| Aside | | Space at the sides of the stage, just behind the curtains. Performers enter and exit from the wings |
| Ingenue | | book or script of an opera or musical |
| Bit Part | | A sunken area at the front of house where the musicians and conductor are housed. The conductor is elevated so that both musicians and performers can see him |
| Copy | | The number of performances of a particular production |
| Callback | | Quickly cutting the lights to make the stage area completely dark |
| Dress Rehearsal | | A singer/dancer who knows the chorus parts and who substitutes for missing chorus members |
| Set | | Any area not seen by the audience, including dressing rooms |
| Action | | A process whereby perspective actors/singers/dancers perform in front of a group of individuals usually including the director and/or stage manager who are looking to cast specific roles and chorus |
| Break a Leg | | A style of singing in which a large, full tone is used. (found in musical theatre) |
| Scrim | | A reception lounge for performers, waiting to go on |
| Greenroom | | The part of the stage in front of the curtain (between the proscenium arch and the edge of the stage) |
| Backstage | | Visual humor - can involve a prop, costume, or movement |
| Off Book | | A performer who is ready to take over a specific role if the original performer is unable to do a performance (usually due to illness) |
| Box Office | | Any performers, crew, stage hands, etc. associated with a particular show |
| Characterization | | An arch that separates the stage from the audience |
| Reprise | | Adding the traits, quirks and mannerisms of a particular character |
| Extra | | A final rehearsal with all make-up, costumes, sets, lighting, sound etc. A dry run of the exact performance, just without an audience |
| Belt | | A short remark made to the audience by one of the characters in the play |
| Swing | | A long speech given by one character |
| Timing | | A rehearsal where lighting, scene changes, sound cues and special effects are rehearsed |
| Pit | | The furniture, props, backdrops etc. that transform the bare stage into the proper location for the performance |
| Blackout | | Those lights that illuminate the audience area and are turned off before the show commences |
| Thrust | | A stage area where the audience sits on 3 sides |
| Cue | | The main division of a play or musical |
| Wings | | At a stage in rehearsals when the actors are no longer using their scripts as lines have been committed to memory |
| Act | | Being able to deliver words or actions at the most effective moment |
| House | | To dismantle the set |
| Casting | | The place where one can purchase tickets to the show |
| House Lights | | Final bows at the end of a performance |
| Blocking | | The major theatrical district in New York City |
| Cold Reading | | Can include lobby and box office. A place where audience members can mingle before the performance starts |
| Libretto | | The dialogue (libretto) of a musical. (the script) |
| Book | | Although the director can fall under many subheadings, it is the person responsible for the overall artistic vision of the production |
| Strike | | The process of choosing performers to play the selected roles |
| Tech Rehearsal | | A rehearsal of a part of the script (without interruption) |
| Front of House | | An opening in the stage floor where performers and/or props etc. can disappear |
| Apron | | That which signals when to enter, exit, play music, change lighting, etc |
| Company | | A person who is used to provide proper background but who doesn't have lines |
| Trap | | When a director selects a few performers from auditions who are asked to return for a second try-out |
| Director | | A repetition of an earlier musical number (in part or in whole) |
| Overture | | The place where the audience is seated (often also refers to the audience itself) |
| Curtain Call | | The interplay between performers |
| Understudy | | An old theatrical adage meaning "good luck" |
| Sight Gag | | A small role |
| Run Through | | The orchestral beginning to the show, usually incorporating many of the familiar themes of the musical into it. It gets the audience into the spirit of the musical before the show begins |
| Monologue | | A gauze or net curtain that becomes transparent when lit from behind |
| Audition | | A young girl's role (often in a romantic setting) |
| Proscenium | | To play more than one role in the same production |
| Double | | Reading a part from a script that one has not rehearsed before |
| Run | | Providing the actors with their locations on stage and their actions |
