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Definition
| Curtain usually closest to the proscenium, which when opened reveals the scene of playing area to the audience. Also called Front Curtain, Main Curtain, Working Curtain, or Grand Curtain. |
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Definition
| The area of the stage where the play is performed. Also called the playing area. |
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Definition
| To secure a set piece to the stage floor. |
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Definition
| Stage area in front of the proscenium. |
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Definition
| The metal frame that holds the counterweights. Also called the Carriage, Counterweight Carriage, or Cradle. |
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Definition
| A stage in which the audience is seated on all four sides. Also called Theatre in the Round. |
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Definition
| A large piece of canvas hung from a batten and painted to represent a particular scenic element. Also called a Drop. |
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Definition
| The area away from the acting area, including dressing rooms and the green room. Also called Offstage. |
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Definition
| A type of lighting instrument that has no lens, used to emit a powerful beam of light with no diffused light. |
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Definition
| A rapid extinguishing of all light on stage. |
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Definition
| The movement and business of an actor on stage. |
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Definition
| Two flats hinged together in order to be self-supporting when folded on the hinge. Also called Book Flat and Two-fold. |
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Definition
| In scenery, material hung at the top of the set to hide the fly system from the audience. Also called the Teaser. In lights, lighting instruments hung on battens over the stage area. |
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Definition
| A set that utilizes three walls to enclose the stage area. |
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Definition
| A prop that is specifically made to break at a certain point in the play. |
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Definition
| Electrical cord used on circuiting lighting instruments to other stage devices requiring electricity. |
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Term
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Definition
| The notification to cast and crew of rehearsal or performances. Also, the countdown to curtain provided by stage management, usually half-hour call, fifteen minute call, five minute call, and places. |
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Term
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Definition
| The bulletin board used by SMs to post any information pertinent to actors and crew, such as rehearsal schedules and costume fittings. |
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Definition
| A small wheel used on scenery and scenic equipment for ease of shifting. |
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Definition
| An immobile platform above the stage that reaches from one end of the stage, or house, to the other, used to gain access to the stage equipment. |
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Definition
| An imaginary or real line that divides the stage area into two equal parts, running from downstage to upstage. |
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Definition
| The middle area of the performance space. |
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Definition
| A piece of 1/4" plywood cut in the shape of a triangle, used to connect the stile to the rail on a flat. Also called a Triangle or Corner. |
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Definition
| A type of rigging that uses weights to counterbalance horizontal battens containing scenery, curtains, or lighting instruments. |
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Term
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Definition
| In blocking, to move from one area of the stage to another. |
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Definition
| A signal for the stage manager that puts into action a shift in lights, sound, or scenery. |
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Definition
| Specific lights used by the SM to cue backstage technicians and actors. |
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Term
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Definition
| The page(s) used to note the cues given by the stage manager to the different technicians. |
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Term
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Definition
| In addition to its normal definition relating to draperies, a term used to indicate the start or end of a performance such as "Five minutes to curtain!" (five minutes to the start of the performance). |
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Definition
| 1) The line on the stage floor where the front curtain touches when brought in. 2) The final line in the play. Also called the Tag Line. |
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Term
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Definition
| Type of powerful lighting instruments used to light the cyc with a smooth wash. |
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Term
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Definition
| To decrease the intensity of a stage light. |
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Term
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Definition
| An electrical apparatus used to control the intensity of the lightning instrument to which it is circuited. Found on the lighting board. |
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Definition
| The area of the stage closest to the audience. |
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Term
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Definition
| Designated time when the costumes are worn by the actors under stage lights in order for the director and costume designer to make any necessary changes or improvements to the costumes. |
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Term
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Definition
| Crew person assigned to help with quick changes and general maintenance of costumes throughout the run of the show. |
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Definition
| The decoration of the set with items that are principally for aesthetic purposes only. |
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Definition
| A technical rehearsal without actors. |
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Definition
| Thin strips of cloth used to mask cracks between flats. |
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Term
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Definition
| A theater technician who installs and/or operates the lighting for a production. |
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Term
| Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlight (ERS) |
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Definition
| A type of lighting instrument that emits a hard-edged circle of light. Commonly called Leko. |
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Definition
| A stage in which the audience is seated on two opposite sides of the audience. |
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Definition
| A lighting instrument that projects a diffused, unfocused beam of light. Used for general illumination. |
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Term
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Definition
| A constructed proscenium that fits inside the permanent proscenium. |
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Term
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Definition
| Light used to illuminate shadowy areas. |
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Term
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Definition
| A nonflammable curtain hung directly behind the proscenium that protects the audience from fire or smoke emitted from the stage. May be the same as the Act Curtain. Also called the Asbestos Curtain or the Fireproof Curtain. |
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Definition
| The first row of lights hung on a batten behind the proscenium. Also called X-ray Border, First Border, Teaser Border, or Concert Border. |
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Term
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Definition
| A wooden frame covered in cloth or wood, usually rectangular. |
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Term
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Definition
| The area above the stage that contains lines to be raised or lowered. |
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Term
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Definition
| A small iron box containing an electrical outlet, sunk into the stage floor. |
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Term
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Definition
| To lower or raise lines hung from the grid that are affixed with scenery or stage equipment. |
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Term
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Definition
| A platform that runs above the stage on one side, used in the operation of fly lines. |
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Term
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Definition
| Crew person in charge of raising and lowering the flies. |
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Term
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Definition
| To direct and lock down a lighting instrument in its specified stage area. |
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Term
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Definition
| A hand-operated lighting instrument mounted on a swivel stand that emits a high intensity beam of light, used to follow an actor on stage. |
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Term
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Definition
| Strip lights used for general lighting. May be permanent or mobile. |
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Term
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Definition
| An imaginary wall between the actors and the audience that disallows interaction between the two. |
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Term
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Definition
| Scene that begins and ends with an actor's entrance or exit. |
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Term
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Definition
| A type of lighting instrument that emits a soft-edged, diffused light. |
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Term
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Definition
| A scale drawing that gives the front view of the set. |
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Term
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Definition
| Transparent material used to color the lights. |
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Term
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Definition
| A light left on when the theatre is locked up for the night. |
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Term
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Definition
| Tape that glows in the dark, placed in small pieces around the set so the actors and crew will not bump into anything during a blackout. |
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Term
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Definition
| A backstage room used by actors and crew as a waiting and meeting area. |
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Term
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Definition
| A steel framework above the stage from which the fly system is rigged. Also called the Gridiron. |
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Term
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Definition
| Crew member who moves scenery. |
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Term
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Definition
| A heavy piece of muslin used to cover the stage floor. Also called Floor Cloth. |
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Term
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Definition
| A scale diagram that shows where the scenery is placed on the stage floor. Also called a Floor Plan. |
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Term
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Definition
| A short piece of scenery, usually self-supporting, placed in front of the backdrop of cyc to mask stage equipment. Also called Cutout. |
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Term
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Definition
| The 30 minute warning to places. |
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Term
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Definition
| The action of a crew member handing a prop to an actor at a designated time and place during a performance. |
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Term
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Definition
| Properties that are handled by actors during the performance. |
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Term
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Definition
| The part of the theatre where the audience sits. |
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Term
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Definition
| A term used for any lighting device. |
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Term
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Definition
| A list of the types of lighting instruments to be used in a show. Also called a Hookup Sheet. |
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Term
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Definition
| A triangular-shaped brace used to support scenery. |
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Term
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Definition
| A narrow flat, usually between one and four feet. |
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Term
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Definition
| A support board suspended horizontally to provide support for a platform. |
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Term
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Definition
| A 1/4" piece of plywood used to connect the stile to the toggle bar on a flat. |
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Term
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Definition
| Narrow curtains or cloth that hang vertically on the sides of the stage to mask the backstage area. Also called Tormentors. |
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Term
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Definition
| The console that controls all the lighting instruments. Also called the Dimmer Board and Switchboard. |
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Term
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Definition
| A drawn-up plan that designates the placement of lighting instruments relative to the set. |
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Term
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Definition
| Cords hung from the grid, used to fly scenery and stage equipment. |
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Term
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Definition
| To hide stage equipment or the offstage area through the use of curtains, flats, etc. |
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Term
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Definition
| A hard material used commonly for decking. |
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Term
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Definition
| Medium Density Fiberboard. Used underneath the decking of a platform to muffle the sound of footsteps. |
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Term
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Definition
| Material used in the construction of flats. |
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Term
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Definition
| When either the SM or an assistant follows the script in order to help actors who stumble over lines. |
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Term
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Definition
| Oriented Strand Board. A strong, thick board often used for platforming. |
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Term
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Definition
| The tempo of the performance. |
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Term
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Definition
| A meeting between director, designers, and stage management to define and record the series of technical events required to operate the production. |
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Term
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Definition
| Three-sided flats that can be rotated to depict three different scenes. |
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Term
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Definition
| A rail connected to the fly gallery used in the securing of fly lines. |
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Term
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Definition
| The area below the front of the stage. May be used to house the orchestra. Also called the Orchestra Pit. |
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Term
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Definition
| An imaginary line that runs across the proscenium along the upstage side of the proscenium wall. This line is used by the designers and technicians to position various technical elements in the theatre. |
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Term
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Definition
| Any prop or piece of scenery that is usable and used within the play. |
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Term
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Definition
| To help an actor with her lines when she either asks or is stumbling. |
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Term
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Definition
| The area from which the SM runs the show. Usually found just to the right or the left of the proscenium, backstage. The SM often sits in the lighting or sound booth to call the show. |
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Term
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Definition
| The notebook kept by the stage manager that contains all the paperwork necessary to the production of the play, including a script with blocking and cues. Also called Prompt Book. |
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Term
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Definition
| The table backstage on which props are laid out, usually in a mapped out order. |
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Term
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Definition
| All objects, except for scenery, used during a play. Categorized into hand props and set props or set dressing. |
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Term
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Definition
| The outlining frame of the stage opening that separates the house from the stage. Also called the Proscenium Arch. |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
| The short outer parts of the frame of a flat. |
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Term
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Definition
| A stage that is built on an upward slant. |
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Term
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Definition
| Usually the first rehearsal at which the company reads through the script. |
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Term
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Definition
| The scale drawing that gives you a back view of the set. |
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Term
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Definition
| A portion protruding from the back of the frame of a flat used to make it look thick from other angles of the stage. |
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Term
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Definition
| 1) The process of loading in scenery and stage equipment. 2) The way in which mobile scenery is controlled. |
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Term
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Definition
| The total number of performances of a production. |
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Term
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Definition
| Dim lights used to illuminate the backstage; typically blue. |
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Term
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Definition
| To rehearse the show by performing from beginning to end without stopping. |
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Term
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Definition
| Loosely-woven material that is used as a drop. When lit from the front, the scrim is opaque, but when lit from behind, it is transparent. Also called Gauze or Bobbinet. |
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Term
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Definition
| Props that are used to decorate the set and are usually not handled by the actors. |
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Term
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Definition
| A U-shaped clamp fastened with a bolt across the top. Used to attach pipes to the fly system. |
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Term
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Definition
| The process of moving from one setting into another during a play. Also to move (shift) a prop or piece of furniture. |
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Term
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Definition
| A bound excerpt from a play that focuses on one character's lines. |
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Term
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Definition
| Imaginary lines of sight that determine what on stage is visible to the audience and what is not. |
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Term
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Definition
| Support board that rests between the ground and the platform. |
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Term
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Definition
| A platform on wheels or casters that moves on and off stage during the course of a play to facilitate rapid scene changes. Also called Wagon or Jackknife Stage. |
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Term
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Definition
| Light set up specially for a specific scene. |
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Term
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Definition
| To mark on the stage or rehearsal floor the placement of set pieces. |
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Term
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Definition
| A mark on the stage or rehearsal floor, usually a piece of tape, that denotes the specific placement of a piece of scenery or a prop. Also placed on the guide rope of an arbor to indicate trim height. |
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Term
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Definition
| An adjustable piece of stage equipment that fits into a brace cleat to support scenery. |
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Term
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Definition
| Instructions indicating the movement, blocking, or stage business of the performers or other descriptions of the physical setting or atmosphere of the play. |
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Term
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Definition
| When facing the audience, the area of the stage to the actor's left. |
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Term
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Definition
| When facing the stage, the area of the stage to the actor's right. |
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Term
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Definition
| A screw used to fasten the bottom portion of a stage brace to the floor. Also called a Stage Peg. |
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Term
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Definition
| The long outer portion of the frame of a flat. |
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Term
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Definition
| A small piece of fabric or paint used to demonstrate the color and/or texture of the material being used. |
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Term
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Definition
| The rehearsal or series of rehearsals in which the technical elements of the show are integrated with the work of the actors. Also called Tech. |
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Term
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Definition
| The middle braces connecting the stiles in the frame of a flat. |
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Term
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Definition
| A type of theatre in which the audience is seated around three quarters of the stage. |
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Term
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Definition
| Removable areas of the stage floor that allow access to the area underneath the stage. |
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Term
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Definition
| A curtain that can open to the sides of the stage. |
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Term
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Definition
| The height to which a piece of scenery or stage equipment will be flown. |
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Term
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Definition
| Short, thin platforms attached together by biscuits, with small gaps left in between to prevent squeaking when walked on top of. |
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Term
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Definition
| A long, narrow, capped U-shaped metal piece with a screw through the flat portion. Used to create tension in a wire. |
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Definition
| Portion of the stage that revolves. Also called Revolving Stage. |
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Term
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Definition
| A set that can serve as several different settings by changing only one or two set pieces, or by adding different set dressing. Also used for pieces set entirely in one space. |
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Term
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Definition
| Curtains hung both to mask the backstage area and to shape the onstage area. Also called blacks. |
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Term
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Definition
| The right and left sides of the backstage area. |
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Term
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Definition
| Drawings to scale that give the specifics of both set and prop construction. |
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Term
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Definition
| Lights used for general illumination of the stage when not in performance. |
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