thespian
One who acts
A thespian is an actor, especially one who performs on stage.
The word comes from Thespis, the ancient Greek credited with inventing tragedy.
Thespian often carries a whiff of pretension or gentle mockery: Our community theater thespians take themselves very seriously.
It can also function as an adjective meaning theatrical or dramatic.
Written words for performance
- auditionTrial performance for selection
- castingShaping through liquid form
- understudyBackup actor, ready nightly
- costumeClothing for portrayal
makeup · director · playwright · producer · ensemble · troupe · company · repertory
Pre-performance practice session
- curtainFabric hung for privacy
- backstageTheater's hidden area
- prosceniumTheater's architectural frame
- spotlightConcentrated illumination source
blocking · greenroom · prompter · wings · footlights · apron · flies · trapdoor
Of late 1500s England
- GlobeFamous Elizabethan theatre
- HamletDanish prince's revenge tragedy
- MacbethAmbitious thane's downfall
- OthelloVenetian military commander
soliloquy · iambic · pentameter · Stratford-upon-Avon · groundlings · folio · quarto · Prospero
Uninterrupted solo address
- soliloquyDramatic speech to oneself
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- methodOrderly way of doing
- characterizationDescribing distinctive qualities
projection · diction · inflection · improvisation · motivation · subtext · timing · delivery
Disastrous or sorrowful event
- catharsisPurification through emotional expression
- pathosPity-evoking quality
- protagonistStory's central figure
- antagonistOne who opposes another
climax · denouement · hubris · hamartia · conflict · suspense · foreshadowing · irony
Film's written blueprint
- OscarAcademy's golden award
- blockbusterEnormously successful entertainment property
- HollywoodAmerican film industry center
- studioCreative professional's workspace
premiere · filmography · biopic · close-up · typecasting · cameo · Academy · BAFTA
script
Written words for performance
- auditionTrial performance for selection
- castingShaping through liquid form
- understudyBackup actor, ready nightly
costume · makeup · director · playwright · producer · ensemble · troupe · company · repertory · revival
rehearsal
Pre-performance practice session
- curtainFabric hung for privacy
- backstageTheater's hidden area
- prosceniumTheater's architectural frame
spotlight · blocking · greenroom · prompter · wings · footlights · apron · flies · trapdoor · scenery
Elizabethan
Of late 1500s England
- GlobeFamous Elizabethan theatre
- HamletDanish prince's revenge tragedy
- MacbethAmbitious thane's downfall
Othello · soliloquy · iambic · pentameter · Stratford-upon-Avon · groundlings · folio · quarto · Prospero · Falstaff
monologue
Uninterrupted solo address
- soliloquyDramatic speech to oneself
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- methodOrderly way of doing
characterization · projection · diction · inflection · improvisation · motivation · subtext · timing · delivery · gesture
tragedy
Disastrous or sorrowful event
- catharsisPurification through emotional expression
- pathosPity-evoking quality
- protagonistStory's central figure
antagonist · climax · denouement · hubris · hamartia · conflict · suspense · foreshadowing · irony · theatricality
screenplay
Film's written blueprint
- OscarAcademy's golden award
- blockbusterEnormously successful entertainment property
- HollywoodAmerican film industry center
studio · premiere · filmography · biopic · close-up · typecasting · cameo · Academy · BAFTA · Bollywood
- actingacting, act, performing, playacting, actor
- actorsactor, actors, actresses, film actor, performers
- performersactor, dancer, singer, musician, comedian
- theater jobsactor, director, playwright, choreographer, stage manager
- Greek TheaterGreek tragedy, tragedy, Greek drama, comedy, Sophocles
- Ancient Theatertheatron, skene, orchestra, cavea, proscenium
thespianspectator
Observer at an event
viewer · theatergoer · playgoer · observer · onlooker
thespianstagehand
Backstage theater worker
techie · grip · lighting technician · stage crew · stage manager