The Imitation Game ✓

WELCOME TO DRAMA SCHOOL

Hi everyone! I'll be using a lot of theatre industry-specific terms in this book that some people might not be familiar with, so I compiled some of the most important ones here for you so that you can hopefully enjoy the story without being confused. Feel free to skip this section if you're already familiar with it and let me know if there are any other definitions you'd like me to add :)

First of all...is it theatre or theater?

In British English, theatre is usually the preferred spelling while in American English, it's often theater. However, there's really no difference in meaning and function, and both are correct. Some people (myself included) prefer to use theatre when referring to the art itself and theater when referring to the building, so when you see me spell it two different ways, that's why!

What actually is Broadway?

Some people will use the phrase "Broadway show" when talking about pretty much any play or musical, but there's actually a specific definition of what actually qualifies as a Broadway show!

Broadway: refers to the theatrical performances which are presented in the 41 professional theatres, each with 500 or more seats, located in the Theater District and the Lincoln Center along Broadway in Midtown Manhattan (London's equivalent is called the West End)

Off-Broadway: an off-Broadway theatre is any professional theatre venue in Manhattan in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499

Off-off-Broadway (yes, this is actually a thing): Off-off-Broadway theaters are smaller New York City theaters than Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters, and usually have fewer than 100 seats

Professional theaters outside of NYC are typically just referred to as regional theaters.

Theatre Terminology 101

sitzprobe: in musical theatre and opera, a rehearsal where the singers sing with the orchestra, focusing attention on integrating the two groups. it is often the first rehearsal where the orchestra and singers rehearse together

tech rehearsal: a tech rehearsal that takes place in the theater the show will be performed in, focused on the technical aspects such as lighting, sound, etc. A dress rehearsal is a full-scale rehearsal where the actors and/or musicians perform every detail of the performance and cast members wear their costumes

previews: preceding a new show's opening night, there is usually a period of previews where the show is being performed for audiences, but adjustments are still being made to the show between performances. Previews allow the director and crew to identify problems and opportunities for improvement that weren't found during rehearsals and to make adjustments before critics are invited to attend

stage door: a door to the theatre used by cast and crew that leads to the backstage area rather than the lobby. after a show, fans often gather outside the stage door to have their playbills autographed by the actors as they exit the theatre

blocking: the precise staging of actors in order to facilitate the performance of a play, musical, etc. during the blocking rehearsal, the assistant director, stage manager or director takes notes about where the actors are positioned and their movement on stage

Actors' Equity Association (AEA): Commonly referred to as Actors' Equity or simply Equity, the AEA is an American labor union representing those who work in live theatrical performance. All Broadway shows are Equity productions

Who's Who

principal actor/actress: these are your lead actors in the main and supporting roles, who perform in every show unless they're out sick/on vacation

understudy: typically, understudies are members of the ensemble who perform in every show and cover larger roles. when a principal actor is out, an understudy usually performs their role in their absence. each role usually has multiple understudies

standby: someone in an off-stage position who covers a lead role or roles and is not in the ensemble. extremely demanding main roles, such as Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked, will often have a standby ready in case the principal actor injures themselves mid-performance (or are unable to continue for some other reason). standbys must be ready to go on stage at a moment's notice and are usually required to stay backstage until at least intermission at each performance

swing: an off-stage cast member who typically covers most, if not all, of the ensemble roles. this means that swings in large productions often have to memorize all the lines and cues for 10+ roles!

alternate: a select few of the most challenging roles, such as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera, will have an alternate who goes on a designated number of times per week, usually 1-2. Most Broadway shows perform 8 shows a week with 2 shows on Wednesdays and Saturdays, so having an alternate gives the principal actor a chance to rest. A show wouldn't have both standbys and alternates, and standbys are more common than alternates.