S

Sides- noun- Small sections of a show that are used during auditions to have actors read directly from the script--usually during callbacks. Sides are useful as they also help MT's to understand the quality of the project they are auditioning for.
Cassie: Did you book that callback?
Lily: Yeah, I got offered but I'm not doing it. The sides were whack.

She-Tenor- noun- Any male who sings comfortably at high C and beyond. This can be done by singing in either a full belt or a forward mix belt, but NOT solely a falsetto. The male must be able to sing most (if not all) female belt songs.
Example 1
Chris: I am such a She-Tenor. I Belted Last Midnight in the shower today.
Danny: I can belt Last Midnight with a cold at 8 in the morning, thats not She-Tenor territory. Come back to me when you have Gimme Gimme.
Example 2
Lee: Billy Porter's "Beauty School Drop-Out" just came on my shuffle. I die.
Dan: Not only is he She Tenor-ing the shit out of it, but his beat work is inspired.

Stephanie J. BLOCKED-verb- When a show transfers from a regional or Off-Broadway venue to Broadway and a leading actor or actress is recast. Origins: when Stephanie J. Block was not asked to originate Elphaba on Broadway after doing the show in many readings and workshops. Also referred to as the Stephanie J CockBlock.
Person 1: Wasn't Tony-Winner Adrianne Lenox supposed to be in the First Wives Club musical?
Person 2: Oh, she got Stephanie J. BLOCKED, the original Deena Jones just replaced her.
Person 1: Yes! So dishy!

Stealing Focus-verb- An act performed by an ensemblist who feels under-used, and therefore performs improvisations (i.e. pretends to be drunk, blind or bitchy) that draw attention to them rather than the leading actors. Also known as "scene stealing" or "upstaging"
Ensemblist: Aaaahhh, I'm so drunk now.
Star of the Show: Can someone give this bitch a "note" not to steal my focus again!

Swing-noun- One of the most confusing job descriptions in the theatre world, a swing is an understudy's understudy. In a production, members of the ensemble usually understudy the leads. In the event that an understudy goes on, the swing will fill into that understudy's track during the show. Unlike the understudy, however, the swing is not in the nightly show. Being a swing is a very strenuous job as it means memorizing ALL of the tracks in the show, even the leads and a swing can be called to go on in a moment's notice.
Person 1: Can you believe Norm Lewis started off as a swing?
Person 2: NO!
Person 1: Yeah, this teaches you to be good to your ensemblists. They could end up more famous than you!

Stage Mom- noun- Belligerent, undersexed middle aged women who are too heavily involved in their children's careers. The line between supportive Mom and Stage Mom is very thick, as supportive moms do not require straight jackets. Stage Moms can often be seen backstage, updating their child's promotional website, photoshopping their child's headshots and avoiding productions of Gypsy at ALL COSTS. Example: Little Miss Brissman sauntered into her W'Oz audition sporting the dress, the braids, the slippers, and she even had the dog; clearly this was the doing of her stage mom.
I wish I had a Stage Mom. I need someone to find me the perfect sixteen bars for all of my auditions.

Sitzprobe- noun- The first time the cast of a musical performs with their entire orchestra in a rehearsal setting. Until this point in rehearsals, MT's have only sung with a piano and accompanist--the added excitement of a full orchestra almost always means top-notch vocal production.

"I'm obsessed with watching the sitzprobe videos of the HAIR cast on their website."

Split Center- verb- For two actors to share center stage, usually for an ingenue and
mangenue during final bows. A director will either never use this term or use it ad
nauseum.
"Shelly and Mike split center. Then Joe and Sue bow and split center. I want these
tables during act 2 to split center. Can we get some spike tape?"

Struggles- insult- This is an insult that describes anything in an MT's life of sub-par
quality. It can be used as a single word to encompass many ideas. Struggles. 2. It can
oftentimes be abbreviated simply as Struggs. 3. It can also be used with a well placed
"the" to denote things of particular disgustingness.
Person 1: What did you think of the sound at the 2009 Tony Awards.
Person 2: Oof, that was the struggle.


Singing Chorus-noun- An antiquated system in which there are seperate choruses
that sing and dance. This need was eliminated by the regularity and economic
convenience of triple threats.

Sondheim Actress- noun- An actor or actress who exhibits brills singing and acting
skills, but should never be seen at a dance call.
"I don't know why they sent me in for "A Chorus Line", I'm poster-child for Sondheim
Actresses."

Stage Manager-n- Angry women (usually lesbian) who were heavily involved in high
school theatre. Their exorbitant passion combined with their minimal theatre skill make
them cranky bitches guilty of LaDuca Envy. Pleasant Stage Managers may be found,
but are extremely rare.
"Brenda is such a nice person, I can hardly believe she's a Stage Manager!"

Stock- noun- Shows performed usually during summertime in places such as West
Virginia and New England. Stock companies produce a season of shows that
combines fresh non-equity ensemblists with equity leads.
"I'm so excited for Stock this summer, but I have to do a historical drama as part of my
contract. Shit!"

Special- noun- A single light that shines downward onto stage in the shape of a circle.
Director: Sheila, please step on the spike tape. Otherwise you're completely out of the
special. We want Sheila, not shadows!

"Sell It"-verb- 1. To rip the shit out of a performance. "I'm just over here sellin' it!" 2. To
rise above poor material, "I'm playing Milky White at the CLO. No lines, but I'll sell it." 3.
a compliment to be shouted out during cabaret performances "You better sell it."

Showmance- noun-A romance that occurs over the production of the show. These
relationships usually do not last past strike.
"Ken and Bill are still together. They met doing Zorba. Classic showmance."

Stage Voice- noun- Voice used during auditions, monologues, and while onstage.
This voice is similar to an actor's real voice but slightly altered; usually with better
diction and higher tone.
"Lisa is such a fake. Whenever she talks to me she uses her stage voice."

Star- noun- The highest compliment to be paid to another actor. "Harry, you're a
star." 2. collective acknowledgement of fierceness "We are stars."

Slate-verb- To state your name and selections before an audition. This is a prime
chance for stage voice.

Straight Tone-verb- To sing without using vibrato. While vibrato is a prime sign of a
skilled singer, one who can straight tone without going flat should be lauded just as
equally. "Alicia Morton in that Annie remake reminds me why straight tone is so fierce"
2. an insult to an untrained singer with a screechy voice: "I hate Freda's voice. If I
wanted to hear straight tone screeching I would've stayed in middle school."

Savage-adjective- Compliment usually applied to whistle tones. "This show needs to
start! I have been jones-ing for some fierce riffs and savage whistle tones."

So Real- term used when things onstage mimic offstage occurrence.
When they cast that ugly girl as Fosca in Passion? That was so real.

Shill- noun- A person who trolls message boards with the intent of promoting one
show and one show alone 2. any person whose sole actions consist of talking about
one particular show
On a broadwayworld.com message board:
ElphabaGlinda234: Have you guys seen Wicked? It' s an amazing show. They sell out
nightly. I would book my tickets now if I were you! I'm serious.
Old Broadway Queen: Ladies, it's getting shill-y in here.