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Actor's cue

Device
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A signal or instruction within dramatic verse for a performer's action

Detailed Definition
Actor's cue represents a textual signal within dramatic poetry or verse drama that indicates when a performer should speak, move, or react. These cues may be embedded within the verse itself through contextual references, direct address, or structural breaks that guide the theatrical interpretation and timing of the performance without explicit stage directions.
Example
Example in poetry:
Stage directions embedded within dramatic verse instructing performers; Lines like "Exit, pursued by a bear" in Shakespeare's plays; Textual prompts for actor movements or emotions within poetic drama; Instructions for delivery embedded in verse dialogue
Additional Notes
A line or passage in verse that signals when an actor should speak or move, common in verse drama and poetic plays.
Also Known As
Performance cue Stage signal Theatrical prompt Didascalia
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