Drama: "Drama" by Raina Telgemeier

by Raina Telgemeier
In this popular graphic novel, Callie works on the stage crew of her school's spring musical while trying to navigate friendships and crushes.

Here is a link to our lists for other works by Raina Telgemeier: Smile, Sisters
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. overture
    orchestral music at the beginning of an opera or musical
    Overture
  2. fiasco
    a complete failure or collapse
    Do you think Mr. Madera will let me operate the spotlight again?
    Why wouldn't he?
    After last year's fiasco?
  3. concussion
    injury to the brain caused by a blow
    Matt, it's not like you gave him a concussion—you just bumped into him!
  4. recital
    performance of music or dance especially by soloists
    I tried to go to most of her lame dance recitals...
  5. production
    presentation for the stage or screen or radio or television
    The music director and I have finally chosen this year's spring musical production.
  6. sentimental
    marked by tender, romantic, or nostalgic emotion
    Audiences love a sentimental story.
  7. tragedy
    drama exciting terror or pity
    But what about Shakespeare? His most successful plays were tragedies.
  8. unrequited
    not returned in kind
    Unrequited love stories, maybe...
  9. gazebo
    a small roofed building affording shade and rest
    Beyond that, we need a gazebo and an interior and exterior for the house.
  10. progressive
    favoring or promoting modern or innovative ideas
    Eucalyptus may be a progressive middle school, but having real pyrotechnics will never fly.
  11. pyrotechnic
    a device with an explosive with colored flames
    Eucalyptus may be a progressive middle school, but having real pyrotechnics will never fly.
  12. modest
    humble in spirit or manner
    You're so modest. Jessie is very talented. He's just shy.
  13. obedient
    dutifully complying with the commands of those in authority
    He still wants me to be the obedient son, and next year, when we're in high school, I'm sure I'll have to disappear into the books again, forever.
  14. bonnet
    a hat tied under the chin
    Making bonnets for the ladies shouldn't be too difficult.
  15. recruit
    any new member or supporter, as in the armed forces
    Stage crew is looking for a few recruits.
  16. maiden
    an unmarried woman or girl
    How then, could a maiden so fair, be ashamed of a man like me...
  17. logistics
    supplying an operation with labor and materials as needed
    We're trying to figure out the logistics of building a cannon for the stage.
  18. corridor
    an enclosed passageway
    This corridor has great acoustics.
  19. formal
    a lavish dance requiring full dress
    You should at least go to your eighth grade formal! You'd have a good time.
  20. vault
    a strongroom or compartment for safekeeping of valuables
    I need to go into the costume vault and look for some stuff.
  21. garment
    an article of clothing
    I'm going to have to construct a few garments from scratch, but I found a decent stash of fabric in this box.
  22. backdrop
    scenery hung at the rear of a stage
    Are you helping Loren rig up the backdrops today?
  23. petticoat
    undergarment worn under a skirt
    Okay. Six skirts to make, each one big enough to support a full hoop and a petticoat...
  24. specialize
    devote oneself to a particular area of work
    Anyway, I read about this place online—they specialize in all sorts of theater stuff.
  25. architecture
    the discipline dealing with the design of fine buildings
    They have a costume section, a set architecture section, a sheet music section...
  26. loom
    hang over, as of something threatening, dark, or menacing
    Nada? Not looming graduation, baseball games, nothing?
  27. entr'acte
    the interlude between two sections of a play
    Entr'acte
  28. compromise
    an accommodation in which both sides make concessions
    Callie and Sanjay, ready for the cannon run-through?
    You mean the compromise cannon?
  29. faulty
    having a defect
    Uh, no. Worse than a faulty prop—we haven't exactly sold a lot of tickets to the show yet.
  30. promote
    make publicity for; try to sell
    So starting tomorrow, we've got to help the cast promote this thing like crazy.
  31. threadbare
    thin and tattered with age
    Bonnie's skirt doesn't fit, Justin's pants need hemming, Percy grew two inches since his fitting, West's jacket is threadbare and I keep losing buttons, I forgot to iron Jessica's bodice before I fixed that boning and it's always wrinkled...
  32. ensemble
    a cast other than the principals
    When the ensemble marches stage left, they reveal you with the cannon so that's the cue!
  33. slack
    a noticeable deterioration in performance or quality
    I told her I wasn't always going to be around to pick up her slack.
  34. brigade
    army unit smaller than a division
    We are the 86th Brigade, how do you do?
  35. cue
    a reminder for some action or speech
    Can you hold off the cue, Loren? For a minute.
  36. kernel
    the choicest or most vital part of some idea or experience
    A kernel of wisdom, from a colonel like me...
  37. colonel
    a commissioned officer in the Army or Air Force or Marines
    A kernel of wisdom, from a colonel like me...
  38. alternate
    someone who takes the place of another person
    Where on earth is the alternate?
  39. impose
    inflict something unpleasant
    Is your brother joining us, Jessie?
    I don't think he'd want to impose...
  40. ambitious
    requiring full use of your abilities or resources
    You had an ambitious plan, you saw it through, and put in all the work to make it as good as you could.
Created on Wed Nov 28 11:46:35 EST 2018 (updated Thu Nov 29 15:16:08 EST 2018)

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