Theatre Glossary: C
Step right up, darlings! It’s ‘curtain up’ on the letter C, where characters chew the scenery, cues are king, and clarity is always your best friend. Whether you're backstage, centre stage, or somewhere in the dress circle with a glass of Merlot and a programme, these are the C-words (the nice kind) every theatre buff should know:
Cabaret
A jazzy little format of live entertainment performed in intimate spaces (think small tables, low lighting, and maybe someone singing torch songs while you sip wine). Ideal for those who like their musicals with a side of martini.
Call
Can mean many things: a time to be somewhere, an instruction from the stage manager, or the thing you ignore at your peril. Miss it, and you’ll feel the glare from across the wings.
Callback
That magical (or terrifying) moment when you're asked back after an audition. A second chance to show you're the star they've been dreaming of. Or at least not not the star.
Cameo
A small role that makes a big splash. Think Judi Dench in Shakespeare in Love, barely there, absolutely unforgettable.
Capacity
The official number of bottoms a theatre can fit in seats. Also known as “how many people we need to sell tickets to before we panic.”
Cast
The collection of brave souls pretending to be other people in front of an audience. Includes leads, ensemble, and that one guy who’s in every show because he owns a van.
Cast List
The sacred scroll posted on the noticeboard after auditions. Will ruin or make your day.
Catcall
Not the kind from a building site. This one's from a disgruntled audience member, and yes, it means they didn’t like your Hamlet.
Center Stage (CS)
The beating heart of the stage. Where the drama peaks, the spotlight shines, and egos inflate.
Center Stage Left (CSL)
The middle of the stage, but towards the audience’s right. Confusing, we know, blame the Elizabethans.
Center Stage Right (CSR)
The opposite of CSL. Still central, still dramatic, just a bit… righty.
Character
The invented person you're pretending to be. Ideally one with depth, flaws, and a cracking monologue.
Character Actor
The magical chameleon who plays the eccentric aunt, the shady landlord, or the lovable weirdo. Never the romantic lead, always the scene-stealer.
Character Part
A role with all the quirks. Think twitchy but loveable. Or morally questionable but hilarious.
Characterisation
The process of bringing your character to life. Not just a funny voice and a limp (though that can work).
Cheating
No, not on your lines. “Cheating out” means facing the audience slightly, even if the script says you’re talking to someone behind you. Because theatre is fake and fabulous.
Choreographer
The unsung hero who turns chaos into coordinated jazz hands.
Choreography
The art of movement. It’s not just dancing, it’s storytelling with your feet (and occasionally a feather boa).
Chorus
Not just backup singers. They’re the heart of the crowd, the pulse of the party, and often the hardest-working folks on stage.
Circle
The upper balcony seating in a theatre. Known for its brilliant views, affordable prices, and occasional vertigo.
Clarity
When the audience actually understands what you're saying. (Projecting in RP helps - you’ll have to wait for our glossary on ‘R’ if you don’t know that one!)
Clearance
The all-clear from Front of House that the audience is in and ready. That’s your five-minute call. Breathe.
Clear Please
A shout to get off the stage or move out of the way before something large, heavy, or dangerous is lowered from above. Usually doesn’t come with a please though…
Close
The bittersweet moment the show ends. Not to be confused with “closing night tears,” a medical condition affecting 98% of actors.
Comedy
A genre intended to make you laugh. Or at least chuckle politely.
Community Theatre
A magical kingdom where volunteers make theatre happen for love, not money. Often better than the West End (and with better cake at the interval).
Company
The entire gang making the magic happen. Cast, crew, creatives, and that person who always brings snacks.
Commedia dell’arte
The Italian granddaddy of improv comedy. Think masks, mischief, and magnificently moustached men falling over.
Conductor
The maestro with the baton. Keeps the orchestra in line, the tempos right, and the actors from jumping cues.
Copyright
The legal reason you can’t rewrite Les Mis with zombies. Protects playwrights and keeps us from getting sued.
Corpsing
When an actor breaks character mid-scene by laughing uncontrollably, thereby reminding the audience that, yes, this is all pretend and we’re barely holding it together. Often contagious.
Costume
The clothes that transform a mild-mannered barista into Lady Macbeth. Or at least into someone who looks fabulous dying dramatically.
Costume Designer
The person who makes sure your costume ‘slays’, in every sense of the word.
Crossover
To move from one side of the stage to the other. With purpose, darling. In some Theatres (including our own) an actual corridor that runs the backside of the stage.
Cross Fade
A gentle blending of lights or sound. Like a theatrical smoothie.
Critic
A theatre-goer with a deadline. Often feared, sometimes fair, occasionally also in the chorus of the rival company.
Crew
The backstage ninjas who make the magic happen. You won’t see them, but without them, you'd be in the dark. Literally.
Cue
Your signal to do something. Miss it, and chaos ensues.
Cue Sheet
The holy grail of the Stage Manager. Tells everyone when to flick the lights, press the smoke machine button, or scream “Go!”
Cue-to-Cue Rehearsal
A thrilling day of jumping from one tech cue to the next - more commonly known as a Technical Rehearsal. Not much acting, but plenty of waiting in costume and eating biscuits.
Curtains
The theatrical veil between real life and stage magic. Comes in many varieties: draw, tab, contour, roll, and drop. But the audience only notices when they don’t open.
Curtain Call
The final bows. Soak it in. Unless you fluffed your lines… then keep it humble.
Curtain Line
The invisible line where the curtain drops. Cross it at your peril.
Curtain Time
The official start time of the show. AKA: when audiences panic about traffic.
Cut
Can mean to delete a line, end a scene, or stop everything immediately. Use wisely.
Cyclorama (Cyc)
A giant, smooth backdrop that creates a mood, a sky, or a whole new world, especially with the right lighting.
From catcalls to cycloramas, we've C-ed it all; curtain calls, cues, critics, and chaos included. Whether you're crossing to centre stage or calling your next cue, you're now cunningly clued-up in the curious lexicon of the craft.
Is this your ‘cue’ to get involved? We’re always looking for new volunteers for all aspects of our Theatre and you’ll learn far more in practice than from an A-Z list! You’ll be amazed at what you can do. See our upcoming Auditions here and reach out to Volunteer here.
Next up? D is for downstage drama, dress rehearsals, dramatic pauses, and a dash of diva.
Stay centred, stay calm… and if all else fails, cheat out and cheesily smile.
