Absorption

1) A material’s capability to dampen sound.

2) The process of a material dampening or “absorbing” sound.

Tags: Sound


Acoustic Reflector Panel

A reflective panel hung in the auditorium, generally above the audience, that is used to direct sound into desired zones. Often decorative in nature.

Tags: Sound


Acoustics

The science of, and study of sound. The acoustics of a room or space depend on its size and shape and the amount and position of sound-absorbing and sound reflecting materials.

Tags: Sound


Act

1) What an actor does.

2) Segments of a performance, usually separated by an interval. So the first part is Act 1, the second Act 2, and so on.

Tags: Stage, Theatre


Act Curtain

A curtain (sometimes designed for a specific show) that is opened to signal the beginning of a performance. The Front Curtain is often used for this purpose.

Tags: Stage


Acting Area

The area of the stage setting within which the actor performs. It may include areas off the normal stage.

Tags: Stage


Active Speaker

A speaker that has a built-in amplifier. The back of an active speaker uses XLR cables. It also requires IEC cables for power.

Back of an active speaker

Tags: Sound


Add

To fade up lighting channels not already plotted in the current state.

Tags: Lighting


Additive

The mixing of colour from one or more lanterns focused on the same point on stage to produce another colour.

Tags: Lighting


Advance Bar

A lighting bar hung from the auditorium ceiling, usually fairly close to the stage, to provide steep frontal illumination

Tags: Lighting


Aesthetic Distance

The distancing of the audience from the action on stage so as to retain the theatrical illusion.

Tags: Stage


Ambience

The mix of background noise and other reflected sounds that make up a room’s acoustic character.

Tags: Sound


Ambient Light

General indirect light, produced by reflection from the stage, scenery, or by scatter from lanterns..

Tags: Lighting


Amphitheatre

Stepped banks of seating surrounding an arena. Also used to describe one of the tiers of a multi-level auditorium.

Tags: Theatre


Amplifier (Amp)

An electronic device that amplifies sound signals to a point where they great enough to be heard through a speaker.

Tags: Sound


Apron

A part of the stage projecting towards or into the auditorium. In proscenium stages, the part of the stage in front of the curtain. See Forestage.

Apron

Tags: Stage


Arbor

A carriage or rack that contains weights, usually flame cut steel or cast iron, in sufficient quantity to balance a load.

Arbor

Tags: Stage


Arbor Pit

An area located below an opening in the stage floor that permits greater travel for counterweight arbors and pipe battens.

The pinrail of the South Whidbey High School auditorium.
The pinrail of the South Whidbey High School auditorium.

Tags: Stage


Arena Stage

A performance space with seating all round the performers. Examples include theaters, basketball courts, and indoor rodeos.

Arena Stage

Tags: Theatre


AX

Abbreviation for Audio.

Tags: Sound


Back-Light

Light from behind the actor or a piece of scenery. It is highly sculptural light which separates the actor from the background.

Tags: Lighting


Backcloth (Backdrop)

A curtain (usually with painted or printed imagery) used as a background for theatre productions.

Tags: Stage


Balanced Line

An audio cable in which the two audio lines, positive (hot) and negative are kept electrically separate from the earth. A way of reducing hum and noise on the cable.

Tags: Sound


Bar

A tube, pipe or barrel for holding lighting fixtures.

http://www.theatreroyalnelson.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/LX-Rig1.jpgLights hanging on bars

Tags: Lighting


Barn Door

Adjustable doors attached to the front of stage lanterns to control the area of light covered by a particular beam.

Tags: Lighting


Barre

A horizontal rail, usually of wood, used by ballet dancers when practicing.

Tags: Stage, Theatre


Barrel

Length of metal pipe, suspended on a set of lines, to which scenery and curtains may be attached . It is a standard part in a unit of the counterweight system.

Barrel

Tags: Stage


Bass

The lowest end of the audible audio frequency spectrum.

Tags: Sound


Bio Box (Control Room)

Room from which light, sound, projection and effects are operated. This room is found behind the audience seating area. Sometimes the show may be controlled in a cordoned off area within the audience seating area. It can also be sometimes referred to as “ops”.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Tags: Lighting, Sound, Theatre


Black Box Masking

Framing the top, back and sides of the stage with black drapes.

Black Box Masking

Tags: Stage


Blackout

A fast shutdown of all lighting to complete darkness.

Tags: Lighting


Bleacher Seating

Stepped seating blocks which can be retracted for storage and to clear a flat floor.

bleacherseatingcomfobackseat-7643

Tags: Theatre


Blinders

Audience blinders – high intensity flood lights mounted to focus on the audience. Turned on to create an impact on the audience and perhaps cover a scene change.

Data Flash (a traditional blinder)

LED Audience Blinder

Tags: Lighting


Book Flat

Two flats hinged together on the vertical.

Book Flat

Tags: Stage


Boom

1) A vertical lighting bar.

Boom

2) A moveable arm attached to a stand supporting a lantern, microphone or camera.

Boom 2

Tags: Lighting, Sound


Boom Arm

A clamp used to hang a lantern from a boom.

Boom Arm

Tags: Lighting


Border

Flown scenic piece or curtain designed to conceal the upper part of the stage and its machinery or lighting equipment.

Border

Tags: Stage


Bowline Knot

Popular type of knot with a sailing origin, used to secure the end of a rope to a bar or other fixed object.

Bowline

Tags: Stage


Brail (Brail Line)

Line used to pull and retain any piece of hanging scenery or property from the position it would occupy if left hanging free.

Tags: Stage


Brake (Rope Lock)

Lever on a counterweight system that locks the rope, so stopping accidental movement.

Brake

Tags: Stage


Bridge (Catwalk)

Walkway above the stage or auditorium used to reach stage equipment.

Bridge

Tags: Stage


Bridle

A short length of cable or chain used to distribute the stress on a barrel at a suspension point.

Bridle

Tags: Stage


Bump-in/out

The process of moving all of a company’s equipment in/out of a theatre. This includes scenery, props, lanterns, costumes and so on.

Tags: Theatre


Cannon (XLR)

Industry standard cable connector system.

Xlr-connectors

Tags: Lighting, Sound


Canvas (Canvasing)

The fabric used to form a cloth or to cover a flat etc.

Tags: Stage


Centre Line

An imaginary line that running through the centre of the stage from upstage to downstage. This line is used by designers and technicians to position various technical elements in the theatre.

Tags: Stage


Centre Stage

The middle of the acting area. Abbrev. CS.

Tags: Stage


Chain Block

A manually operated chain hoist used to lift truss, rigging bars, flying speakers etc. When multiple chain blocks are to lift 1 item is used, it is vital to watch the speed of the other operators so that the item is elevated evenly.

Tags: Lighting, Stage


Chain Motor

A motorised winch that uses metal chain to lift heavy objects. Widespread usage in the concert production industry to fly speakers and lighting equipment above a stage.

Chain Motor

Tags: Stage


Channel

A sound or light control circuit.

Tags: Lighting, Sound


Chase

A repeated sequence of changing lighting states.

Tags: Lighting


Clamp

‘G’ or ‘C’ clamps are normally attached to lanterns and are used to fasten them to the lighting bars or battens.

G ClampG Clamp                    C ClampC Clamp

Tags: Lighting


Clipping

Overloading a piece of audio equipment by feeding in a signal too great for the unit to handle, thereby leading to distortion.

Tags: Sound


Colour Boomerang

A type of colour changer on a follow spot.

Boomerang

Tags: Lighting


Colour Changer

Mechanical device, usually manually operated, used to insert colour gels in front of a lantern. Often used on follow spots.

Colour Changer

Tags: Lighting


Colour Filter (Gel)

The translucent filter material place in front of lanterns to create a coloured illumination. Colour filters can be made of glass or gelatine, hence Gel, but today are usually made from a synthetic plastic material.

Gels in a Gel Frame or Gel Holder.

Tags: Lighting


Colour Frame (Gel Holder)

Holder for the colour medium or filter which slots into a set of guides in front of a lantern.

Gel Holder

Tags: Lighting


Compressor

An audio unit that reduces the dynamic range of an audio signal, often used as a protective or control device for audio systems.

Compressor

Tags: Sound


Counterwieghts (Counterweight System)

Mechanical system for flying scenery in which the weight of the pieces of scenery is balanced by adjustable weights in a cradle running up and down in guides in a frame normally at the side of the stage. Double purchase systems gear the movement of a counterweight to half that of the scenery it is supporting.

Tags: Stage


Crew

Loose term covering all those who work on a show backstage.

Tags: Theatre


Crossfade

Lighting or sound change where some of the channels increase while others decrease.

Tags: Lighting, Sound


Cue

The signal that initiates a change of any kind during a performance.

Tags: Theatre


Curtain

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 up” (five minutes to the start of the performance).

Tags: Stage, Theatre


Curtain Line

The imaginary line across the stage immediately behind the proscenium which marks the position of the house tabs when closed.

Tags: Stage


Cut Cloth

A cloth which has a part cut out to reveal another cloth set behind, the cut-out portion is often filled with gauze.

Tags: Stage


Cyclorama

Plain stretched cloth or rigid structure (usually white) used as a background to a setting. Sometimes the cyclorama is curved at the bottom and side corners to give the illusion of infinity.

Cyclorama

Tags: Stage


D.I. (Direct Injection)

A direct injection box is used to feed the output of an electronic instrument e.g. a guitar, bass, turn-table or keyboard straight to the audio system.

DI BoxThis image shows the audio signal flow when a D.I. is used.

Tags: Sound


Dead

The predetermined level to which a suspended scenic piece is raised or lowered to take up its correct position in the setting.

Tags: Stage


Dead Blackout

Complete darkness on stage, used to hide scenery changes or to create dramatic effect.

Tags: Lighting


Desk

A loose term used to refer to an audio or lighting console.

Desks This image shows a lighting desk on the left and a sound desk next to it on the right.

 

Tags: Lighting, Sound


Dimmer

Electrical device which controls the amount of electricity passed to a lamp and therefore the intensity of the light. Dimmers are normally numbered sequentially, and the numbers shown on the Lighting Design in next to the relevant lanterns. The dimmer is controlled from the Lighting Desk via a low voltage control signal.

Tags: Lighting


Director

In control of all aspects of the production. They develop the concept of the production, brief the designer and lighting designer, plot the actor’s moves, rehearse the actors and more.

Tags: Roles


Distribution Board

The electrical panel where incoming mains power is split into individual circuits, via circuit breakers, for distribution through a building.

DB Board

Tags: Theatre


DMX

Also known as DMX 512. DMX stands for Digital Multiplex. It is a digital lighting data protocol standard widely used around the world.

Tags: Lighting


DMX 3 Pin

This uses a 3 pin XLR connector… the same as in the audio field. Please note: the voltage of audio and lighting equipment is different. Connecting an audio device into a lighting device (or vice versa) via a 3pin XLR will cause equipment damage.

 

Tags: Lighting


DMX 5 Pin

DMX was developed using a 5 pin XLR connector. Many manufactures also use a standard 3 pin XLR on their devices.

Tags: Lighting


Dome

Another term for Follow Spot. (Known as a Dome because often that was where the lantern and its operator were situated, in the dome in the auditorium).

Tags: Lighting


Double Handling

Moving scenery or equipment more than necessary because it was not correctly positioned in the first place.

Tags: Stage, Theatre


Downlight

Light from above the actor, the beam perpendicular to the stage floor. Can be use as a colour wash without the light directly hitting the scenery.

Downlight

Tags: Lighting


Downstage

Portion of the stage closest to the audience. When told to move an item “downstage”, you move it towards the audience.

Tags: Stage


Draperies

Any unspecified fabric hanging in folds as a scene or part of a scene, especially curtaining fabrics such as woolens, velvets etc.

Tags: Stage


Drapes (Blacks)

Curtains hung both to mask the back-stage area and to shape the on-stage area. Normally made of wool surge.

Drapes

Tags: Stage


Draw Line

Operating cord of a set of traversing curtains.

Tags: Stage


Dry Ice

Frozen blocks or pellets of carbon dioxide – when placed in hot water melt to produce a mist which, because it is heavier then air, will hang close to the floor.

Tags: Stage


Dutchman

Thin strips of cloth used to mask cracks between flats.

Tags: Stage


Dynamic Range

The range of an audio signal from its lowest to highest level.

Tags: Sound


Electrics

1) The members of the electrical team. The electric team mainly work on lighting. 2) All of the electrical (lighting) equipment. Almost always now abbreviated in writing and speech to ‘LX’.

Tags: Lighting, Roles


Equalisation (E.Q.)

Series of controls on the sound mixer for adjusting the tonal quality.

EQ

Tags: Sound


Fade

Sound and lighting term: to increase (fade up), decrease (fade down) or eliminate (fade out) gradually the brightness of a lantern or the volume of a sound.

Tags: Lighting, Sound


Fader

The control knob or slide that provides the means of controlling the output level of a lantern or amplifier.

Fader SSL

Tags: Lighting, Sound


False Proscenium

Arrangement of scenery forming an arch immediately behind the proscenium opening. See also teaser and tormentor.

Tags: Stage


False Stage

A special stage floor laid a few inches above the real stage, to allow the running of steel cables to pull trucks across the stage

Tags: Stage


Feedback

The loud squeal produced over speakers when a microphone that is on gets to close to the speakers.

Tags: Sound


Festoon Tabs

Curtains fixed at the top and raised (opened) by drawing the bottom upwards towards the top and/or sides.

Festoon Tabs

Tags: Stage


Fire Curtain (Safety Curtain)

A non-flammable curtain hung directly behind the proscenium that protects the audience from fire or smoke emitting from the stage.

Fire Curtain

Tags: Stage


First Electric

The first row of lanterns hung on a bar behind the proscenium.

Tags: Lighting


Floodlights

A lantern that projects a diffused, un-focused beam of light. Used for general illumination. Normally found on the forestage pointing up stage, can be permanent or mobile.

Tags: Lighting


Floorcloth

A canvas covering for the floor of the stage. The cloth can be painted to resemble some surface, but be easily removed to reveal another cloth, or the stage floor below.

Floorcloth

Tags: Stage


Flown

Suspended on lines.

Tags: Stage


Fly

To lift above the level of the stage floor by means of sets of lines from the grid. The term flies is also used as an abbreviation for fly gallery.

Tags: Stage


Fly Floor (Fly Gallery)

A gallery extending along a side wall of the stage, some distance above the stage floor, from which ropes used in flying scenery are operated. The fly galleries are usually referred to collectively as the flys.

Fly Gallery

Tags: Stage


Fly Rail

Heavy rail along the on-stage side of a fly gallery, equipped with cleats to which the ropes can be- made secure. Also called pin rail.

Ropes

Tags: Stage


Fly Tower

The space above a stage in which scenery can be flown out of sight of the audience.

flytower

Tags: Stage


Flying Iron

Metal plate with a hinged ring used for scenery suspension.

Tags: Stage


Flys

1) The space above the stage in which scenery, lanterns and so on are hung invisible to the audience. 2) The counterweight system.

Tags: Stage


Focus

To direct and “lock off” a lantern in its specified stage area.

Tags: Lighting


Focusing

1) Adjusting a lantern to give it a well defined image. 2) The process of adjusting and directing the lanterns prior to the technical rehearsal. Can be ‘The Focus’.

Tags: Lighting


Foldback

Sound reinforcement from loudspeakers on the stage or side of stage to enable actors to hear their musical accompaniments clearly, and to hear their own voices when the sound is heavily reinforced for the audience.

Foldback Speaker (this type of foldback speaker is called a wedge)

Tags: Sound


Follow Spot

A hand operated lantern mounted on a swivel stand that emits a high intensity beam of light used to follow an actor on stage.

Tags: Lighting


Forestage

Portion of the stage floor in front of the curtain line. See Apron.

Tags: Stage


Framed Cloth

Scenic cloth battened all around.

Tags: Stage


French Flat

Arrangement of several flats battened together and flown as one unit on a set of lines.

Tags: Stage


Fresnel

A type of spot light with a Fresnel lens, which due to a set of concentric circular ribbing on its surface, gives an even field of light with soft edges.

Tags: Lighting


Front Cloth

Sometimes a painted cloth is brought down near to the house curtain for a front scene to be played on the forestage. This front cloth usually masks scene changes behind it.

Tags: Stage


Front Light

A light coming from downstage of the subject, generally brought in 45 degrees off full front.

Frontlight

Tags: Lighting


Front of House

Areas of a theatre on the audience side of the proscenium wall or stage area are called FOH.

Tags: Theatre


Gaffer Tape (Gaff)

Heavy duty cloth adhesive tape with many uses in the entertainment world.

Tags: Stage


Gauze (Gauze Cloth)

Flat curtain of fine mesh mosquito netting or similar fabric, either painted or unpainted, which when lit solely from the front appears to be opaque, but when lit from behind becomes transparent. It is used for transformation scene or other illusions. A fabric known as “Sharks tooth gauze” is also used for this purpose.

Gauze

Tags: Stage


Generic Lighting (Conventional Lighting)

Traditional fixtures which are focused manually and controlled by a dimmer. Examples of traditional fixtures are Fresnels, Strip lights, Par cans, Profiles, Pin Spots, Multi-Pars.

Tags: Lighting


Gobo

A metal plate with a pattern punched out of it and placed in the gate of a profile spot to produce an image or outline on stage.

Gobo

Tags: Lighting


Graphic Equaliser

Sometimes referred to an an E.Q or Graphic. Advanced audio tone control unit that allows very precise control over the frequency spectrum at a number of centre frequencies.

Graphic EQ

Tags: Sound


Green Room

A room for for the actors to meet and relax. It is located Back of House. Once common, green rooms are rarely found in modern theatres.

Tags: Theatre


Grid

Framework of steel or wooden beams over the stage used to support the sets of lines employed in flying scenery.

Grid

Tags: Stage


H-Stand

A small ‘H’ shaped frame used to stand a lantern on the floor.

Tags: Lighting


Hanging

Attaching flying pieces to the appropriate bars.

Tags: Stage


Hazard Tape (Danger Tape)

Strips of striped gaff tape (normally black and yellow) that is used to bring attention to a potential hazzard especially in low light conditions. Commonly used on steps and protruding tripod legs etc.

White gaff tape is also commonly used to draw attention to potential hazards.

 

Tags: Stage


Head Block

Device compromising three or more sheaves set together either in line or parallel to each other on a common shaft and attached to the grid directly above the fly rail. The lines from the three or more loftblocks in a set are brought together at the lead block and pass on down to the fly rail cleat in a hemp set or to the weight cradle in a counterweight set.

Tags: Stage


Head Electrician

The permanent staff member in a theatre who runs the electrics department.

Tags: Lighting, Roles, Theatre


Hemps

The term is usually employed to signify lines used for flying scenery which are made from vegetable fibre as distinct from the steel wire ropes used in the counterweight system. Hemp lines are hauled up manually and tied off on a cleat on the fly rail. A hemp house is a stage equipped with these hand operated “hemp sets” and no counterweights.

Hemp

Tags: Stage


Highs (Top End)

The highest part of the audible audio frequency spectrum.

Tags: Sound


Hook Clamp

A clamp on a lighting fixture that “hooks” over a bar and is tightened onto the bar by a bolt with a plastic knob that can be tightened by hand.

Tags: Lighting


Hot Spot

An area on the stage on which the lighting is unintentionally more intense than the other areas.

Tags: Lighting


House

The part of the theatre where the audience sits.

Tags: Theatre


House Curtain (House Tabs)

The main curtains between stage and audience, normally placed immediately behind the proscenium.

Tags: Stage, Theatre


House Lights

Lights used to illuminate the area where the audience sits.

Tags: Lighting, Theatre


IEC

Power lead with an IEC plug (also referred to as “Jug Plug” or “Kettle Plug”.


In

Flying term for bringing down. The warning “Bars coming in” may be shouted when bars are being lowered.

Tags: Stage


Instrument

Another term used to refer to a lighting fixture or lantern.

Tags: Lighting


Ladder

A non-climbable frame used to hang lanterns from.

box_boom_ladder

Tags: Lighting


Lamp

The light source within a lantern, but also used to refer to the complete unit. Also known as Bulb, Globe, Envelope, Bubble.

Tags: Lighting


Lantern (Fixture)

One of the many words for a theatre light. Other names are Luminaire, Instrument, Light, Fitting, Fixture, Lamp.

Tags: Lighting


Lash

To secure abutting flats with rope. The rope is known as both a Lash Line and a Throw Line.

Tags: Stage


Lecky

Electrical Insulation tape (electrical tape or insulation tape). It can be made of many plastics, but vinyl is most popular; it stretches well and gives an effective and long lasting insulation. In theatres it is  mostly used for preventing rolled cables from unravelling, securing cables to truss etc., labeling equipment and labeling cables. It comes in a variety of colours.

Lecky


LED

An abbreviation for Light Emitting Diode. Many lighting fixtures are starting to use LEDs as they require less power and don’t need dimmers.

LEDLight Emitting Diode

Tags: Lighting


LED Par Can (LED Par)

This is a lighting fixture that uses LEDs. One LED Par Can can produce many different colours of light.

LED Par

Tags: Lighting


Legs

Vertical strips of fabric, usually black, used mainly for masking the sides of the stage.

Exif_JPEG_PICTURE

Tags: Stage


Lift

Section of stage floor that can be raised or lowered or tilted to provide differing levels of acting area, or to enable changes of setting to be made in the stage basement. Also Known as a bridge.

Tags: Stage


Light Curtain

A batten of low voltage narrow angle lamps, usually 8 to 10, wired in series, used to create a narrow strip of intense light.

Tags: Lighting


Lighting Plot (Lighting Design)

The drawn plan detailing what lanterns will be used where, in what way, with what colour, and on which dimmer.

https://firstclasscrew.com.au/fcc/sites/default/files/users/user1/Glossary/Lighting%20Plot_0.png

Tags: Lighting


Line Level

Audio level standard, pre-amplified from microphone level. Usually common to much electronic audio equipment such as CD & DVD players and effects units.

Tags: Sound


Load In/Out

See Bump-In/Out.

Tags: Theatre


Lock

The knob on the side of a lantern which tightens onto the harness to stop the lantern tilting.

Tags: Lighting


Locking Rail

In a counter weight system the handling rope passes through a rope lock attached to a locking rail which runs the length of the counterweight wall frame.

Locking Rail

Tags: Stage


Loft Block (Grid Pulley)

Sheaf in a metal frame bolted to the grid and used to pass a suspension line; there is one block for each line in a set. See also Set of lines.

Loft Block

Tags: Stage


LX

Abbreviation for “lighting”.

Tags: Lighting


Mains Power

240 volt AC power standard available in all buildings wired to the power generation grid in Australia.

Tags: Theatre


Mask

To hide any equipment or offstage area through the use of curtains, flats, etc.

Tags: Stage


Masking (Masking Piece)

A curtain or piece of scenery, not necessarily painted, used to cut off from the view of the audience any part of the stage space which should not be seen.

Tags: Stage


Mechanist

Crew person responsible for the operation of stage machinery and other related tasks.

Tags: Roles, Stage, Theatre


Mids

The frequencies at the middle of the audible audio frequency spectrum.

Tags: Sound


Mixer (Sound Desk)

Sound control desk, used to mix and adjust levels of sounds from various sources. Also known as a mixing desk or mixing console.

Sound Desk

Tags: Sound


Monitor

See Foldback

Tags: Sound


Mover

A light that has motors and other equipment attached that allow such things as movement and colour selection to be controlled remotely. Now becoming a major force in lighting design for all types of events because it can both dramatically reduce the number of conventional lanterns needed, and produce visually very exciting effects.

Tags: Lighting


Multi-Par

A multi-par is an upgrade from the traditional par can. The fixture allows for beam and field adjustment using interchangeable lenses.

 


Offstage

Backstage area outside the performance area.

Tags: Stage


Onstage

1) Inside the acting area. 2) Towards the centre line.

Tags: Stage


Opposite Prompt (OP)

Abbrev. to OP. The right hand side of the stage as viewed by the cast. Also called Stage Right, Camera Left.

Tags: Stage


Out

Flying term for up. In is down – which prevents confusion with Up and Down Stage.

Tags: Stage


Overhanging

Rigging a spotlight standing above a lighting bar rather than suspending it below the bar.

Tags: Lighting


Par Bar

Metal bar on which is hung a group of Par Cans – usually 4. Used to simplify lighting rigging – instead of each light having to be hung individually, groups can be attached.

Par Bar

Tags: Lighting


Par Can

Type of lantern which holds a par lamp. The parcan is the basic lighting unit in concert lighting.

Tags: Lighting


Passive Speaker

A speaker that requires an external amplifier in order to produce sound.

Back of a passive speaker. You can see the 2 ports for the Speakon connectors.

Tags: Sound


Perch

Position above stage level on the stage side of the proscenium wall either side of the opening.

Tags: Stage


Permanent Masking

Show portal, or teaser and tormentors, or similar arrangements of masking pieces which remain in place throughout a performance, regardless of scene changes.

Tags: Stage


Phantom Power

A way of sending a voltage, usually 48v DC, to a device such as a microphone down the same cable that carries the audio signal from the device. Many sound desks have phantom power facilities built in, or a separate unit can be inserted into the microphone circuit as required.

Tags: Sound


Piggy Back Plug

A type of 240 volt mains plug that also has a socket on the back to allow additional plugs to be added.

Tags: Lighting


Pit (Orchestra Pit)

The area below the front of the stage. May be used to house the orchestra. Also called the Orchestra Pit.

Pit

Tags: Stage, Theatre


Profile Spot (Profile)

A spotlight which projects a profile or outline of any chosen shape and with any desired degree of hardness or softness of edge.

Tags: Lighting


Prompt Side (PS)

Abbrev. to PS. The left hand side of the stage as viewed by the cast facing the audience. Also known as Stage Left, Camera Right.

Tags: Stage


Props

Props is an abbreviation of  “properties”. Props are any items used by actors on stage (other than scenery or costumes).

Tags: Stage


Proscenium Doors

Doors on either side of the stage leading onto a forestage in front of the house curtain.

Tags: Stage


Proscenium Stage

Proscenium stage got its name from a large arch, the proscenium arch, through which the audience viewed the performance. Many modern proscenium stages no longer have the arch. A proscenium stage nowadays refers to a stage where the audience directly faces the stage and views only one side of the scene.

Tags: Stage, Theatre


Reveal (Thickness)

Piece of timber or other material attached to the edge of an opening (e.g. a doorway) to give the effect of depth or thickness.

Tags: Stage


Revolve

Circular table forming a permanent part of the stage floor or standing upon it, on which scenery can be set for quick changing of scene or for creating various effects. Sometimes the revolve is formed of two or three rings and a centre, capable of independent or simultaneous movement, differing speeds and opposite directions. It can be turned through 360 degree either manually or by motor.

Revolve

Tags: Stage


Rig

1) Noun – The lighting system as a whole, ‘The Rig’. 2) Verb – To hang lanterns on bars and connect with cables. 3) Often used to describe putting together any part of the show e.g. Rigging the set.

Tags: Lighting, Stage


Road Case (Flight Case)

A strong, rigidly constructed, well padded case to protect equipment from the vagaries of touring.

Road case

Tags: Stage


Roller

Where there is no flying space over the stage a backdrop can be rolled and is than called a roller or roll drop.

Tags: Stage


Rostrum (Riser)

A portable platform usually in the form of a collapsible hinged framework (gate rostrum) with a separate top. Used to raise specific parts of the action or scene.

Riser

Tags: Stage


Runner

A length of stage flooring that can be drawn off sideways leaving a long narrow opening(cut) through which a cloth or flat may be raised. A runner is also the name given to a length of carpet used offstage to reduce back stage noise.

Tags: Stage, Theatre


Runners

A pair of curtains parting at the centre and moving horizontally.

Tags: Stage


Safety Chain (Safety Cable)

A steel chain or steel cable used to attach hanging equipment (such as lighting) to the support structure as a safety support in case of failure of the primary hanging support (clamp etc.).

Tags: Lighting, Stage


Sand Bags

A canvas bag filled with sand used to secure and weight scenery on the stage.

Tags: Stage


Scrim

Coarse woven Hessian, or similar material used in scenery construction.

Tags: Stage


Scrim

Finely woven fabric which can be translucent or opaque using lighting from different angles. Small pieces of a scrim material is often used in front of lanterns to soften the light beam.

Scrim

Tags: Stage


Set of Lines

Unit group of suspension lines hanging from the grid for the attachment and flying of scenery; there are usually three or four lines in a set. See also counterweights.

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Setting Line (Plaster Line)

Line normally parallel to the front of the stage and just upstage of the house curtain, from which the positions of the scenery are measured.

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Shackle

A shackle is a link that normally attaches the hoist’s hook (the hoist can either be a chain block or chain motor) to a spanset (sling).

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Sheave

Grooved wheel (pulley) over which a line may be passed.

Sheave

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Shot-bag

Similar to a sandbag but smaller and filled with lead-shot.

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Shutter

A device in a profile spot which can alter or change the beam of light.

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Side Fills

Foldback speakers set to the side of the stage.

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Sidelight

Light from the side of an actor facing the audience. Side lighting is often used in dance, as it emphasizes the entire body and movement.

Side Light

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Sight Lines

Imaginary lines of sight that determine what is visible to the audience on stage and what is not.

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Single Purchase

A suspension system where there is no gearing of pulleys. The counterweight and its travel will be the same as that of the object which is suspended.

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Smoke Machine (Fogger)

A device that produces the effect of smoke on stage. It operates by forcing a liquid mixture into a very hot chamber. The mixture, commonly called ‘juice’ or ‘fog juice’, becomes a gas and is expelled through a small nozzle. It emerges as a cloud of smoke.

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Soco (Socoplex)

A Soco or Socapex cable refers to a cable that has Socapex connectors on its ends.

In lighting, Socapex are used for power cables. The connector is normally attached to a multi-cored power cable that can carry 6 channels of power.

Socapex connectors are also used for audio multi-cores.

Tags: Lighting, Sound


Soco Headers

Socapex lighting headers normally have 6 female 10amp power sockets at one end converging in to a male socapex connector at the other end. The headers split the power out of the soco power multi-cored cable so that the lighting can be plugged into separate power channels. Each female socket will have its own number starting from 1 and ending at 6 to distinguish the 6 power channels.

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Soco Tails

Socapex lighting tails normally have 6x 10amp plugs at one end converging into a female socapex connector at the other end.  Tails are normally plugged into a channel on a lighting dimmer. Each 10amp plug will have its own number starting from 1 and ending at 6 to assist in distinguishing channels.

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Spanset (Sling)

This is a strong fabric strap usually used to connect truss to hooks.

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Speaker

The part of a sound system that produces the actual sound that a person hears. The sound is produced by the vibration of a paper or synthetic cone by an electrical voltage in a wire coil.

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Speakon

Speakon is a brand by Nuetrik and is short for speaker connector.

 


Spigot

Small adapter pin used to attach a lantern to a push stand or similar unit.

Spigot

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Spot Block

Pulley fixed to the grid specially for a spot line.

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Spot Line

Single suspension line specially rigged from the grid to fly a piece of scenery or stage property which cannot be handled by the regular lines.

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Stage

a raised floor or platform, typically in a theatre, on which actors, entertainers, or speakers perform.

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Stage Cloth

Large piece of canvas, used to cover the stage floor, often painted to represent paving etc.

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Stage Door

The door to the theatre through which the cast and crew enter and exit the theatre. Not the public entrance to the building.

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Stage Left (SL)

The left side of the stage as viewed by the cast facing the audience. Also Prompt Side, Camera Right.

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Stage Right (SR)

The right hand stage as viewed by the cast facing the audience. Also Opposite Prompt, Camera Left.

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Strike

To clear the stage of scenery and other materials, or to remove a specific article.

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Strobe

Lighting unit giving a fast series of very short light flashes under which action appears frozen.

Strobe

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Surround Curtains (Surround)

Set of legs (ordinary pleated curtains) hung from a curved or angled bar to form the sides and background to an acting area.

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Swag

Looped-up curtain, border or leg.

Swag

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Swatch

A small piece of fabric or paint used to demonstrate the colour and/or texture of the material being used.

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Swivel Arm (Rotary Leg Unit)

Device for suspending a leg so that the angle of the leg in relation to the proscenium can be varied (Rotary Leg Unit).

Swivel Arm

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T-Bar

A metal bar with a slot down the middle mounted horizontally on a push-up stand, from which a small number of lights can be hung.

T Bar

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Tab Warmers

Light directed on the house curtain before the beginning of a show or act.

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Teaser

Border hung between the tormentors (legs), just between the proscenium opening. See also permanent masking.

Teasers_Tormentors

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Three Fold

Three flats hinged together.

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Throw Line

Length of cord attached by a grummet to a piece of scenery and used to secure the piece to an adjacent piece.

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Throw Line Cleat

Metal fitting attached to a flat or other piece, round which the throw-line is passed when securing adjacent pieces together.

Cleat

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Thrust Stage

Type of stage which projects into the auditorium so the audience can sit on at least two sides.

 

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Tormentor

Narrow curtain or flat used to mask the wings, usually at right angles to the proscenium.

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Track (Curtain Track)

Rails from which draw tabs are hung and along which the runners or bobbins travel when the curtains are moved; the track may be fixed or flown.

Curtain Track

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Traps

Removable areas of the stage floor that allow access to the area underneath the stage. Special purpose traps are grave traps, dip traps and star traps.

Traps

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Traveller

A curtain that can open to the sides of the stage.

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Tree

A rigging stand that sits on the floor that can lift a bar of lights up to a certain height. Also known as ‘winch ups’ due to the fact the stand is usually telescoped up by operating a hand winch attached to the side of the tree.

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Tri Nut

The bolt that tightens a G-Clamp to a bar. Often called Tri Nut because many have a triangular plastic grip.

Tri Nut

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Trim

To adjust flown scenery so the bottom is level with the floor.

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Truck (Wagon)

A low platform with wheels or castors on which a piece of scenery can be moved.

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Truss

A metal frame used to hang lanterns from. Comes in three main designs – flat, box, and tri – which describe the shape created by the frame. By virtue of their construction trusses are very strong and able to carry extremely heavy loads. Most truss is now made of aluminium for weight reasons and sections can be bolted together to produce long pieces. Used extensively in concert production to form the ‘roof’ over the stage from which to hang everything from lanterns to speakers.

Tri Truss (it is named is derived from its triangular shape)

Box Truss (truss with a square shape)

Circular Box Truss

 

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Truss Pins

Truss pins used for bolt truss are simply short aluminium tubes which help align and strengthen truss joins.

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Tumbler

Batten on roller fixed to the bottom edge of a cloth, about which the cloth can be rolled upwards when not in use.

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Wardrobe

General name for the costume department, its staff, and the accommodation they occupy.

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Wash

Wash lighting. Stage lighting focused on stage not in a specific spot, but more as a general lighting over an area. Several areas may be combined and balanced to effect an even light over the whole acting area.

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Wieland

Wieland is actually a brand name, but it refers to the multi-pole connecter used for both motor cables and multi-cored power cables.

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Wieland Headers

Same as Soco Headers but with a multi-poled Wieland connector.

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Wings

Offstage spaces to left and right of the acting area.

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Wingset (Backcloth and wing set)

Setting comprising backcloth (or cyclorama) and pairs of wings (legs) with borders above. Sometimes cut cloths are used in the place of wings and borders (e.g. a woodland scene).

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Work Lights

Lights used for general illumination of the stage when not in performance.

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Yoke

The metal strip running over the top of a lantern to which the G-Clamp is attached.

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