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Theatre Vocabulary Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
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Theatre Vocabulary Trivia

Theatre Vocabulary Trivia Quizzes

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Most professions and/or hobbies have a specialised language, and the theatre is no exception. What is a Green Room? Why do they tell each other to break a leg before the start of a performance?
20 Theatre Vocabulary quizzes and 215 Theatre Vocabulary trivia questions.
1.
  In And Around your Local Theater    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
If you've ever been part of the wonderful world of live performance, these terms about the people and places that make theater a reality should be familiar to you. Break a leg!
Average, 10 Qns, OddballJunior, Mar 03 24
Average
OddballJunior
Mar 03 24
279 plays
2.
  Label the Stage    
Label Quiz
 10 Qns
This is a stage from a community theatre. I have placed ten numbers on it. The ten is on both sides to show it is all the way across. Look where the number is and the clue given and tell me what part I have labeled in this number.
Average, 10 Qns, Ilona_Ritter, Dec 04 23
Average
Ilona_Ritter gold member
Dec 04 23
284 plays
3.
  What Do I Do?   great trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
I've suddenly been put in charge of managing a theater, and have no idea who does what! Can you help me figure out what role pairs up with each person?
Very Easy, 10 Qns, nautilator, Mar 15 17
Very Easy
nautilator
1579 plays
4.
The Theater Company
  The Theater Company   popular trivia quiz  
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
A theater company is defined as "the cast and crew of a show and any other staff who work on the show". Can you identify these members of a theater company?
Easier, 10 Qns, ponycargirl, Aug 14 15
Easier
ponycargirl editor
859 plays
5.
Theater Stuff Nomenclature
  Theater Stuff Nomenclature    
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Lots of hobbies and leisure activities have their own special language. The performing arts are no different. Can you decipher some of the unique theater language from the clues?
Easier, 10 Qns, coachpauly, Aug 17 22
Easier
coachpauly
Aug 17 22
705 plays
6.
  The Ultimate Exit Stage Left Quiz   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here are ten questions relating to different areas of the theatrical arts. Break a leg!
Easier, 10 Qns, Creedy, Sep 10 19
Easier
Creedy gold member
Sep 10 19
1079 plays
7.
  Theater Speak   best quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Are you interested in joining a theater production? Then you must know that theater people speak their own unique language! These terms will be important to learn in order to understand basic direction.
Easier, 10 Qns, ponycargirl, Jan 29 17
Easier
ponycargirl editor
744 plays
8.
  Musical Theater Speak   top quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Are you interested in joining a musical theater production? Then you must know that theater people speak their own unique language! These terms will be important to learn in order to understand basic musical theater singing direction.
Easier, 10 Qns, ponycargirl, Feb 10 17
Easier
ponycargirl editor
617 plays
9.
Words Every Theatre Person Should Know
  Words Every Theatre Person Should Know    
Photo Quiz
 10 Qns
Like theatre? Do you know these theatrical terms?
Easier, 10 Qns, Ilona_Ritter, Aug 05 15
Easier
Ilona_Ritter gold member
723 plays
10.
  Break a Leg!   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
To wish an actor "good luck," one says "Break a leg" on the theory that the opposite will happen on stage. How much do you know about the strange and technical vocabulary of the theatre?
Average, 15 Qns, FatherSteve, Jan 07 14
Average
FatherSteve gold member
1138 plays
trivia question Quick Question
To ensure all sound, lighting, and scenery cues are executed correctly, the show is "called". In a UK theatre, who does this?

From Quiz "Theatre - Technical Jargon and a Dash of Folklore"




11.
  Henry Visits The Theater   great trivia quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
What a treat! While the Earl of Warwick is in London to see the king, we will be viewing a theatrical production! Want to come along? See if you can match the term regarding medieval theater with its correct definition.
Easier, 10 Qns, ponycargirl, Jan 11 18
Easier
ponycargirl editor
Jan 11 18
415 plays
12.
  Ancient Greek Theater Speak   best quiz  
Match Quiz
 10 Qns
Before you think you don't know much about ancient Greek theater, look at the terms! Some of them form similar words that are part of our vocabulary today!
Average, 10 Qns, ponycargirl, Feb 03 17
Average
ponycargirl editor
426 plays
13.
  Theatrical Dos and Don'ts    
Classification Quiz
 10 Qns
Theatrical tradition decrees that some things should always be said or done, while others are forbidden. Can you identify which of these belongs in which category?
Average, 10 Qns, looney_tunes, Mar 05 22
Average
looney_tunes editor
Mar 05 22
250 plays
14.
  Theatrical Terms   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is about terms in current use in the theatre.
Tough, 10 Qns, monkeycouzin, Sep 11 22
Tough
monkeycouzin
Sep 11 22
3544 plays
15.
  Exit Stage Left Multiple Choice Quiz   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Welcome to my quiz on expressions used in the theatre, used for cast directions as well as theatre terminology.
Easier, 10 Qns, mcsurfie, Mar 21 24
Easier
mcsurfie
Mar 21 24
552 plays
16.
  Theatre - Technical Jargon and a Dash of Folklore   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Many technical terms and beliefs exist within the world of the theatre. Some are obvious, some less so. How many do you know, or can you guess? Note: this quiz is based on UK working practice.
Tough, 15 Qns, simjazzbeer, Feb 17 14
Tough
simjazzbeer
1664 plays
17.
  Theatre - Jargon and Folklore. Act Two   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
If you enjoyed my first quiz on this subject, then retake your seats for the second act. Note: this quiz is based on UK working practice.
Average, 15 Qns, Simjazzbeer, Mar 31 10
Average
Simjazzbeer
583 plays
18.
  Theatrical Lingo   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The jargon of those in theatre is often foreign to mere mortals like us. These include references to performance stagecraft and awards. Here are a few examples. See how you go.
Easier, 10 Qns, Desimac, Mar 10 17
Easier
Desimac gold member
277 plays
19.
  Mastering Theatre Lingo    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
If you're an avid Actor this quiz should be a breeze. However, if you are only just starting to get involved in the world of Theatre, this quiz may be an excellent learning experience!
Average, 10 Qns, Lucay, Feb 15 09
Average
Lucay
1746 plays
20.
  Backstage Theatrical Devices    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Been to the theater lately? A lot of the magic is in the planning and preparation of the technical delivery as well as the actors' performances. What do you know about the backstage?
Average, 10 Qns, njbruce, Aug 11 19
Average
njbruce gold member
Aug 11 19
2428 plays

Theatre Vocabulary Trivia Questions

1. What does the expression "break a leg" mean in theatrical parlance?

From Quiz
Theatrical Lingo

Answer: Good Luck

It's considered bad luck to wish a person good luck in the theatre. So, because of this superstition, the custom of telling performers to break a leg began.

2. If an actor, when following the directions in a play, is about to exit stage left, in which direction will that person go?

From Quiz Exit Stage Left

Answer: His or her left

Stage directions in a play are for the benefit of the actor. From the position of facing an audience, to exit stage left means to go to the actor's left - and vice versa. These directions are quite simple once you know for whom they were written.

3. To most people, the "front of the house" refers to that portion of a dwelling oriented toward the street which includes the front porch and the front door. What is the "front of the house" in the theatre?

From Quiz Break a Leg!

Answer: the area and the services provided to patrons, e.g. ticket sales, ushering, concessions, seating

Generally speaking, the stage manager is in charge of everything that happens from the curtain to the backstage while the house manager is in charge of everything that happens in the seats, the lobby and, in some cases, even the parking lot. The people who fill the seats are themselves sometimes collectively referred to as "the house."

4. The sides of a stage are referred to as stage left and stage right. Stage left is located...

From Quiz Mastering Theatre Lingo

Answer: To the actor's left when on stage, facing the audience

Keeping this little piece of information in mind can be a big help when reading scripts and blocking scenes.

5. A coarse gauze which when left unpainted is used to diffuse the scene behind it when that scene is lit from behind the fabric. When painted and lit from the front it is opaque and forms the "back wall" of the scene in front of it. What is it called?

From Quiz Backstage Theatrical Devices

Answer: scrim

Often used to stage a scene in front of the scrim and then transition to the following scene by change of lighting or lifting the scrim.

6. What is a 'stage weight'?

From Quiz Theatrical Terms

Answer: A heavy metal weight used to hold a stage brace in position

A stage weight is a heavy weight, usually cast iron, that is placed on the bottom of a stage brace. The brace is an angled support for scenery.

7. On the stage floor you would notice painted lines or grey gaffer tape, which are called marks. What is their purpose?

From Quiz Theatrical Lingo

Answer: The position a performer stands onstage in a given scene

Where a performer stands is important in relation to the others on stage and quite important for the lights. Hence the expression, "To hit your mark". This method is also used on film sets.

8. What does the word entr'acte mean?

From Quiz Exit Stage Left

Answer: A break or intermission

The word entr'acte comes from the French word "entracte", meaning between the acts. This term is used in the theatre to mark the end of part one of the performance, allowing a break for the cast and audience. Entr'acte is an alternative to using the term intermission, which comes from the Italian word "intermezzo".

9. What does it mean if an actor has the direction "aside"?

From Quiz Exit Stage Left

Answer: He speaks directly to the audience

An aside usually, but not always, is used for comedic effect. The actor directs his comments to the audience, while the other actors on stage act as though they are unaware this is happening. It's a great device for villains in melodramas to use, for example. While wickedly twirling his moustache, the villain may hiss to the audience, "I will threaten to evict her mother into the cold, cold snow and then her lovely daughter shall throw herself on my mercy. Ahaaaa, finally she will be mine - mine I tell you!" The aside can also be used for dramatic purposes of course, but this isn't terribly effective and runs the risk of an audience laughing when comedy isn't the intent.

10. Cattle are domesticated bovines such as bulls, steers, cows, and oxen, raised for their meat or for dairy products. What is a cattle call in the theatre?

From Quiz Break a Leg!

Answer: an open audition for actors in large numbers for brief tryouts

Mass auditions are sometimes held to cast smaller parts in plays, movies, television programmes and advertisements. Sometimes the actors are seen in groups. People responsible for casting are often able to tell very quickly who is suitable and those few are sometimes called back for a longer, more personal audition.

11. The audience are also advised as to how long there is to go before curtain up. What term is used to describe these announcements?

From Quiz Theatre - Technical Jargon and a Dash of Folklore

Answer: Front of House Calls

These calls follow the same pattern as those made to the cast and crew, with the obvious exception of "beginners to the stage". For the stragglers, bells are rung in the bars and foyer 3, 2, and 1 minute before curtain up.

12. Used by actors on the set to find their "mark" (place where they start their scene in a play on the set) in total darkness. What is this aid?

From Quiz Backstage Theatrical Devices

Answer: phosphorescent tape

Usually stapled to the set flooring, it also lets the actors know where rises and falls occur on the set as they enter the stage between scenes.

13. Who or what is a 'flyman'?

From Quiz Theatrical Terms

Answer: The technician operating machinery controlling the scenery suspension system

The flyman works on the Fly Floor (or Fly Gallery) which normally runs from downstage to upstage. He is in charge of the scenery that can be raised or lowered. Traditionally this was all done by hand, pulling on ropes - because of this a lot of flymen in days gone by were ex-seamen. Nowadays, many flies are computer controlled.

14. What is the importance of "Tonys" on Broadway or "Oliviers" on the West End?

From Quiz Theatrical Lingo

Answer: They are awards

The Antoinette (Tony) Perry awards, named in her honor, are presented annually by the American Theatre Wing, for excellence on Broadway. The "Oliviers", or, more correctly, The Laurence Oliver awards, are an annual award for excellence on the British stage, presented in many categories similar to the Tonys. The Tonys were first presented in 1947 and the Oliviers in 1976. The Oliviers were originally called The Society of West End Awards, renamed in Olivier's honor in 1984.

15. If an actor was given the direction to be downstage for a scene, where would they be in relation to the audience?

From Quiz Exit Stage Left

Answer: Close to the audience whilst on stage

The terms downstage, centre stage, and upstage refer to the position of the actor on stage in relationship to the audience. If a cast member was given a direction to be downstage during a scene, they would be close to the audience.

16. Who is the antagonist in any play?

From Quiz Exit Stage Left

Answer: The opposing role to that of the main character

The antagonist in a play is the actor or actors whose role is in direct opposition to the role played by the heroic or main character in a play. Conversely, the general terms applied to the central character in the play is the protagonist. An example of this would be Shakespeare's "Othello" (circa 1603). The heroic figure or protagonist is Othello, a Moor, who is a general in the Venetian army. His noble nature if offset by the evil behind-the-scenes machinations of the despicable Iago who plays on Othello's one fatal character weakness, jealousy, to the detriment of all concerned in the play. This is one of Shakespeare's most ruthless tragedies, and never, for one instant, does it let go of its audience.

17. A barn door is that which is too often closed after the horse has been stolen. It is also a colloquial term for the fly in a gentleman's trousers. What is meant by the theatrical term "barn door"?

From Quiz Break a Leg!

Answer: an arrangement of opaque flaps around a light

Barn doors are often made of metal painted black. They can be fixed so as to precisely guide and direct the light from a lamp.

18. As a theatregoer, you would be very lucky to come close to teasers and tormentors. But were you to do so, where would this be?

From Quiz Theatre - Jargon and Folklore. Act Two

Answer: Onstage

To come close to tormentors and teasers, you would have to be treading the boards and be onstage, perhaps as part of a tour (several theatres run these) or by invitation from a member of the cast or crew. On proscenium stages, narrow flats stand directly behind - and sometimes also at right angles to - the arch. Running the length of the arch and linking the vertical flats is another solid piece. These are the tormentors and teasers respectively, so called because they prevent you from glimpsing into the magical world behind the scenes, as well as masking lighting, etc. When made of cloth, such means of concealment are known as legs and borders. In most instances, they are black, in order to absorb light, and pose as little distraction as possible to the action onstage.

19. Who or what is the House?

From Quiz Mastering Theatre Lingo

Answer: The audience

A full house refers to a sold-out show. The house lights are the lights in the theatre not projected on stage. These lights are on before and after the show, as well as during intermission (if there is one). Dimming of the house lights generally signals that the show is about to begin.

20. A curved curtain, usually at the back of the stage and often used as the sky backing of a theatrical piece. What is this standard theatrical hanging known as?

From Quiz Backstage Theatrical Devices

Answer: cyclorama

From Greek Cyclos (circle) and Horama (view or vision).

21. What is a 'ghost light'?

From Quiz Theatrical Terms

Answer: A light left on when the theatre is closed for the night

A ghost light is a working light which is left on. It is based on the superstition that most theatres have ghosts and this light is to keep the theatre ghost happy.

22. What does the expression downstage refer to?

From Quiz Theatrical Lingo

Answer: Front of the stage close to the audience

Closer to the audience is downstage, back toward the backdrop is upstage. Stage Left and Stage Right are referred to from the performer/s perspective. So as an audience member if the performer leaves the stage to your right, they are exiting Stage Left.

23. If an actor is given the direction to be stage right, where would they be standing in relationship to the audience?

From Quiz Exit Stage Left

Answer: The actor would be postioned on the left hand side of the stage from the audience's perspective

The direction stage right involves the actor being positioned to the right of another actor, which makes them seem to be closer to the left hand side of the stage from the audience's perspective. If speaking to another actor, the right hand side of the actor's face would be in profile.

24. What does the term "curtain call" mean?

From Quiz Exit Stage Left

Answer: The presentation of the cast at the end of a play

The curtain call takes place after the conclusion of the play when the entire cast is brought on stage to take their bows to, hopefully, a wildly cheering and appreciative audience. Sometimes the cast will all hold hands and bow as one. At other times the main characters will each step forward to bow individually. This usually can be seen, say, following the conclusion of an opera. The louder the applause the more the audience appreciated the play or the individual performer.

25. Birds and airplanes have wings, Paul McCartney and his wife Linda McCartney had Wings, and political parties have wings. What are the wings in a theatre?

From Quiz Break a Leg!

Answer: the areas on either side (right and left) of the stage, out of sight of the audience

Wings are technically part of the backstage which includes them and more space behind the backdrop. Actors normally stand in the wings just before they make an entrance. The phrase "waiting in the wings" derives from this theatrical practice.

26. Which two words define the area in front of most stages where the musicians are located?

From Quiz Theatre - Jargon and Folklore. Act Two

Answer: Orchestra Pit

Usually in front of the stage but slightly lower than the audience, the orchestra pit can often be turned into additional seating or an apron stage, if there is no live music required, or if the musicians are onstage or in the wings. Pits vary in size, and may have audio and video monitoring to relay the show to those musicians unable to see the stage. In the days of Variety and Music Hall, musicians marked their scores with arrows pointing upward, to indicate when to catch the "best" view of the chorus girls! Anyone playing for shows involving physical gags should be on their guard, though, as bits of custard pie, or water squirted from a flower, may find their way into the pit. The motto here is; if this bothers you, don't work the show!

27. Backstage, everything is ready, and clearance can be given to allow the audience in. What phrase is used?

From Quiz Theatre - Technical Jargon and a Dash of Folklore

Answer: Open the House

Stage Management tell the FOH (Front Of House) Manager that everything is ready. The FOH Manager will then inform his staff by walking round the corridors and stairways that give access to the auditorium, often ringing a handbell as he makes his round. Doors are opened, and the audience may take their seats. Backstage, the call "The house is open, please do not cross the stage" is passed to all positions.

28. A wooden framed panel of canvas that, together as units, make up the backing walls of a set. It is referred to as a what?

From Quiz Backstage Theatrical Devices

Answer: flat

After they are constructed, they can be held in stock and re-painted for future presentations.

29. The term 'paper the house' means...

From Quiz Theatrical Terms

Answer: To give away tickets to theatre performances to give the impression of a successful show

This is a marketing technique whereby tickets are given away or sold very cheaply to ensure full houses and make the production appear more successful than it is in reality.

30. In theatrical parlance, what is a deadhead?

From Quiz Theatrical Lingo

Answer: An audience member who did not pay for their seat

Sometimes called freeloaders, deadheads are usually friends of the producers. They not only don't pay for seats, but it is common for them to be given prime seats.

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