Glossary of Theatrical Terms | P-R

This is a glossary of theatrical, technical, lighting, video and audio terms you may hear at the Rose Theatre. And don't let the length of this list intimidate you. It is as much for us as it is for you!

PA System

The public address or any sound reinforcement system.

Pace

The speed at which the story and action in a play runs.

Pad

A electronic resistance device that reduces an audio signal by a set amount. Often used in sound desks to reduce a high level signal coming into a control channel.

Page

A set of programmed scenes on, particularly, a semi-computerised lighting desk. As the desk may only have a limited number of scenes able to be accessed at one time, by using “pages’ the same fader or knob can access more than one scene, though normally not at the same time.

Pageant

A narrow beam projector type lantern once used in England.

Pan

1. Movement of lighting from side to side.
2. Slang for Pancake.

Panatrope

Large gramophone record player used in the 1940s and 50s. Specially designed for theatrical sound effects. It became so popular that stage managers used to write “Pancue’ in their prompt copy to denote a sound cue.

Pancake

Basic make-up item, available in a range of shades, used the world over.

Panorama

1. Predecessor to the diorama developed in the late 18th century.
2. A bar running up and down stage (as opposed to across stage) to hold masking, scenery, or lighting. (From Greek “Pan’ = All and “Horama’ = View).

Parcan

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

Parametric Equaliser

An audio equaliser with separate control over the frequencies and levels being adjusted. Able to control groups of frequencies very accurately.

Par Lamp

Type of globe with a parabolic reflector and sealed beam. Fits into a Par Can.

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.

Part

An actor's part of the play is his or her lines and directions, the whole performance of an individual,

Patch

1. v. To connect a lantern or cable, to plug it in.
2. n. The Patch. See Patch Bay.

Patch Bay

The main connection panel for the lighting or sound system, where all the elements are connected together.

Pattern

Strand Electric's term for “model’, i.e. Pattern 23 light.

Peacocks

In some parts of theatre these birds are considered harbingers of evil.

Pearl

A lamp with a frosted, translucent envelope, giving a softer more diffuse light.

Pepper's Ghost

The effect of a ghost on stage created in the 1860s by J. Pepper using glass as a reflector. Pepper's ghost was such a success that several plays were written especially to use the effect.

Period

When all the facets of a production are carefully aimed towards representing a specific period in history.

Perch

A lighting position concealed behind the proscenium.

PFL

See Pre Fade Listen.

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.

Phon

Scientific unit of measure for sound loudness.

Piano Rehearsal

Rehearsal for a musical show where the music is provided only by a pianist, to save calling the orchestra and incurring the additional cost.

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. Currently the sale of piggy backs is outlawed in Australia, much to chagrin of theatre technicians who have come to rely on them to simplify lighting patching systems.

Pin Microphone

See Lavalier Microphone.

Pink Noise

White noise that has been adjusted so that an equal amount of each signal can be heard.

Pin Patch

A system of connecting the output channels of a lighting desk to different or groups of dimmers, using a matrix of holes and small metal pins.

Pin Spot

1. A small sealed beam light producing a small dot of light on stage.
2. A narrow focussed followspot used to pick out a small item on stage, perhaps the performer's face.

Pipe

See Bar.

Pit

See Orchestra Pit.

Pit Net

A safety net over the Orchestra Pit to prevent injury to musicians or performers if someone or something should fall from stage.

Places Please

See Beginners.

Plano-Convex

An earlier, less efficient version of the Prism Convex lens.

Plate

See Corner Plate.

Platform

See Rostrum.

Platform Stage

An elevated acting area that does not use a proscenium arch.

Plot

1. Any list of cues for effects used in the play.
2. The fundamental thread that runs through a story, providing the reason for the actions of the characters.

Plotting

To program or determine the levels of each of the lighting dimmers in each scene or cue. Also Lighting Rehearsal.

PM

See Production Manager.

Point Of Attack

The moment in the story at which the writer decides to start the play's action.

Pole Operated

Lanterns which have a small mechanical system that allows the tilt and pan to be altered using a metal rod. The rod hooks into a small cup or socket on the side of the lantern, and by turning the rod the alignment can be adjusted. Very useful as it means the operator does not have to be next to the lantern. Popular in film and television where time for re-focussing is limited between shots. (TV).

Pong

To speak in blank verse after drying.

Post Mortem

The session attended by cast and crew after a show to discuss problems. See Notes.

Practical

Any object which must do onstage the same job that it would do in real life e.g. lamp post or telephone.

Pre Fade Listen

(Abbreviation PFL) A system on an audio unit, usually a mixer, by which the audio signal can be monitored by headphones without affecting the output of the mixer. Useful to check that an individual sound source is operating correctly without having to feed it out to the main speaker system.

Pre-Focus

Type of lamp base, similar to the domestic bayonet cap, where, if the globe is inserted and turned correctly, it will be orientated properly to the lens and reflector.

Prelude

Range of 650 watt lanterns by Strand Lighting.

Preparation

The activities used by actors to prepare themselves for a performance.

Preset

1. Used to describe any article placed in its working area before the performance.
2. A basic lighting state that the audience sees before the action starts.

Preview

A performance given before the official opening night, sometimes it is in fact the final full dress rehearsal. Tickets, if sold, are often cheaper as a way of building audience interest in the show.

Principals

The actors in a show with the lead or speaking roles.

Print-Through

When a reel of audio tape is left wound for some time, the magnetic sound image can transfer from one layer of tape to another.

Prism Convex

A lens and lantern that provides a compromise between a focusable but hard edged profile spot and an non-focusable but soft edged fresnel lantern.

Producer

The person responsible for raising the finance to stage a show and then generally running the business side.

Production Manager

(Abbreviation PM) The senior member of the technical team, in control of staffing, budgets, and liaison with venues whilst on tour.

Profile Flat

Alternative to the cut-out flat.

Profile Spot

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

Prologue

Speech given to the audience by an actor before the start of the play.

Prompt

The person who, during the performance, feeds actors lines if they “dry’. Usually from the down stage stage left position - hence Prompt Corner. In opera it was traditional for the prompt to be positioned with the head projecting through a small slit cut in the stage floor down stage centre, with a wooden hood or cover to mask the prompt person from the audience.

Prompt Book

See Prompt Copy.

Prompt Copy

Fully annotated copy of the play with all of the various production details, used by the Stage Manager during the performance to co-ordinate all the various technical and staging departments. Also Prompt Book.

Prompt Corner

The down stage stage left corner of the stage. Known as Prompt Corner because that is the area where the Prompt, or Stage Manager, usually sits.

Prompt Side

(Abbreviation PS) The left hand side of the stage as viewed by the cast facing the audience. Also Stage Left, Camera Right.

Properties

(Abbreviation Props) Any item or article used by the actors other than scenery and costumes.

Props Table

Table in convenient offstage area on which all props are left prior to use.

Proscenium Arch

(Abbreviation Pros) The archway which separates the stage and the auditorium.

Proscenium Theatre

Any theatre that has a proscenium arch.

Protagonist

The main character in a play around whom most of the action is based.

Proximity Effect

The difference in sound characteristics as a microphone is moved towards or away from a sound source. Generally a loss in bass response is experienced as the microphone is moved away. Often used by vocalists to add emphasis to their songs.

PS

See Prompt Side.

Pulling Focus

See Focus.

Punch Cards

Computer punch cards were used for a short time to store lighting plot information for later playback, until superseded by storage devices utilising magnetic media such as cassette tape and floppy disks. One system, developed by Century Lighting in the USA, could handle two cards (or scenes) a second.

Push Up

Small lighting stand used on stage, with a tripod base, usually just to lift one or two lanterns to the level required.

Put Together

See Run Through.

Pyrotechnics

Any chemical effects used onstage or in the wings to create explosions or special effects.

Quarter

Backstage pre-show call given 20 minutes before curtain up (15 minutes before beginners).

Radio Microphones

Microphones that instead of being connected by a cable to the sound equipment, transmit the sound via a radio signal. This allows great flexibility on stage, and has meant performers can wear very small, hidden microphones whilst still retaining complete mobility. There are two main types - hand held, where the microphone and transmitter are contained in one unit, and lavalier or pin microphones, where, in order to reduce size, the microphone is connected to the transmitter pack by a short cable. The pack can then be concealed in a pocket, and the microphone positioned on the performer's clothing, or even in their hair, for maximum audio effect.

Rag

Slang for the House Curtain.

Rail

Bottom or top batten in a flat.

Rake

The incline of a stage floor or seating area away from the horizontal. Originally introduced as a way of improving sightlines to the stage under poor lighting conditions last century.

Ray Can

A lantern with no lens producing a near parallel beam of light and often used in lighting for concerts.

Readers Theatre

Similar to a workshop piece, but without the analysis, where the cast read the play aloud with the script in hand and without gestures.

Reflectors

The shiny surfaces in the back of lanterns which help to intensify the beam.

Rehearsal

The learning of the show by the cast and crew before public performance.

Repertory

(Abbreviation Rep) A form of theatre production company, usually with a permanent company of actors, where each production has a run of limited length. At any time there is normally one production in performance, one in rehearsal, and several in varying degrees of planning.

Reserved Ticketing

Ticketing for a performance in which the precise seat to be occupied by the patron is defined by row and number. The opposite is unreserved seating.

Resistive Ballast

See Ballast.

Restore

To recall a previously used lighting state later in the performance.

Return

A flat or curtain leading off from another at right angles.

Reveal

A small return surrounding an arch, window, or doorway to suggest depth and thickness.

Reversal

A sudden about change in the plot or action on stage leading to an unexpected outcome.

Reverberation

(Abbreviation Reverb) The effect of multiple sound waves reflecting off surfaces in a room.

Reverberation Unit

(Abbreviation Reverb Unit) An audio signal processor that can duplicate the effect of a sound reverberating in a selectable range of room sizes and environments.

Revolving Stage

A Revolve. A large turntable which turns the set so that, even though two or more scenes may be on the revolve, only one need be visible to the audience at a time.

Revox

Brand of audio tape machines - the Revox Model B-77 is extremely popular in radio and theatre for replay of reel to reel tapes.

Ride It

A technique of pacing and timing employed by an actor to handle laughter from the audience.

Rig

1. n. The lighting system as a whole, “The Rig’.
2. v. 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.

Rigger's Control

A remote control, either cordless or wired, which can adjust settings on the lighting control desk. Used for roaming around the stage or auditorium to focus or adjust lanterns.

Ring

Intercom. See Talkback.

Ripple Box

A rippling light effect produced by a light mounted inside a revolving cylinder in which thin slots have been cut.

Ripple Tray

The effect of light dancing on water produced by shining a light onto a shallow tray containing water. To speed up the effect a fan can be directed onto the tray to agitate the water.

Riser

1. See Rostrum.
2. The vertical part of a step.
3. The vertical parts of the concentric rings of a fresnel lens.

Road Case

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

Roller

A mechanism for hanging canvas cloth.

Rostrum

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.

Royalty

The performance fee paid to the author of a script.

Run

1. A sequence of performances of the same show.
2. Horizontal width of a step.
3. See Run Through.

Run Through

A rehearsal at which all the elements of the production are put together in their correct sequence. Sometimes shortened to “Run’.

Runners

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