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Essential Vocabulary for the GRE - Behind the Scenes

Here you will learn some English words about drama, such as "soliloquy", "revival", "balcony", etc. that are needed for the GRE exam.

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Essential Words Needed for the GRE
community theater

the activity of acting in or producing a play in a theater as a hobby and not a profession

Ex: The community theater group put on a production of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at the local high school auditorium. 
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ad lib
ad lib
[noun]

a line that is recited in a speech or performance without prior preparation

Ex: The actor's quick wit saved the scene when he forgot his line, delivering a perfectly timed ad lib that had the audience roaring with laughter. 
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comedy of manners

a comic play, movie, book, etc. that portrays the behaviors of a particular social class, satirizing them

Ex: "Emma" by Jane Austen explores matchmaking in Regency England, a classic comedy of manners. 
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montage
montage
[noun]

a technique or process of selecting, editing, and pasting separate footage in order to create a motion picture

Ex: The filmmaker used a montage to depict the protagonist's journey through different cities. 
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premiere
premiere
[noun]

the first public screening or performance of a movie or play

Ex: The red carpet was rolled out for the premiere of the highly anticipated blockbuster movie. 
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melodrama
melodrama
[noun]

a dramatic genre characterized by exaggerated emotions, intense conflicts, etc., often trying to create strong emotional reactions in the audience

Ex: The movie descended into melodrama in the final act, with characters delivering over-the-top speeches and indulging in exaggerated emotional outbursts. 
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matinee
matinee
[noun]

a musical or dramatic performance that takes place in daytime, especially in the afternoon

Ex: Editors use matinee to refine pacing and maintain audience engagement throughout the movie. 
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curtain call

the time after a play or show has just ended when the performers come to the stage to receive the applause of the audience

Ex: As the final notes of the musical faded away, the audience erupted into applause, signaling the start of the eagerly anticipated curtain call. 
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to dramatize

to turn a book, story, or an event into a movie or play

Ex: Historical accounts of great leaders are often dramatized in biographical films to engage modern audiences. 
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surtitle
surtitle
[noun]

translated words projected above or next to the stage on a screen in an opera or play

Ex: The surtitles displayed translations of the dialogue for non-native speakers in the audience. 
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soliloquy
soliloquy
[noun]

a speech that a character in a dramatic play gives in the form of a monologue as a series of inner reflections spoken out loud

Ex: The actor delivered the soliloquy with intensity, allowing the audience to glimpse the character's innermost thoughts and emotions. 
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stage direction

a text in the script of a play, giving an instruction regarding the movement, position, etc. of actors

Ex: The stage direction called for a prop to be placed center stage before the next scene. 
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revival
revival
[noun]

a new performance of something old that has not been performed for a long time, such as a play

Ex: Critics praised the production's authenticity in the revival of the ancient Greek tragedy "Medea." 
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to prompt
to prompt
[Verb]

to assist someone by suggesting the next words or actions they may have forgotten or not fully learned

Ex: During the play rehearsal, the director prompted the actor who had momentarily forgotten their lines. 
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to enact
to enact
[Verb]

to act a role in a motion picture or perform a play on stage

Ex: She will enact the lead role in the upcoming romantic comedy. 
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interpretation

a representation that an actor or a performer gives of an artistic or musical piece that shows their understanding and feeling toward it

Ex: His interpretation of the character brought new depth and complexity to the stage production, earning him critical acclaim. 
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to overact

to act a role in an exaggerated way that is not natural

Ex: He tends to overact by emphasizing every line with dramatic gestures. 
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to miscast

to assign the roles of a play, motion picture, etc. to unsuitable actors

Ex: By the time they realized it, they had already miscast the key role. 
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read-through

a preparatory session during which actors read the words of a play before beginning to practice it on the stage

Ex: The cast gathered around a table for the read-through, eagerly flipping through their scripts and preparing to bring their characters to life. 
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to put on
to put on
[Verb]

to stage a play, a show, etc. for an audience

Ex: The school decided to put on a play about environmental awareness. 
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rehearsal
rehearsal
[noun]

a session of practice in which performers prepare themselves for a public performance of a concert, play, etc.

Ex: The actors gathered for their final rehearsal before the opening night of the play. 
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to portray

to play the role of a character in a movie, play, etc.

Ex: She portrayed the protagonist in the critically acclaimed film, earning praise for her nuanced performance. 
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adaptation

a movie, TV program, etc. that is based on a book or play

Ex: The film adaptation of the bestselling novel stayed true to the book's plot and characters. 
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art director

someone who is in charge of the artistic features, such as props and costumes of a movie or play

Ex: The art director oversees the visual elements of a film, ensuring consistency and creativity in every scene. 
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dramatist
dramatist
[noun]

someone who writes plays for the TV, radio, or theater

Ex: The theater company invited a talented dramatist to write an original script for their upcoming production. 
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balcony
balcony
[noun]

an upper floor in a theater or cinema where there are seats for the audience

Ex: The best seats in the theater were in the balcony, offering a clear view of the stage. 
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offstage
offstage
[Adjective]

situated out of sight of the audience, typically in the wings or backstage

Ex: Offstage whispers hinted at the upcoming plot twist. 
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set piece
set piece
[noun]

a set of scenes in a motion picture, novel, etc. that could be regarded independently and are very elaborate or complex

Ex: The grand ballroom set piece towered over the stage, adorned with crystal chandeliers and opulent furnishings, transporting the audience to a lavish 19th-century soiree. 
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blockbuster

a thing that achieves great widespread popularity or financial success, particularly a movie, book, or other product

Ex: The new superhero movie became a blockbuster, earning over $1 billion at the box office. 
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cinematography

the art and methods of film-making, especially the photographic aspect and camerawork

Ex: The cinematography in the action sequence was dynamic and visually captivating. 
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costume drama

a motion picture or theatrical production with a historical setting in which the actors wear the costume appropriate to that time period

Ex: The costume drama depicted the court intrigue of medieval Europe with stunning accuracy. 
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credit
credit
[noun]

(plural) a list of names at the start or end of a TV program or movie acknowledging the people involved in its production

Ex: The credits rolled as the audience applauded the cast and crew. 
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to fictionalize

to turn real events or situations into a tale or story, often by changing or adding to the details

Ex: The author fictionalized her childhood experiences in her bestselling novel. 
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film noir
film noir
[noun]

a type of movie involving crime including shadowy footage and dark background music that depicted cynical characters caught in dangerous situations

Ex: "Double Indemnity" is a classic film noir that follows an insurance salesman who becomes involved in a murder plot with a femme fatale, leading to betrayal and deception. 
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fourth wall

an imaginary barrier that separates the mise en scene and the fictional characters from the audience, especially in a theatrical performance

Ex: Breaking the fourth wall, the character addressed the audience directly, inviting them into the inner workings of the play and blurring the line between fiction and reality. 
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intermission

a short pause between parts of a play, movie, etc.

Ex: The orchestra performed a lively piece during the intermission to entertain the audience. 
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interlude
interlude
[noun]

a short interval between parts of a play, movie, etc.

Ex: During the interlude, the stage was rearranged for the second act. 
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epilogue
epilogue
[noun]

a short address to the audience by an actor at the conclusion of a play, frequently in verse

Ex: The actor delivered a humorous epilogue to lighten the mood after the tragedy. 
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understudy

an actor who practices the lines of another actor in order to replace them if necessary

Ex: The understudy stepped into the lead role at the last minute when the main actor fell ill. 
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telefilm
telefilm
[noun]

a movie that is intended to be broadcast on TV, rather than being projected on the screen

Ex: She starred in a romantic telefilm that aired last weekend on a popular channel. 
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