Glossary of Theatrical Terms | S-Z

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!

Safety Chains

Short length of chain with a clip on one end and used to secure lanterns to bars. Required by law in many places.

Sand Bag

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

Saturation

The strength or darkness of a colour filter - a saturated colour filter is one which is as deep a colour as is possible without critically affecting the resultant light.

Saturation Rig

An arrangement of lanterns in which the maximum number of lanterns is placed in every possible position.

Scatter

The light outside the main beam of a spot light which is lower in intensity.

Scene

1. A stage setting.
2. The blocks or parts into which a play is divided.
3. A particular setting of stage lighting that can be reproduced on demand. Also State.

Scene Dock

See Dock.

Scene Master

See Sub-Master.

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.

Script

The text of the show, also containing information about settings, characters, costumes etc. to aid the cast and crew.

Sealed Beam Lamp

A lamp where the reflector, filament, and lens are contained in one sealed package. Virtually unable to be focussed except for pointing in the right direction.

Section

See Elevation.

Segue

Originally a musical term for an immediate follow on, now used more generally for any immediate follow on.

Semaphore Colour Changer

A type of remote control colour changer that can be fixed to a range of different lanterns. Operates very much like the colour changers used on follow spots, only can be controlled remotely.

Semi-computerised Lighting Desk

A lighting desk that combines a conventional manual control system with some computerised elements. Each channel still has an individual control fader, but the desk can handle scene recording and playback, and other such functions.

Send

An output from an audio desk independent of the main outputs. Used to connect equipment like effects units etc.. Also Auxiliary.

Sequence

A series of lighting states and lighting changes that can be recalled on demand.

Set

1. v. To set is to prepare the stage for the coming scene by placing everything in its correct position.
2. n. The set is all the scenery, furniture and props used to create a particular scene.
3. When an actor has learnt their lines and stage directions they are “set’.

Set Dressing

1. The process of putting all sets, props and so on in their correct positions on the stage.
2. Props used to create atmosphere rather than having a function.

Set Piece

A piece of scenery which stands alone.

Setting 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.

SFX

Abbreviation for Sound Effects, or Special Effects.

Shot Bag

Canvas bag filled with lead shot used to secure scenery to the stage.

Shot Gun

A type of very directional microphone able to be used from much farther away from a sound source than normal.

Showcard

An early lighting plot storage system, using a cardboard card, much like a computer punch card. It was inexpensive at the time, but bulky.

Shutter

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

Side

A page of script.

Side Fills

Foldback speakers set to the side of the stage.

Sightlines

Lines indicating the limits of what an audience can see. The sightlines can be drawn on a plan or determined by someone in the auditorium.

Signal to Noise Ratio

The ratio of desired sound to undesired background noise.

Silhouette

Range of profile spots made by CCT Lighting.

Silk

A type of diffusion filter.

Sill

An flat metal bar screwed to the bottom of a door flat to secure it to the stage.

Single Purchase

Counterweight flying system where the cradle travels the same distance as the fly bar's travel. The counterweight frame therefore occupies the full height of the side wall of the stage.

Sit In

A director may invite a group of the actors' friends to “sit in’ on a rehearsal.

Skin Off Your Nose

Theatrical greeting originating in the 19th century when make-up was coarse and crude, and would peel skin off the face. Actors in the early part of last century could often be identified by their blotchy appearance. So the greeting meant that the person hoped the actor would keep in work and thus lose more skin from their face!

Sky Cloth

See Cyclorama.

Slip Programs

To insert a page into a program informing the audience perhaps of late changes to the cast.

Smoke Machine

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. Also Fogger.

Snap Fade

An instantaneous lighting change or crossfade.

Soft Edged

A light beam on stage that has a out of focus or ill-defined edge or side. Also Soft Focus.

Soft Focus

See Soft Edged.

Soft Patch

Analogue lighting control systems still rely on the principal of “one fader one channel’ - sometimes known as parallel control - that is, each fader on the desk controls one dimmer. The only way to change this is to physically alter the wiring arrangements. A digital lighting control system, however, because the lighting control signals are combined all into one digital circuit, can use a “softpatch’ to electronically link different channels to different, or multiple, dimmers.

Sound Reinforcement

The aim is to present the listener with an amplified yet natural sound.

Spanset

An extremely strong nylon strap made into a loop used in rigging.

Slapstick

Slightly manic but physical comedy that relies on often violent behaviour to elicit laughter.

Speaker

Also Loudspeaker. 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.

Special

A lantern performing a particular function, such as a fire “special’ or a window “special’.

Spectrum Analyser

Device that gives a visual readout of the level of the sound frequencies present in a room or on the input signal. Used as a tool in tuning a venue's sound system.

Spigot

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

Spiking

Marking the position of a set piece on the stage. See Marking.

Spill

Unwanted light which is normally due to a poorly focused lantern.

Spine

The dominant desire or motive of a character.

Spit and Dribble

The cheapest seats in the highest balcony in the auditorium.

Spot Line

A line rigged from the grid to fly a piece of scenery.

Spotlight

A lighting instrument in which the angle and beam size can be controlled.

Stage

1. The part of the theatre on which the actor performs.
2. The acting profession - an actor is said to be “On The Stage’.

Stage Brace

Portable support for flats - a metal rod, one end of which that hooks into a Brace Cleat on the back of the flat, while the other is affixed to the stage floor.

Stage Conventions

Certain devices used within a performance that are accepted as portraying an event or style without necessarily being realistic.

Stage Directions

Directions in the script about how the playwright intends actions or arrangements to be carried out.

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.

Stage Door Keeper

See Hall Keeper.

Stage Fever

A desire to be on the stage.

Stage House

The stage and everything up to the grid.

Stage Left

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

Stage Manager

The member of the production team responsible for the smooth running of a performance. Before a production opens the Stage Manager attends rehearsals and meetings with other members of the production, and in smaller companies is often the coordinator of all of the various aspects of the production. During the performance the Stage Manager, using a copy of the script annotated during rehearsals, cues the actors and the various technical departments. On larger shows this last function will be performed by the Deputy Stage Manager.

Stage Right

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

Stage Screw

A screw for fixing braces to strong stage floors.

Stage Weight

Used to secure the base of a french or stage brace.

Stagger Through

A more realistic term for a Run Through.

Starlette

Range of fresnel lanterns made by CCT Lighting.

State

See Scene.

State Of Board Sheet

A form on which the individual levels of each channel of the lighting desk are noted for a particular scene. When operating a manual lighting desk this is the means by which the lighting plot is recalled. Of course on a memory desk the computer takes care of this extremely laborious task.

Step

To cycle through a sequence of lighting states and changes.

Sticky

If a scene or paragraph is proving difficult to play, it is said to be sticky.

Stop Filter

See Neutral Density Filter.

SRO

See Standing Room Only.

Standing Room Only

All seats having been sold the only positions left for the audience require standing for the show.

Stile

Vertical batten in the framework of a flat.

Stock Characters

Type cast characters such as “The Villain’, “The Hero’, etc.

Stock Plots

As for Stock Characters.

Stock Scenery

Scenery able to be used for a number of different plays.

Stretcher

Small rope clamped to side edge of a back drop, then pulled outwards to stretch the cloth flat.

Striation

Unevenness in a light beam caused by the lamp filament.

Strike

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

Strobe

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

Strop

A length of wire rope used to hang scenery etc from fly bars.

Sub-Group

See Sub-Master.

Sub-Master or Sub-Group.

A control on either a sound or a lighting desk that allows a set of channels to be controlled from one fader. Generally a Sub-Master is a lighting term, whilst Sub-Group an audio term. In lighting - also Scene Master.

Subtext

The meaning beneath the superficial surface of a play's story, often more important then the latter.

Summer Stock

Theatre Companies that operate in regional areas, outside the usual theatrical centres, during the summer months, and who produce an intensive season of plays.

Super-Cardioid

See Hyper-Cardioid.

Surround Sound

An extra audio track now added to many films often used for atmospheric or special effects sounds. The surround speakers are place at the side and/or rear of the audience so that the patrons appear “surrounded’ by the film's soundtrack. When first developed was predominantly used for sudden special effects sounds such as explosions, and so was first know as the effects soundtrack.

Tabs

A pair of curtains which over-lap at centre, and together are the full width and height of the stage. Front tabs are the House Curtain.

Supernumerary

An actor with a non-speaking role, employed, for example, to swell a crowd scene. Also Extra.

Tableau

A finishing arrangement or placement of cast at the end of a scene or act that is achieved, then held as the lights fade down or the curtain falls.

Tableau Vivant

Almost the reverse of a tableau, but where supposedly inanimate images come to life.

Tab Track

Track with centre overlap for suspending and operating horizontally moving tabs. The curtains operated are often known as “french action’ tabs.

Tag Line

See Curtain Line.

Talkback

A system of two way communications amongst the performance crew, each who wears a set of headphones with or without a boom microphone. Also Cans.

Tallescope

Aluminium vertical ladder with an adjustable base on wheels, used for erecting and focusing lanterns, reaching the grid etc.

Tape Echo

See Echo Unit.

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.

Teaser

1. Originally the border of scenery behind the front curtain for masking the flys, now the term refers to any short drop used as masking.
2. A small press or short radio or TV advertisement designed to titillate the public while giving almost no detail.

Technical

The functions essential to a play other than those of the cast's actual interpretation of the script, in particular the set, lighting etc.

Technical Director

See Technical Stage Manager.

Technical Rehearsal

(Abbreviation Tech) A rehearsal at which all of the technical elements are rehearsed and integrated into the show.

Technical Stage Manager

Sometimes known as Technical Director. In charge of the technical activities and staff on stage, particularly during bump-in and out.

Tempus M24

Small Strand Lighting memory desk, popular with schools and small theatres.

Theatre In The Round

A stage in which the audience sits on all sides of the stage.

Theme

The central idea of a play.

The Old Complaint

Euphemism for habitual drunkenness among actors.

Three Fold

Three flats hinged together.

Throw

The distance between the lantern and the object being lit.

Throw Line

A rope which holds flats against one and other. Also Lash Line.

Thrust Stage

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

Thumb Nut

See Tri Nut.

Tilt

The vertical movement of a lantern.

Toggle

1. Crosspiece in a flat frame.
2. A heavy rubber band used to secure cables to bars and booms.

Top And Tail

See Cue-to-Cue.

Top End

The highest part of the audible audio frequency spectrum.

Top It

When an actor is directed to come in on a line with more pace and volume.

Tormentor

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

Town Power

Electricity from the electrical generating grid. As opposed to generator power, produced from a stand alone unit.

Tragic Flaw

The fundamental error in a character that often leads to a climax for the character within a play.

Translucent

A property possessed by some materials that allows light through without showing the particular shape or form of objects on the other side.

Trap

A trap door opening into the area below stage which can be used for special effects.

Traps Case

Roadcase in which a drummer stores the various stands and attachments that hold up their drum kit.

Traverse Tabs

Tabs set on a track across the stage.

Treads

Steps or stairs used on stage.

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.

Tri Nut

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

Tri Truss

See Truss.

Trim

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

Trim Chains

Short length of chain linking the wire rope end to a fly bar. By clipping or shackling the chain up or down a few links the horizontal alignment of the bar can be adjusted.

Tripe

Long bundles of electrical cable.

Trouper

An optimist, some one who always sees the good side and rolls with the bad.

Truck

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

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. Even followspots can mounted together with their operators who access their seats via circus style rope or wire ladders.

Tumbling

Flying a cloth from the bottom as well as from the top when there is insufficient height to fly in the normal way.

Tune

1. Aligning a musical instrument to a standard pitch, or adjusting musical instruments for playing together.
2. Adjusting the equalisation of a sound system to suit the acoustic characteristics of a specific room and/or style of performance.

Tungsten Lamps

Normal lamps whose tungsten filaments gradually lose the brightness of their light output. The stage types are big brothers of the standard domestic types.

Tungsten Halogen Lamps

Special lamps which maintain their initial brightness of light output throughout their lives. Now generally used.

Two Fold

See Book Flat.

Understudy

An actor who learns the part of another ready to step into their shoes should they not be able to perform due to illness or other reasons. Also Cover.

Uni-Directional

A microphone that is sensitive to sound from only one angle. See Cardioid.

Un-Reserved Ticketing

See Reserved Ticketing.

Upstage

(Abbreviation US) The part of the stage furthest away from the audience.

Upstaging

To deliberately draw focus on stage.

Ultra Violet light

(Abbreviation U.V.) Light emissions above the spectrum visible to the human eye. Used to produce a glowing effect from white fabric or materials treated with special paint.

U.V.

See Ultra Violet Light.

Vienna Action

Curtains drawn up from part way along the inside vertical edge.

Volt

The unit of electrical potential. (Italian physicist, Volta, 1745-1827).

V.U. Meter

An audio meter that indicates sound level in decibels.

Waggly Mirror Lights

A type of automated lantern. Instead of the actual lantern fitting being moved by motors and so on, a small mirror is attached at the front of the lantern that reflects the light output. By moving the mirror, the light beam can be moved. An efficient way of automating lanterns because there are less moving parts, and as only a small lightweight mirror actual changes position, the accompanying mechanics can be correspondingly lightweight. With modern electronics the mirror position can be very accurately controlled.

Wagon

See Truck.

Walk Through

Rehearsals at which the actors go through entrances, moves and exits to make clear any changes or alterations that made be necessary.

Wardrobe

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

Wardrobe Plot

Actor-by-actor, scene-by-scene inventory of all the costumes in a production, giving a detailed breakdown of each separate item in each costume.

Warm Up

A session usually a short time before a performance in which the actors prepare their bodies through a number of physical, mental, and musical exercises.

Warning Bells

See Bells.

Wash Wash lighting.

Stage lighting focussed 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.

Ways

1. The maximum number of combinations of channels on a lighting installation.
2. See Channel.

Weight Cradle

The metal frame that holds the fly weights in a counterweight flying system.

Whistling

Whistling in dressing rooms is traditionally considered bad luck. To appease the gods you must turn around three times, leave the room for a minute, then knock three times and re-enter!

White Noise

An audio signal that contains noise at the same level at all frequencies.

Winch up

See Tree.

Windshield

Foam cover for microphones that reduces the sound of wind and breath, so enhancing the sound the microphone is supposed to be picking up.

Wings

The sides of the stage concealed from the audiences' view.

Wing Curtains

See Legs.

Working Lights

Stage lights independent of the main dimming system used while the crew work on stage during Bump-in etc.

Workshop

Any non-performing backstage area of the theatre.

Workshop Performance

A performance in which maximum effort goes towards acting and interpretation of the script rather than sets or costumes, or the visual performance.

X-Lights

See Battens.

Yoke

See Harness.

Zoom

A variable focus lens.

Zoom Profile

A profile spot with two lenses that allows the beam angle to be adjusted.