Study guides · Stuff Every Theater Scout Should Know
Practice facts for the Theater merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.
Knowing Theater Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.
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Short answer: The script of the play
A playwright writes the play's script, which the director and actors then bring to life on stage.
Groan of the day: The playwright had a write good idea.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: The group of actors in a show
The cast is the group of performers who act the roles in a production.
Groan of the day: The cast really threw themselves into their roles.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: Guides the actors and shapes the show
The director leads rehearsals and helps shape how the play is performed.
Groan of the day: The director really calls the shots.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: The technical side of making theater
Stagecraft covers technical work like scenery, lighting, costumes, makeup, props, and sound.
Groan of the day: Stagecraft is a behind-the-scenes craft.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: Lighting designer
A lighting designer plans the lights that help the audience see and feel the show.
Groan of the day: The lighting designer had a bright idea.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: The clothes the actors wear
Costume designers plan and make the outfits that show character and time period.
Groan of the day: The costume designer knows how to suit each character.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: An object an actor uses on stage
Props are objects like cups or letters that actors handle during a performance.
Groan of the day: That prop really supports the scene.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: Plans and mixes the show's audio
Sound designers plan microphones, music, and effects so the audience hears clearly.
Groan of the day: The sound designer knows how to make some noise.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: Organizing rehearsals and running the show
Stage managers coordinate schedules, cues, and backstage work so each performance runs smoothly.
Groan of the day: The stage manager keeps everyone on the same page.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: The scenery and physical stage world
Set designers create the scenery and layout that show where the play takes place.
Groan of the day: The set designer really built a world.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: An organization that produces performances
A theater company organizes and produces theatrical performances, often hiring casts and crews.
Groan of the day: That company really knows how to put on a show.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: A troupe is a group of performers
A troupe is a group of performers working together, while a company produces performances.
Groan of the day: That troupe really acts like a team.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: A group that travels to perform in different cities
Touring companies travel from place to place, presenting shows at different venues.
Groan of the day: That touring company is always on the move.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: Performing several different shows in rotation
Repertory companies rehearse multiple shows at once and can perform them on request.
Groan of the day: That repertory company has plenty in reserve.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: Making up the performance as you go
In improvisation, performers create the drama spontaneously in front of the audience.
Groan of the day: That improv scene was made up on the spot.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: Commedia dell'arte
Commedia dell'arte, from sixteenth-century Italy, is recognized as the first improvisation form.
Groan of the day: Commedia dell'arte really made things up as it went.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: A long speech by one character
A monologue is one character speaking at length, often sharing thoughts or feelings.
Groan of the day: That monologue was a real solo act.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: Conversation between characters
Dialogue is the spoken exchange between characters that moves the story along.
Groan of the day: Good dialogue keeps the conversation going.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: The words and structure of the play
The script provides the play's words and structure that actors and directors work from.
Groan of the day: The script is the write stuff.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: A word meaning action or to act
Drama comes from a Greek word meaning action, linked to a verb meaning to do or act.
Groan of the day: Drama is all about taking action.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: A play that uses humor to tell a story
Comedies use humor as a vehicle to tell their story and entertain the audience.
Groan of the day: That comedy had the audience in stitches.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: A serious drama with a sorrowful outcome
Tragedy is a serious form of drama that often deals with sorrow and powerful emotions.
Groan of the day: That tragedy was seriously moving.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: A show with songs, dialogue, and dance
Musicals combine music, spoken dialogue, and dance to tell their stories.
Groan of the day: That musical really hit the right notes.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: Humor about bleak or taboo subjects
Black comedy treats bleak or taboo subjects in a deliberately humorous way.
Groan of the day: Black comedy finds humor in dark places.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: A comic play full of exaggerated situations
A farce is a comedy that uses exaggerated, unlikely situations to make audiences laugh.
Groan of the day: That farce went a bit over the top.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: A drama that is generally sung throughout
In opera, the drama is generally sung throughout rather than spoken.
Groan of the day: Opera really sings its story.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: A theater art using acting and staging
Ballet is a theater art that uses conventions like acting, costumes, and staging.
Groan of the day: Ballet really steps up to the stage.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: Acting without words using gestures
Pantomime tells a story through gestures and movement without using words.
Groan of the day: The mime said nothing but spoke volumes.
Sources: Scouting America: Theater
Short answer: A short play performed without intermission
A one-act play is a short play, often performed in a single stretch without an intermission.
Groan of the day: That one-act play got straight to the point.
Sources: Scouting America: Theater
Short answer: A main character, conflict, and climax
The play needs a main character, a conflict, and a climax to tell a complete story.
Groan of the day: That play had character and then some.
Sources: Scouting America: Theater
Short answer: The struggle or problem characters face
Conflict is the struggle or problem that drives the story forward.
Groan of the day: That conflict really stirred things up.
Sources: Scouting America: Theater
Short answer: The most intense turning point
The climax is the most intense turning point where the conflict comes to a head.
Groan of the day: The climax really peaked at the right time.
Sources: Scouting America: Theater
Short answer: The acting and the staging
A play review can discuss the acting and the staging you observed.
Groan of the day: That review really staged a comeback.
Sources: Scouting America: Theater
Short answer: See it live or read the full play
You may see a full-length play live or read it, but movie versions are not permitted.
Groan of the day: Live theater really plays better than a screen.
Sources: Scouting America: Theater
Short answer: To protect the cast and crew
Safety precautions help protect everyone working in the theater, cast and crew alike.
Groan of the day: Safety first keeps the show from falling apart.
Sources: Scouting America: Theater
Short answer: Tell a qualified adult supervisor right away
Report hazards to a qualified supervisor rather than trying to handle them alone.
Groan of the day: When in doubt, call it out.
Sources: Scouting America: Theater
Short answer: Holding scenery firmly in place
A stage brace is a piece of stage hardware that helps hold scenery securely.
Groan of the day: That brace really supports the set.
Sources: Scouting America: Theater
Short answer: A light that focuses on a performer or area
A spotlight is a focused light used to highlight a performer or a specific stage area.
Groan of the day: The spotlight really put her in the limelight.
Sources: Scouting America: Theater
Short answer: Spreading broad light over an area
A floodlight spreads a wide, broad wash of light across part of the stage.
Groan of the day: The floodlight really flooded the stage with light.
Sources: Scouting America: Theater
Short answer: Operates and adjusts the stage lights
A lighting control board lets an operator run and adjust the stage lighting cues.
Groan of the day: The board is in charge of the light show.
Sources: Scouting America: Theater
Short answer: Balancing and controlling the show's audio
A sound mixing desk lets an operator balance and control microphones, music, and effects.
Groan of the day: The mixing desk keeps the sound in balance.
Sources: Scouting America: Theater
Short answer: A place for viewing
The word comes from the Greek word for a place for viewing, linked to words meaning to see or watch.
Groan of the day: The audience had a seat with a view, so the show was truly eye-catching.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: Athens
Athens is described as the city-state where Western theatre began.
Groan of the day: Athens staged a great show, so the audience gave it a city-sized hand.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: Tragedy, comedy, and the satyr play
Ancient Greek theatre consisted of tragedy, comedy, and the satyr play.
Groan of the day: Three drama types walked into a theatre, and the comedy got the last laugh.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: Always men
The actors were always men, and each might play several parts.
Groan of the day: The actors wore masks, so you could say they had a lot of face time.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: Masks
Actors wore masks suited to the characters they played.
Groan of the day: The masks were a big hit, so the show really faced the audience.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: The orchestra
The stage included a dancing floor called the orchestra.
Groan of the day: The orchestra was where the action stepped up.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: The skene
The skene was the dressing room and scene-building area.
Groan of the day: The skene was behind the scenes, literally.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: Aristotle
Aristotle wrote the Poetics, the oldest surviving work of dramatic theory.
Groan of the day: Aristotle's book was a real page-turner for drama fans.
Sources: Theatre
Short answer: Sophocles
Oedipus Rex is a classical Athenian tragedy by Sophocles.
Groan of the day: Sophocles wrote a tragedy, so the ending was a real tearjerker.
Sources: Theatre
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The script of the play. A playwright writes the play's script, which the director and actors then bring to life on stage.
An organization that produces performances. A theater company organizes and produces theatrical performances, often hiring casts and crews.
A play that uses humor to tell a story. Comedies use humor as a vehicle to tell their story and entertain the audience.
The struggle or problem characters face. Conflict is the struggle or problem that drives the story forward.
Balancing and controlling the show's audio. A sound mixing desk lets an operator balance and control microphones, music, and effects.
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