Advanced Performing Arts Vocabulary

Table of contents

performing arts	Art forms that are performed for an audience.
performance	An event where people entertain an audience live on stage.
show	Synonym for “performance” when talking about live productions.
entertainment	Activities or performances that are fun, joyful and relaxing.
creativity	Using imagination to come up with original ideas.
expression	Communicating ideas and thoughts through words, actions or art.
improvisation	Making up a story, speech or scene without using a prepared script.
audition	A short performance with the goal of being cast in a show or getting a job in the performing arts.
rehearsal	When people practise an act before the real performance.
break a leg	What people say instead of “good luck” right before a performer goes on stage.
the show must go on	Something a person says when a performance or plan must be carried out, despite many problems and obstacles.
to upstage someone	To do things that take attention away from another performer, and make the audience focus on you instead.
to steal the show	To give such a great performance that you capture most of the audience’s attention.
show business showbiz	The industry of film, TV, theatre and music.
a number	An individual song, dance or other type of act that is part of a larger show.

act (in a show)	A major section of a show or performance, made up of different scenes.
scene (in a show)	A small part of a show where the action takes place in the same location.
playwright	A person who writes scripts for plays.
ensemble	A group of actors, dancers or musicians who perform together.
chorus	In opera, an organized group of singers who sing together in harmony.
aria	A song sung by a single singer in an opera, to show the character’s deep feelings.
movement	The act of moving your body, a part of your body or your position.
rhythm	A repeated pattern of sounds or movements in music and dance.
monologue	A long speech spoken by only one actor/actress.
skill	A specific ability or technique that a stage performer learns by repeated practice.
stage left	For the people on stage, it is the left side. For the audience, this would be the right side.
stage right	For the people on stage, it is the right side. For the audience, this would be the left side.
illusion	When someone makes something non-existent or false appear real.
illusionist	A person who creates large visual illusions.

concert	A live performance where artists play music for an audience.
recital	A small music or dance performance given by students or a single musician to show their progress.
jam session	A place where musicians improvise music and practise together informally.
venue	The specific place where an event, concert or show is held.
stadium	A very large sports arena that’s outside or covered by a dome.
club	A place indoors where people go to listen to music, dance and socialize.
festival	An event, usually outside, that lasts one or more days. It features many artists and acts on different stages.
recording studio	A soundproof room with special equipment where people record and edit music.

to audition	To try to get a role or a job by performing for the director or person in charge.
to practise	To work on a skill repeatedly in order to get better at it.
to jam	To play instruments together without planning or a specific goal.
to put on a show	To prepare and perform for an audience.
to stage	To organize, prepare and perform a show on stage for an audience. More serious and technical than “to put on a show.”
to memorize	To learn something by heart so that you can say or play it without looking at notes.
to rehearse	To practise before a real performance.
to improvise	To do something without planning beforehand.
to tell a joke	To recount something funny, often a story, where the goal is to make people laugh.
to learn lines	To study the words in a script and be able to say them without looking.

to audition	To try to get a role or a job by performing for the director or person in charge.
to practise	To work on a skill repeatedly in order to get better at it.
to jam	To play instruments together without planning or a specific goal.
to put on a show	To prepare and perform for an audience.
to stage	To organize, prepare and perform a show on stage for an audience. More serious and technical than “to put on a show.”
to memorize	To learn something by heart so that you can say or play it without looking at notes.
to rehearse	To practise before a real performance.
to improvise	To do something without planning beforehand.
to tell a joke	To recount something funny, often a story, where the goal is to make people laugh.
to learn lines	To study the words in a script and be able to say them without looking.

Performing Arts Vocabulary