Theater Vocabulary for Kids

Enjoy this list of our favorite theater vocabulary!

Useful in all theater education settings and selected to serve the needs of student and educator.

Actor's Neutral- an actor stands tall with hands by their side and their feet shoulder-width apart, ready to act.
Adlib- to improvise or make up parts of dialogue.
Articulation- speaking clearly so that every word is understandable.
Audience Position- a cue for the ensemble to sit in a designated place ready to watch a performance or class work.
Blocking- the actor's movement from place to place and action on stage.
Characterization- the development and portrayal of a character by creating a different voice, body and personality.
Cue line- the line of dialogue before yours.
Diagonals- the imaginary line actors stand on so they can be seen by everyone in the audience.
Going up on Lines- forgetting a line of dialogue during a rehearsal or performance.
Mark- place a set piece at a specific place on stage.
Pacing- the timing or speed at which the action of the play moves.
Projection- speaking loudly so your voice can be heard in the back of the theater space.
Sight Lines- the places backstage where actors become visible to the audience.
Stealing Focus- acting or speaking to catch the attention of the audience when another actor is speaking.
Strike- removing a piece of set from the stage.