying “good luck” directly was considered bad luck in the theater. One explanation of the phrase ties it to the “leg line” on stage – an actor who crossed the leg line (the side curtain line) and stepped on stage would get paid, so saying “break a leg” meant hoping the performer gets on stage and has a successful show . When someone tells you “break a leg,” a simple smile and “thank you” is the right response!
Upstage & Downstage – These terms refer to directions on the stage. Downstage means the part of the stage closest to the audience, while upstage means the part furthest from the audience (toward the back wall). Why “up” and “down”? In old theaters, stages were often raked (angled like a ramp) – higher in the back and lower in front – so walking toward the audience felt like going “down” a hill . Important action often happens downstage (front and center) so the audience can see it clearly. To “upstage” someone in acting means to stand upstage of another actor, forcing them to turn their back to the audience – effectively stealing the scene. It’s generally something actors avoid doing unintentionally, but in storytelling terms, an actor who draws attention at another’s expense is said to be upstaging. Remember: downstage = towards the audience, upstage = away from the audience .
Stage Left & Stage Right – These are directions from the performer’s perspective on stage, not the audience’s. Stage left means the actor’s left (when facing the audience), and stage right means the actor’s right . This can initially confuse parents watching rehearsals because from the audience viewpoint it’s reversed (what the audience sees on their left is stage right to the actor). A helpful trick: imagine yourself standing on the stage facing the seats; whatever is on your left-hand side is stage left. You’ll also hear “house left” or “house right,” which are from the audience’s perspective (house left is the audience’s left side). But generally, directors use stage left/right from the actor’s viewpoint when giving blocking directions.
Offstage & Wings – Offstage refers to any area out of the audience’s view. The wings are the narrow areas to the left and right sides of the stage, just beyond the curtains, where performers stand right before making an entrance. If a director says “exit stage right and wait in the wings,” it means leave the visible stage on the right side and stand just offstage, ready for your next cue. Offstage can also refer to actions in the script that happen out of view (for example, a crash sound is heard offstage).
Blocking – This is a key term in rehearsals. Blocking refers to the planned movement and positioning of actors on stage during a scene . When a director “blocks” a scene, they decide where and when performers move (e.g., “Juliet crosses downstage left to meet Romeo”). It’s essentially choreography for actors’ motions. Good blocking helps tell the story clearly and makes the stage picture interesting for the audience. Actors write down their blocking in their scripts so they can remember it. During early rehearsals you might hear, “Let’s run that scene again, focusing on the blocking.”
Props – Short for “properties,” props are objects that actors handle or use on stage . This can be anything from a book, a sword, a teacup, to a bunch of balloons – if an actor picks it up or interacts with it (and it’s not part of the set or their costume), it’s a prop. Props help make the world of the play believable. In youth theater, you’ll often have a props team or volunteers making sure all the props (big and small) are ready and in the right place backstage. Actors are usually responsible for remembering to carry small props on and off as needed. Treat props with care – they are as much a part of the show as the lines and songs!
Cue – A cue is a prompt that triggers an action. There are lighting and sound cues (which tell the tech crew when to change lights or play a sound effect), and line cues (the line or action that signals an actor to speak or move). For example, if one character says, “I wish I had a sword,” that might be a cue for another actor to enter with a sword prop. Staying alert to your cues is critical – it keeps the show running smoothly. Stage managers often call cues over a headset to coordinate scene changes and technical elements.
House – In theater terms, “the house” means the audience or the auditorium where the audience sits. So house lights are the lights that illuminate the audience area (typically dimmed at showtime). “Full house” means a sold-out show. You might hear an announcement like, “House is open,” which means audience members are being allowed into the seating area.
These are just a few of the many fun terms in the theater universe (we haven’t even covered “monologue vs. soliloquy” or what a “cold read” is!). But by knowing these basics, you’ll better understand directions during rehearsals and feel more like a theater insider. Theatre folk love their lingo – it’s part of the tradition and magic that gets passed down. So the next time someone tells you to “break a leg” as you head downstage right to grab your prop sword, you’ll confidently give a thumbs-up – you’ve got this, and now you speak theater!
