From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[edit] Theatrical Terminology

This is a list of stagecraft terms and abbreviations with short definitions. Items having a separate article of their own are marked as a link in the item's title listed in this article.

Contents: Top - 0–9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

[edit] A

ALD

Assistant Lighting Designer

ASM

Assistant Stage Manager

[edit] B

Batten

A horizontal pipe, often suspended from the fly system

Boom

A verical pipe for mounting lighting instruments, scenery, or other items.

Box Boom

A vertical pipe on which lighting instruments are mounted in the house. Name comes from their position near the "box seats"

[edit] C

Carp

short for Carpenter

Catwalk

A platform above the stage level to allow access to lighting positions, rigging, or other suspended equipment or scenery

Coffin Lock

A mechanism for mechanically joining two pieces of scenery, this mechanism is mounted within the scenery so as to be invisible to the audience.

Cue

An action taken at a specific time by a technician or actor. Also the event that triggers the action. ex. "He completely missed his cue."

Cue Light

A small light visible to an actor or technician to allow them to know when to take their cue. Usually controlled by the stage manager.

Cyclorama

A large, generally white or pale blue, wall or drop upstage in a theater, used with lighting to represent the sky.

[edit] D

Downstage

towards the audience.

Drop

A piece of scenery, generally flat fabric, suspended from above.

[edit] G

Gobo

A steel or glass pattern that is placed in the beam of a light to project the image on the pattern. See pattern.

Grid

the structure from which items are suspended in a theater.

[edit] H

House

Area of a venue where the audience sits.

House Left / House Right

directions from the perspective of someone in the house facing the stage. Opposite of Stage Left and Stage Right.

[edit] I

IATSE

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes

[edit] J

[edit] K

[edit] L

LX

Abbreviation for Electrics

[edit] M

[edit] N

[edit] O

[edit] P

Procenium

The opening at the front of the stage.

Pyro

pyrotechnics or pyrotechnicians

[edit] Q

[edit] R

Rail

the control area for fly systems, also the point at which rigging is secured.

[edit] S

Squint

Slang for an electrician, often disparaging.

Stage Left / Stage Right

Direction from the perspecive of someone standing on stage facing the audience. Opposite of House Left and House Right

[edit] T

[edit] U

Upstage

Away from the audience.

[edit] V

Venue

The facility in which a production is presented.

[edit] W

[edit] X

[edit] Y

[edit] Z