Drama and Theatre Arts (and Film)

Items

• ghost light

  A light is left on in the theatre through the night to keep the stage and backstage area lit. In the Wynand Mouton Theatre, the blue lights in the backstage area function as the ghost lights.
• given circumstances

  The facts provided by the script, including time, place, relationships, and situation, that shape a performance.
• Globalism in theatre

  The worldwide exchange of theatrical and cinematic forms, raising questions about cultural identity, hybridity, and influence.
• Go!

  The action word used by stage managers to cue other technical departments. (The word “go” should never be spoken by other technicians on the headsets, especially when the standby cue has been given, to prevent confusion as to when the cue needs to happen.)
• ground plan

  Top-view scaled plan showing the exact positioning of all items standing on the stage floor (set, monitors, extra lighting rigs, etc.).
• hamartia (tragic flaw)

  The tragic flaw or error in judgement that leads to the protagonist’s downfall in Greek tragedy.
• Heads!

  A shouted warning (“heads on stage!”) for theatre staff / cast members to be aware of activities above them, e.g., when an object is being dropped from above or when a fly bar is being lowered.
• high-angle shot

  Taken from above the subject, making them appear smaller, weaker, or vulnerable.
• hit your mark

  When an actor stands in the correct position (in terms of lighting or camera frame), they have “hit the mark”.
• house

  The area where the audience sits. Also refers to the audience, usually in terms of its size: when speaking about a full house, it means that all tickets have been sold, and the auditorium is filled to its maximum capacity.
• house lights

  The lamps that light the auditorium (audience area), used to indicate the start / end of the performance, or to call the audience to their seats.
• hybrid performance

  Blending live theatre with digital or multimedia elements.
• hybridity

  The blending of styles, conventions, and elements from different cultural, artistic, or linguistic traditions within one performance or film.
• ideological criticism

  Analyses how theatre and film (and other art forms) propagate or challenge dominant beliefs, values, and power structures.
• ideology

  A set of beliefs or values attributed to a person or group of persons. In script analysis, it is a system of beliefs or values that shapes how stories and characters represent society and power.
• improvisation

  Creating action, dialogue, or movement spontaneously without a scripted text.
• in the round

  A type of audience layout where the acting area is enclosed on all sides by the audience / “theatre” in the round refers to an acting technique that the actors use so that everyone can see them.
• Industrial Theatre

  This is related to “Applied Theatre” and includes corporate performances for training, motivation, or communication purposes.
• intermission / interval

  A short break between different acts of a play, where audience members can exit the auditorium before returning and being seated again for the following act.
• intersectionality

  A theory examining how social categories like race, gender, class, and sexuality overlap and affect representation.
• jump cut (jump editing)

  An abrupt transition between film shots that disrupts continuity, creating a jarring effect.
• kill

  To switch off a light or sound cue.
• legs

  Curtains, typically used in pairs, serving as masking devices on either side of the stage to frame the audience’s view.
• lighting

  The use of light to create mood, depth, and meaning in a film scene or on stage.
• lighting design

  The planning and execution of lighting to support mood, visibility, focus, and time in a performance space.