Performance Arts Vocabulary

noun a form of physical activity or performance involving agility, balance, and coordination, such as tumbling, contortions, and balancing acts

• The circus performer amazed the audience with her graceful acrobatics.
• I can't believe how cool those acrobatics were at the show last night!
• Did you see that dude bust out some sick acrobatics on the skateboard?
• Her ability to juggle multiple tasks at once is like a mental acrobatics.

adjective describing something that has the power to mesmerize or captivate

• The mesmeric performance by the ballet dancer left the audience in awe.
• The movie was so mesmeric, I couldn't take my eyes off the screen.
• That concert was totally mesmeric, dude!
• His words had a mesmeric effect on her, drawing her in completely.

adverb in a quick and agile manner

• The gymnast moved nimbly across the balance beam with grace and precision.
• She nimbly dodged the puddles as she ran through the park.
• The skateboarder nimbly ollied over the curb and landed smoothly.
• The politician nimbly navigated through the tough questions during the press conference.

noun a musical genre that involves speaking or chanting rhymed lyrics over a beat

verb performing the act of rapping

• The artist showcased his impressive rapping skills during the concert.
• I heard that guy rapping on the street corner yesterday.
• She's always rapping about her problems to anyone who will listen.
• The sound of the rain on the roof was like a gentle rapping, lulling me to sleep.

noun an area next to a boxing or wrestling ring where spectators sit

adjective describing something related to or situated at ringside

• The VIP guests were seated ringside at the boxing match.
• We managed to snag ringside seats for the concert.
• I couldn't believe my luck when I got ringside tickets to the game.
• She always has a ringside view of the drama unfolding in our friend group.

noun a musical piece or passage for one performer

adjective performed by or featuring only one person

• The pianist performed a beautiful solo during the concert.
• I love going on solo hikes in the mountains.
• I'm thinking of going solo to the party tonight.
• Sometimes it's better to tackle challenges solo to prove your independence.

noun a whisper that is loud enough to be heard by the audience but soft enough not to be heard by other actors on stage

• During the play, the actor delivered his lines in a stage whisper to convey a sense of secrecy.
• I heard my name being mentioned in a stage whisper at the party last night.
• She leaned over and gave me the details in a stage whisper so no one else could hear.
• The wind whispered through the trees like a stage whisper, creating an eerie atmosphere.

noun a person who tells jokes or plays tricks on others for amusement; a comedian or prankster

• The police were able to apprehend the notorious gagster who had been terrorizing the city with his pranks.
• I heard that new guy at work is a real gagster, always cracking jokes and making everyone laugh.
• That gagster at the party had everyone in stitches with his hilarious impressions.
• The comedian was a true gagster, able to twist any situation into a humorous anecdote.

noun a person who performs in plays, movies, or television shows

• The actor delivered a powerful performance in the Shakespearean play.
• I heard that actor is going to be in the new movie coming out next month.
• That actor is totally killing it in the TV show right now.
• She is a great actor in the sense that she can adapt to any situation effortlessly.