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Theatre


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Terminology

Basic theatre terminology
  • Upstage - The back of the stage
  • Downstage - The front of the stage
  • Centerstage - The very middle of the stage from all four directions
  • Midstage - The middle of the stage (see "midstage left", "midstage right")
  • Stage Right - The right side of the stage when looking at the audience
  • Stage Left - The left side of the stage when looking at the audience
  • House - The space where the audience sits
  • Front Of House - The lobby, restrooms, etc
  • Backstage - The spaces behind the stage (see "backstage crossover", "dressing room", "green room", etc)
  • Dressing Room - Any room used for changing costumes
  • Green Room - A room backstage for the actors and crew to hang out in when not needed on stage (think "lounge")
  • Loading Dock - A special place backstage designed for large trucks to unload set pieces and other items
  • Orchestra Pit - The space in front of (and often partly under) the stage, where the orchestra sits
  • Orchestra Seating - The first-floor seating area in a theatre
  • Balcony Seating - The upper-most seating area in a theatre (large theatre will often have an in-between area called "the mezzanine")
  • Fly Space - A tall space directly above the stage, used to "fly" scenery and backdrops in and out (down and up respectively)
  • Batten - A strong metal pipe designed to hold lights, scenery, projectors, and other items
  • Fly System - A counter-weighted rigging system used to "fly" battens up and down, so that lights can be accessed easily, and scenery can fly in and out
  • Scrim - "A piece of such fabric used as a drop, border, or the like, for creating the illusion of a solid wall or backdrop under certain lighting conditions or creating a semitransparent curtain when lit from behind." - (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/scrim)
  • Masking - Curtains used to hide the wings, lights, etc, from the view of the audience
  • Main - The main curtain, located downstage, that hides the stage from the view of the audience
  • Mid - A curtain in the middle of the stage, used to hide the rear half of the stage from the view of the audience
  • Leg - See "masking"
  • Drop - A backdrop

  • Prop - Any item used by an actor onstage (usually excluding furniture, which is counted as a set piece)
  • Costume - Any clothing item worn by an actor to portray a character
  • Set - Scenery.  Physical elements constructed to resemble buildings, trees, or anything else to create a specific setting for a scene
  • Flat - A flat set piece, usually square or rectangular, usually  flat.  Used as a set piece, often combined and painted to resemble a wall or other structure
  • Platform - A platform
  • Leg - A piece of wood or metal used as a leg to make something stand up.  Platforms are often "legged", raising them to a higher height.

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  • Set Designer
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  • Lighting Designer
  • Sound Designer
  • Dresser
  • Stagehand

Lighting Terminology
  • Par-can
  • Fresnel
  • Leko
  • Eddison Cable
  • C-Clamp
  • Catwalk
  • Spotlight/Follow Spot
  • Barn doors
  • Cue
  • Cyc
  • Cyc Light
  • Gel
  • Ellipsoidal
  • Footlight
  • Blackout
  • Fade In
  • Fade Out
  • House Lights
  • Work Lights
  • Safety Cable

See https://alss1.wordpress.com/theatrical-lighting-glossary/

Sound Terminology
  • Monitor - A speaker used to hear the orchestra, sound effects, performers, etc
  • Headset - A head set system used for crew members to communicate with each other (see "Clear Com")
  • Body Mic
  • Area Mic
  • Choir Mic
  • Transmitter
  • Receiver
  • Mic Belt
  • Mix
  • Feed
  • Feedback
  • Interference
  • Live
  • Dead

Costume Terminology
  • Overdressing
  • Underdressing
  • Neck Tie
  • Bow Tie
  • Jazz Shoes
  • Jazz Boots
  • Character Shoes
  • Quick Change
  • Pre-Set

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