Tab (short for Tableau Curtain)
A narrow drop curtain or scenery piece used for masking part of the stage, often in a draped or festooned style. If used as an act curtain, it can also be drawn aside. Unlike a profile which can stand alone, a tab accessorize other scenery to change its original look.

Tableau Curtain
See Tab.

Tableau Vivant
A living representation of a picture or scene by a group of appropriately costumed persons posed silently and unmoving. During Easter, tableaux vivants of Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper are quite common.

Take
An exaggerated comedic physical and/or vocal reaction, usually registering surprise. From the phrase, "to do a take." An acceptable form of mugging.

Template
See Gobo.

Ten-Percenter
See Five-Percenter..

Theater-in-the-Round
See Arena Theater.

Theater of the Absurd
20th Century plays in which the human condition is displayed as absurd and that a rational explanation of the universe is beyond humanity's reach. The images of the theater of the absurd have the quality of fantasy or of a dream evolving into a nightmare, portraying the playwright's sense of bewilderment, anxiety, and wonder at the inner self. Such plays often lack logical form in order to convey people's inability to communicate with each other and use humor to set forth pessimistic philosophical themes.

Thespian
(1) A veteran actor or actress. Usually a true thespian is over fifty years of age, has acted professionally for decades, has performed in many plays (as opposed to acting in television or motion pictures) and is a master of Greek and/or Shakespearean roles.
(2) A pretentious youthful actor or actress of limited experience who would rather put on airs of superiority than master his or her craft.

Throwaway Line
A scripted offhand remark or unimportant line spoken during an action. Instead of furthering the action, a throwaway line often is a wisecrack, jest or insightful statement which displays that character's current mental and/or emotional state.

Thrust Stage
A stage extending well beyond the proscenium and is surrounded by the audience on three sides. A thrust is considerably larger than an apron/forestage.

Thunder Sheet
Large suspended steel sheet with handles which produces a thunder-like rumbling when shaken or beaten.

Teaser
A drape or flat piece across the top of the proscenium arch which masks the flies. With the tormentors, they form a frame for the stage opening. See Border.

Torm
See Tormentor.

Tormentor
A curtain or framed structure behind the proscenium on both sides of a stage, used to screen the wings from the audience. Also known as a Torm.

Tragedy
A somber dramatic play dealing with a flaw, mortal weakness or maladjustment of the central character that causes him or her to break a divine law or moral principle which leads to his or her downfall, disgrace and/or catastrophe. Tragic lead characters are often dead or doomed by the end of the play.

Tragicomedy
A dramatic play dealing with elements that are both tragedy and comedy. Often the ending has mixed tragic and comic results, depending upon what has befallen which character.

Trap
Removable or movable sections of the stage floor, used either for special effects or illusions such as a magician's trunk escape or for scenic effects such as sunken stairs. A Hamlet Trap is a trap located downstage center because it is used for the lowering of Ophelia's body into the grave.

Trap Room
The area directly below the stage section used for accessing the traps.

Travelers
Curtains or scenic pieces moving on horizontal tracks, usually hung from the gridiron or attached to the proscenium arch.

Truck
The wheeled platform on which a scene or part of a scene is built to facilitate scene changing. The bottom part of a platform set.

Trod the Boards
An expression meaning that one who has acted and/or performed professionally in the theater. To be a professional actor or entertainer before a live audence.

Troupe
A company of actors, singers, dancers, acrobats or other performers, especially those that usually travel together.

Trouper
A long time member of a troupe, a person experienced and respected in his field. Someone who will "Go on with the show!" despite personal problems, minor injuries, etc.

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