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Theatrical Lingo Trivia Quiz

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.

A multiple-choice quiz by Desimac. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
Desimac

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
385,814

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Easy

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
278

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

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

Good Luck

Go out and injure another cast member

I hope you fall and hurt yourself

Don't forget your lines

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Question 2 of 10

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

They are for stage decoration

The name of the person who put them there

The position a performer stands onstage in a given scene

Guidlines for sets

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Question 3 of 10

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

They are sandwiches

They are street names

They refer to Tony Curtis and Olivier Twist

They are awards

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Question 4 of 10

4. What does the expression downstage refer to? Hint

Forgetting your lines

Back of the stage away from the audience

Front of the stage close to the audience

Oneupmanship of one actor over another

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Question 5 of 10

5. In theatrical parlance, what is a deadhead? Hint

A performer who can't act

An audience member who did not pay for their seat

An ineffective stagehand related to the producer

A first time director

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Question 6 of 10

6. What is a Ghost Light? Hint

A light reflector

A light used in "Phantom Of The Opera"

A safety light

A light around a makeup mirror

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Question 7 of 10

7. What does mug mean, in theatrical terms?
Hint

A fool

A character actor

A coffee cup belonging to the star

Make exaggerated facial expressions

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is a runway? Hint

The landing outside the star's dressing room

A stage-hand who steals the box office takings

A projection from the stage into the audience

An actor/performer with stage fright

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Question 9 of 10

9. In theatrical terms, what is an angel? Hint

A backer of a show

The youngest member of the chorus line

The ingenue in the play

The understudy to the female star

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Question 10 of 10

10. What is meant by the expression "a two-hander"? Hint

Older style theatres with two levels

A play with only two significant characters

A play with only two acts

A stage prop requiring two hands to lift it

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

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

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

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.

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

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.

4. What does the expression downstage refer to?

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.

5. In theatrical parlance, what is a deadhead?

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.

6. What is a Ghost Light?

Answer: A safety light

A ghost light is a light that stays on when all other lights are out. It is primarily a safety light used to guide stagehands and performers in darkened theatres, to prevent someone falling into the orchestra pit or tripping over sets or cables.

7. What does mug mean, in theatrical terms?

Answer: Make exaggerated facial expressions

Mugging or mug is a term used when a performer makes facial expressions directly at the audience, so the rest of the cast can't see. Mugging is often used in pantomimes, comedies and musicals.

8. What is a runway?

Answer: A projection from the stage into the audience

The runway projects usually from centre stage into the audience. Famous users of the runway were Al Jolson and Eddie Cantor. With the coming of rock 'n' roll, Little Richard used the runway to good effect.

9. In theatrical terms, what is an angel?

Answer: A backer of a show

A backer of a show, this is an older little used term. Nowadays plays are usually financed and produced by corporations or a number of backers/corporations. Indeed, "BEAUTIFUL The Carole King Musical" lists no less than 26 individuals/corporations as producers.

10. What is meant by the expression "a two-hander"?

Answer: A play with only two significant characters

A two-hander is a play or film with only two main characters. A fine example is "Educating Rita" or "China Doll". A further example of a play and later a film is "Sleuth"

Source: Author Desimac

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
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