Vocabulary Words Every Acting Coach Should Know

Actor

Definition: A person who performs in plays, movies, or television.

• He wants to be an actor when he grows up.
• The actor won an award for his performance.
• She has been an actor in several films.

Actor in a sentence

Act

Definition: To do something or perform.

• He decided to act in the school play.
• She will act as the leader during the project.
• They learned how to act in front of an audience.

Act in a sentence

Play

Definition: to engage in activities for enjoyment; also refers to a dramatic performance

• The children love to play outside after school.
• She will play the lead role in the school play.
• He likes to play video games with his friends.

Play in a sentence

Scene

Definition: A place where an event occurs or a part of a play or movie.

• The scene in the movie was very emotional.
• They filmed the final scene in the park.
• Her favorite scene from the book was exciting.

Scene in a sentence

Script

Definition: The written text of a play, movie, or broadcast; also refers to handwriting.

• The actor memorized the script for the play.
• She wrote a script for her presentation.
• The script was filled with interesting dialogues.

Script in a sentence

Role

Definition: The function or part played by a person in a situation.

• Everyone has a role to play in the team.
• She takes on the role of a leader in the project.
• Understanding your role can help you succeed.

Role in a sentence

Stage

Definition: a raised platform where performances take place

• The actors performed on the stage with enthusiasm.
• She designed the stage for the school play.
• The stage was decorated beautifully for the event.

Stage in a sentence

Show

Definition: to present or display something

• She will show her artwork at the gallery.
• He wanted to show his friends the new game.
• The teacher will show a video during class.

Show in a sentence

Rehearsal

Definition: A practice session for a performance or event.

• The cast had a rehearsal for the play.
• They scheduled a rehearsal for the concert.
• She felt nervous before the rehearsal started.

Rehearsal in a sentence

Character

Definition: The qualities or traits of a person or thing.

• The main character in the story is very brave.
• She has a kind character and helps others.
• His character was tested during the difficult times.

Character in a sentence

Voice

Definition: The sound produced by a person when speaking or singing.

• She has a beautiful voice.
• I heard his voice in the crowd.
• The teacher encouraged everyone to use their voice.

Voice in a sentence

Gesture

Definition: A movement made with a part of the body to express an idea or feeling.

• He made a gesture to say hello.
• A smile is a kind gesture.
• She used a hand gesture to indicate directions.

Gesture in a sentence

Applause

Definition: Clapping hands to show approval or appreciation.

• The audience erupted in applause at the end of the concert.
• He received applause for his great presentation.
• Applause filled the room after the performance.

Applause in a sentence

Audience

Definition: A group of people who listen to or watch something.

• The audience clapped after the performance.
• There were many people in the audience at the concert.
• The speaker engaged the audience with interesting stories.

Audience in a sentence

Performance

Definition: The act of doing something, especially in front of an audience; how well someone does a task.

• The performance of the students was impressive.
• He practiced daily for his music performance.
• Her performance in the play earned her applause.

Performance in a sentence

Drama

Definition: A play or performance that tells a story through action and dialogue; also, a situation with intense emotions.

• She enjoys watching drama on television.
• The drama club is putting on a new play.
• He wrote a drama about friendship and betrayal.

Drama in a sentence

Film

Definition: A movie; a story told through moving images.

• We watched a film about animals.
• She wants to make her own film one day.
• The film was exciting and kept us interested.

Film in a sentence

Light

Definition: A source of illumination; not heavy.

• The light in the room is bright.
• She carries a light backpack.
• He turned on the light to see better.

Light in a sentence

Makeup

Definition: Cosmetics used to enhance or alter appearance; also means to create something.

• She applied makeup before the party.
• He likes to make up stories for fun.
• Her makeup made her look different.

Makeup in a sentence

Rehearse

Definition: To practice a performance or presentation.

• We will rehearse for the school play tomorrow.
• She needs to rehearse her speech.
• They rehearsed their dance routine all week.

Rehearse in a sentence

Dialogue

Definition: A conversation between two or more people, often used to explore ideas.

• The dialogue in the play was engaging and realistic.
• They practiced dialogue in their language class.
• Effective dialogue can lead to better understanding.

Dialogue in a sentence

Emotion

Definition: A strong feeling such as happiness, sadness, or anger.

• She expressed her emotion through art.
• Understanding your emotion is important.
• He felt a wave of emotion during the movie.

Emotion in a sentence

Express

Definition: To convey thoughts or feelings; to show something clearly.

• She likes to express her ideas through writing.
• He expressed his gratitude with a thank-you note.
• Art allows people to express their emotions.

Express in a sentence

Improvise

Definition: To create or perform spontaneously without preparation.

• He had to improvise when he forgot his lines.
• They learned to improvise during the music class.
• She can easily improvise when needed.

Improvise in a sentence

Casting

Definition: The process of selecting actors for a play or movie.

• The casting for the show begins next week.
• She auditioned for casting in the school play.
• They announced the casting results yesterday.

Casting in a sentence

Director

Definition: A person who oversees or manages a project or organization; a film director.

• The director of the play gave instructions.
• She wants to be a film director.
• The director organized the meeting efficiently.

Director in a sentence

Stagecraft

Definition: The art of creating and managing the visual and technical aspects of a theater production.

• Stagecraft includes lighting, set design, and sound effects.
• He studied stagecraft to improve his skills in theater.
• Understanding stagecraft is essential for successful performances.

Stagecraft in a sentence

Monologue

Definition: A long speech by one person in a play or movie.

• The actor delivered a powerful monologue.
• Her monologue captured the audience's attention.
• Monologues can reveal a character's thoughts and feelings.

Monologue in a sentence

Expression

Definition: A way to convey thoughts or feelings; a look on one's face.

• Her expression showed she was happy.
• He used a facial expression to communicate.
• The artist captured emotion in her expression.

Expression in a sentence

Feedback

Definition: Information or comments about someone's performance or work.

• The teacher gave feedback on my essay.
• He appreciated the feedback from his peers.
• Constructive feedback helps improve skills.

Feedback in a sentence

Talent

Definition: Natural ability or skill in a particular area.

• She has a talent for singing and performing.
• His talent in art was recognized at a young age.
• Finding and nurturing talent is important in education.

Talent in a sentence

Interpretation

Definition: the act of explaining or understanding something

• His interpretation of the poem was interesting.
• She gave a clear interpretation of the rules.
• The interpretation of the data helped us understand better.

Interpretation in a sentence

Blocking

Definition: Preventing access to something, often in communication.

• Blocking someone on social media can reduce negativity.
• He considered blocking certain websites to limit distractions.
• Blocking is a way to manage online interactions.

Blocking in a sentence

Cue

Definition: A signal or prompt for action, often in performance or sports.

• The director gave the cue for the actors to start.
• He took his cue from her smile.
• The cue helped him remember his lines.

Cue in a sentence

Improvisation

Definition: The act of creating or performing spontaneously without preparation.

• He enjoys improvisation in his theater performances.
• Improvisation can lead to creative solutions in discussions.
• She practiced improvisation to enhance her acting skills.

Improvisation in a sentence

Staging

Definition: the process of preparing for a performance or event

• The staging of the play took several weeks.
• She focused on staging the set for the show.
• Effective staging can enhance the audience's experience.

Staging in a sentence

Audition

Definition: A tryout for a role in a play, movie, or performance.

• She prepared for her audition by practicing the song.
• He was nervous before the audition for the school play.
• Understanding auditions can help in performing arts.

Audition in a sentence

Motivation

Definition: the reason to act or achieve something

• His motivation to study came from his goals.
• She found motivation in her favorite books.
• Positive feedback can increase motivation.

Motivation in a sentence

Technique

Definition: A way of doing something, especially in a skillful manner.

• He learned a new technique for playing the guitar.
• The artist used a unique technique for her painting.
• We practiced the technique repeatedly to improve.

Technique in a sentence

Presence

Definition: The state of being present in a place; the impression someone makes.

• Her presence in the classroom made everyone feel welcome.
• He had a strong presence that commanded attention.
• The artist's presence was felt throughout the exhibition.

Presence in a sentence

Ensemble

Definition: A group of items or people working together; often refers to a musical group.

• The ensemble played beautifully at the concert.
• She wore an elegant ensemble for the event.
• The theater group is known for its talented ensemble.

Ensemble in a sentence

Projection

Definition: An estimate or forecast of future trends based on current data.

• The projection for sales this year looks promising.
• He created a projection of the company's growth.
• Understanding projections helps in financial planning.

Projection in a sentence

Nuance

Definition: A subtle difference or variation in meaning, expression, or tone.

• The actor captured every nuance of the character.
• Understanding the nuances of language can improve communication.
• She noticed the nuance in his voice during the conversation.

Nuance in a sentence

Delivery

Definition: The act of bringing goods to a person or place.

• The delivery of the package was delayed.
• She waited for the delivery of her new phone.
• He works for a delivery service.

Delivery in a sentence

Timing

Definition: The choice or control of when something happens; the ability to do something at the right moment.

• His timing in the game was perfect for scoring.
• She practiced her timing for the dance performance.
• Good timing is crucial in sports.

Timing in a sentence

Transformation

Definition: A thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance.

• The transformation of the caterpillar into a butterfly is fascinating.
• She experienced a transformation after her travels.
• Understanding transformation can inspire personal growth.

Transformation in a sentence

Conflict

Definition: A disagreement or struggle between people or ideas.

• The conflict between the two teams was intense.
• They resolved the conflict peacefully.
• He wrote about the conflict in his essay.

Conflict in a sentence

Dynamics

Definition: The study of forces and motion in physical systems.

• Dynamics examines how objects move and interact.
• He learned about dynamics in his physics class.
• Understanding dynamics is important for engineering.

Dynamics in a sentence

Focus

Definition: To concentrate on something.

• Please focus on your studies.
• She needs to focus during the test.
• He lost focus while watching TV.

Focus in a sentence

Atmosphere

Definition: The envelope of gases surrounding a planet; also refers to the mood or feeling.

• Earth's atmosphere is essential for supporting life.
• The atmosphere at the concert was electric.
• She enjoyed the cozy atmosphere of the café.

Atmosphere in a sentence

Creativity

Definition: The ability to produce original ideas or things; inventiveness.

• Creativity is important in art and problem-solving.
• She used her creativity to design a poster.
• Encouraging creativity helps students express themselves.

Creativity in a sentence

Collaboration

Definition: working together to achieve a goal

• The collaboration between students was great.
• They focused on collaboration for the project.
• Her collaboration with the artist produced amazing results.

Collaboration in a sentence

Characterization

Definition: the way characters are developed in a story

• Characterization reveals a lot about the characters' motives.
• She enjoyed the characterization in the novel.
• Good characterization makes stories more engaging.

Characterization in a sentence

Subtext

Definition: The underlying meaning or message in a piece of writing or conversation.

• The subtext of her poem revealed deeper emotions.
• He analyzed the subtext in the character's dialogue.
• Understanding subtext adds depth to literary analysis.

Diction

Definition: The choice and use of words in speech or writing.

• Her diction was clear and precise during the presentation.
• Good diction can enhance communication.
• He worked on improving his diction for public speaking.

Diction in a sentence

Empathy

Definition: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

• She showed empathy toward her friend's situation.
• Empathy is important for building strong relationships.
• He learned about empathy in his social studies class.

Empathy in a sentence

Authenticity

Definition: The quality of being genuine or real.

• The authenticity of the artifact was confirmed by experts.
• She values the authenticity of local traditions.
• Ensuring authenticity is crucial for cultural heritage.

Authenticity in a sentence

Resonance

Definition: The quality of being deep, full, and reverberating; also refers to a phenomenon in physics.

• The resonance of the music filled the room.
• Students learned about resonance in sound waves.
• Her voice had a beautiful resonance that captivated the audience.

Resonance in a sentence

Vulnerability

Definition: The quality of being open to harm or damage; susceptibility.

• Being vulnerable can help build strong relationships.
• She shared her vulnerability during the discussion.
• The report highlighted the community's vulnerability to disasters.

Vulnerability in a sentence

Physicality

Definition: The quality of being physical; how physical presence is expressed.

• Physicality is important in sports and performing arts.
• He demonstrated great physicality during the dance performance.
• Understanding physicality can enhance athletic skills.

Physicality in a sentence

Realism

Definition: A style of art or literature that shows life as it is.

• The novel is known for its realism and detail.
• Realism in painting captures everyday life.
• The film's realism made it relatable to viewers.

Realism in a sentence

Tableau

Definition: A striking or artistic arrangement of people or objects; a scene.

• The tableau depicted a famous historical event.
• They created a tableau for the school play.
• Understanding tableau can enhance storytelling.

Tableau in a sentence

Articulation

Definition: The clear and precise pronunciation of words; also refers to the way ideas are expressed.

• Her articulation made her speech easy to understand.
• He practiced articulation to improve his public speaking.
• Understanding articulation enhances communication skills.

Articulation in a sentence

Embodiment

Definition: The tangible or visible form of an idea or quality.

• She is the embodiment of kindness and generosity.
• The statue was an embodiment of the city’s spirit.
• He viewed her as the embodiment of his dreams.

Embodiment in a sentence

Cadence

Definition: the rhythmic flow of a sequence of sounds or words

• The poem had a beautiful cadence when read aloud.
• She admired the cadence of his speech.
• Cadence is important in music and poetry.

Cadence in a sentence

Archetype

Definition: a typical example or model of something

• The hero is an archetype found in many stories.
• She discussed the archetype of the wise old man.
• Understanding archetypes can enhance storytelling.

Archetype in a sentence

Synergy

Definition: The combined effect that is greater than the sum of individual effects.

• The team worked together in synergy to complete the project.
• Synergy can enhance creativity and productivity.
• Finding synergy among team members is crucial for success.

Synergy in a sentence

Intention

Definition: A plan or aim; what someone wants to do.

• Her intention is to help others in need.
• He had good intentions when he offered assistance.
• His intention was to improve his grades this semester.

Intention in a sentence

Rhythm

Definition: A repeated pattern of sounds or movements; the beat in music.

• She danced to the rhythm of the song.
• His heartbeat had a steady rhythm during exercise.
• They learned about rhythm in music class.

Rhythm in a sentence

Tension

Definition: Mental or emotional strain; also refers to pressure between people.

• There was tension in the room during the exam.
• He felt tension in his shoulders after a long day.
• Understanding tension can help manage stress.

Tension in a sentence