promptbook
Stage manager's bible
A promptbook is a copy of a play's script annotated with stage directions, cues, blocking, and technical notes—the master document from which a stage manager runs a production.
It contains everything needed to reproduce the show: lighting cues, sound effects, actor entrances and exits.
The stage manager followed along in her promptbook, calling each cue.
Signals prompting action
- blockingImpeding forward progress
- annotationsExplanatory additions to documents
- timingsRecorded durations or intervals
- entrancesOpenings for access, or beguiles
exits · transitions · margins · markings · shorthand · symbols · cross · hold
Impeding forward progress
- run-throughFull practice of something
- read-throughUninterrupted script performance
- memorizationCommitting information to recall
- stagingPreparing for presentation
understudy · sides · warm-up · notes · revisions · changes · updates · tracking
Spoken exchange between parties
- monologueUninterrupted solo address
- scenesDivisions within acts
- actsDeeds or play sections
- linesStrokes connecting two points
characters · playwright · cuts · rewrites · additions · sides · pages · revisions
Theater accessories or praise
Acting technique innovator
- repertoryCollection of prepared works
- archivesStored historical documents
- ElizabethanOf late 1500s England
- restorationReturning something to condition
vaudeville · commedia · kabuki · noh · opera · ballet · musicals · Broadway
cues
Signals prompting action
- blockingImpeding forward progress
- annotationsExplanatory additions to documents
- timingsRecorded durations or intervals
entrances · exits · transitions · margins · markings · shorthand · symbols · cross · hold · beat
blocking
Impeding forward progress
- run-throughFull practice of something
- read-throughUninterrupted script performance
- memorizationCommitting information to recall
staging · understudy · sides · warm-up · notes · revisions · changes · updates · tracking · continuity
dialogue
Spoken exchange between parties
lines · characters · playwright · cuts · rewrites · additions · sides · pages · revisions · amendments
props
Theater accessories or praise
Stanislavski
Acting technique innovator
- repertoryCollection of prepared works
- archivesStored historical documents
- ElizabethanOf late 1500s England
restoration · vaudeville · commedia · kabuki · noh · opera · ballet · musicals · Broadway
- theaterplays, stage, play, onstage, acting
- scriptsalphabet, Latin alphabet, Roman alphabet, Greek alphabet, Hebrew alphabet
promptbookimprovisation
Spontaneous, unplanned creation
ad-libbing · impromptu · off-the-cuff · winging it · extemporization