Performing Arts Vocabulary

noun a person who performs gymnastics or other physical feats requiring skill, agility, and coordination

• The acrobat performed a series of impressive flips and twists during the circus act.
• Did you see that acrobat doing all those crazy stunts at the show?
• That acrobat is a total ninja on the trapeze!
• She's an acrobat when it comes to juggling multiple tasks at work.

noun a playful or silly act or trick

adjective playful or silly in a playful way

• The actor's antic behavior on stage was met with mixed reviews from the critics.
• I can't believe the antic my dog pulled when I left him alone for five minutes!
• That antic at the party last night was wild!
• Her antic of quitting her job without notice left everyone in shock.

noun a large room or hall where an audience gathers to hear a speaker or watch a performance

• The graduation ceremony will be held in the school's auditorium.
• Let's meet at the auditorium for the concert tonight.
• I heard there's a cool event happening at the auditorium, wanna check it out?
• His mind was like an empty auditorium, echoing with the silence of lost memories.

noun a type of performance dance that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century

• The ballet performance at the theater was exquisite and well-rehearsed.
• I love watching ballet because the dancers make it look so effortless and graceful.
• Have you seen that new ballet video? It's lit!
• Her movements were like a ballet, fluid and precise.

noun a type of entertainment featuring music, dance, comedy, and typically performed in a nightclub or restaurant

adjective relating to or characteristic of a cabaret

• The cabaret performance showcased a variety of talented singers and dancers.
• Let's go check out that cabaret show downtown, it's supposed to be really fun!
• I heard that new cabaret joint is lit, we should definitely hit it up.
• Her life felt like a chaotic cabaret, with different acts and dramas unfolding every day.

noun a large public entertainment, typically presented in one or more very large tents or in an outdoor or indoor arena, featuring exhibitions of pageantry, feats of skill and daring, performing animals, etc.

• The circus performers showcased their incredible skills under the big top.
• I can't wait to go see the circus with you next weekend!
• The circus was lit last night, the acrobats were amazing!
• Her life felt like a circus with all the chaos and drama happening around her.

adjective describing someone who lacks coordination or is awkward in movement

• The clumsy waiter spilled water on the customer's lap.
• I'm so clumsy, I keep dropping things everywhere.
• She's such a klutz, always tripping over her own feet.
• His clumsy attempt at flirting left her unimpressed.

noun a twisted or bent condition, state, or form

• The contortion of her body was a result of years of intense yoga practice.
• She can do crazy contortions with her body, it's like she's made of rubber!
• I saw a contortionist at the circus who could bend in ways I didn't think were possible.
• The contortion of the truth in his story made it hard to believe.

noun a final appearance or performance, especially at the end of a play or concert

• The actors took their final bow during the curtain call.
• Did you see how the audience cheered during the curtain call?
• The cast killed it during the curtain call!
• The project's completion felt like a curtain call for our hard work.

noun an ornamental border of threads left loose or formed into tassels or twists, used to edge clothing or material

verb to decorate with a fringe

adjective not part of the mainstream; unconventional or peripheral

adverb in a fringe manner or style

• The fringe of the carpet was starting to unravel, so I had to trim it carefully.
• She always likes to wear fringe on her jackets for a bohemian look.
• I'm not really into that fringe music scene, but some of my friends love it.
• His ideas were on the fringe of acceptable thinking, pushing boundaries in the academic world.

noun a medieval entertainer who traveled from place to place, performing juggling, acrobatics, and other entertainments

• The jongleur entertained the royal court with his impressive juggling skills.
• The jongleur wowed the crowd with his juggling act.
• That jongleur is a real pro at tossing those objects in the air.
• She was a jongleur of words, effortlessly weaving tales that captivated her audience.

noun a form of theatrical entertainment in which performers express emotions and actions through gestures without speech

verb to imitate or mimic someone or something without using words

• The mime artist performed a silent act at the cultural festival.
• I saw a mime on the street today pretending to be stuck in a box.
• Check out that mime over there, he's hilarious!
• Her facial expressions were like a mime, revealing every emotion without words.

noun a person who mimics or imitates others for entertainment

verb to mimic or imitate someone or something

• The mimer at the theater troupe was able to perfectly imitate famous actors.
• The mimer at the party had everyone laughing with their funny gestures.
• The mimer on TikTok is so good at lip-syncing to popular songs.
• She was a mimer of emotions, always putting on a different face for different situations.

verb the act of performing a silent theatrical performance using gestures and body movements instead of words

• The actor demonstrated his miming skills during the theater performance.
• She's really good at miming, you should see her in action!
• I heard that guy is a pro at miming, he can make you believe anything!
• Sometimes it feels like I'm just miming my way through life, not really living.

noun a person who performs a monologue, a form of dramatic entertainment or storytelling where one person speaks alone

• The monologist captivated the audience with his solo performance.
• The monologist was really good at telling stories on stage.
• That monologist dude can talk non-stop for hours!
• She is like a monologist when it comes to sharing her opinions.

noun a building or theater specifically designed for the production and performance of operas

• The opera house is a beautiful venue for classical music performances.
• Let's go check out a show at the opera house this weekend.
• The opera house is where all the fancy people go to watch fancy shows.
• Her mind was like an opera house, full of drama and intrigue.

noun a form of entertainment in which a story is told through singing and music

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

adverb not applicable

pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

article not applicable

• The opera house is known for hosting world-class performances.
• I'm thinking of going to the opera this weekend, wanna join?
• The opera last night was lit, I couldn't stop tapping my foot!
• Life is like an opera, full of drama and emotion.

verb to practice or repeat in preparation for a performance or presentation

• The actors gathered in the theater to rehearse their lines for the upcoming play.
• Let's rehearse the dance routine one more time before the show.
• We need to rehearse our presentation so we don't mess up in front of the boss.
• It's important to rehearse your responses before going into a difficult conversation.

noun A theatrical entertainment consisting of a series of short sketches, songs, and dances, typically dealing satirically with topical issues.

verb Not applicable

adjective Not applicable

adverb Not applicable

pronoun Not applicable

preposition Not applicable

conjunction Not applicable

interjection Not applicable

article Not applicable

• The local theater is putting on a revue showcasing the best talent in the area.
• I heard there's a comedy revue happening at the comedy club tonight.
• Let's catch that new revue at the jazz bar, I heard it's really good.
• The political revue in the media has been a source of controversy lately.

adjective describing or relating to rhythm; having a strong rhythm or beat

• The orchestra played a beautiful rhythmical piece that captivated the audience.
• I love dancing to rhythmical music, it's so much fun!
• The beat of that song is so rhythmical, I can't help but bob my head to it.
• Her speech was so rhythmical and captivating, it felt like poetry in motion.

noun a female performer in a theatrical production or entertainment show

• The show girl dazzled the audience with her stunning dance routine.
• Did you see that show girl's performance? It was amazing!
• That show girl really knows how to work the stage.
• She's like a show girl, always putting on a show for everyone.

noun a person who sings, especially as a profession

• The singer delivered a flawless performance at the opera house.
• I heard that singer is going on tour next month.
• That singer has some serious pipes!
• The singer's voice was like honey, sweet and smooth.

noun A frivolous or elaborate story or explanation that is often lengthy or exaggerated

• The theater production featured a captivating song and dance number.
• We were treated to a fun song and dance routine at the party.
• The musical had some killer song and dance sequences that blew me away.
• The politician's speech was just a lot of song and dance, with no real substance.

noun a person who writes songs

• The song writer carefully crafted the lyrics to convey a powerful message.
• My friend is a talented song writer and always comes up with catchy tunes.
• That song writer is straight fire, every track they drop is a hit!
• As a song writer of life, she weaves stories with melodies that touch the soul.

noun a performance presented on a stage, typically involving actors or musicians

• The stage show featured a talented cast of actors and actresses.
• I heard the stage show last night was amazing!
• That stage show was lit, everyone was on point!
• Life is like a stage show, with different acts and characters playing their roles.

noun a performer or actor who travels from place to place, usually performing in the streets or small venues

• The strolling player entertained the crowd with a variety of performances.
• The strolling player was really good at keeping the audience engaged.
• That strolling player sure knows how to put on a show!
• In life, we are all just strolling players on a grand stage.

noun a person who acts in a play or movie

adjective relating to drama and acting

• The thespian delivered a powerful monologue in the Shakespearean play.
• My friend is a talented thespian and always steals the show in our school plays.
• That thespian is so dramatic, always overacting in every scene.
• As a thespian of life, she always plays her role with grace and poise.

noun a performer in vaudeville, a type of variety entertainment popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries

• The vaudevillian performer captivated the audience with their comedic timing and physicality.
• I heard that vaudevillian acts were really popular back in the day.
• That vaudevillian routine was a real knee-slapper!
• Her storytelling style was like that of a vaudevillian, keeping the audience engaged and entertained.

noun A female ballet dancer

• The danseuse gracefully performed a ballet routine on stage.
• The danseuse looked stunning in her performance last night.
• That danseuse has some serious moves!
• The danseuse moved with such fluidity, she seemed like a living sculpture.

noun a section of a play, especially a musical, that is performed without interruption

• The act curtain fell gracefully at the end of the performance.
• We can chill backstage until the act curtain goes up.
• Let's sneak a peek behind the act curtain before the show starts.
• The act curtain symbolizes the beginning and end of each chapter in life.

noun a piece of fabric or similar material that is lowered to the stage to indicate the end of an act or scene in a play

verb to lower the act drop at the end of an act or scene in a play

• The act drop signaled the end of the play.
• When the act drop came down, everyone knew it was time to leave.
• The act drop was like the mic drop of the theater world.
• As the act drop fell, it felt like a curtain closing on that chapter of my life.

noun a performer of aerial stunts in an aircraft

• The aerobat performed a series of intricate maneuvers during the air show.
• I heard that aerobat is going to do some crazy stunts at the event.
• That aerobat is a real daredevil up in the sky.
• Being an aerobat in the business world requires taking risks and pushing boundaries.