tech theatre terms 1

production team

everyone working, in any capacity, on the production of a play

production meeting

a conference of appropriate production personnel to share information

technical rehearsals

run-throughs in which the sets, lights, props, and sound are introduced into the action of the play

cue

a directive for action. for example, a change in the lighting

prompt book

a copy of the script with details about each actor's blocking as well as the location of all sets, props, lights, and sound cues

production concept

the creative interpretation of the script, which will unify the artistic vision of producers, director, and designers

proscenium

a stage configuration in which the spectators watch the action through a rectangular opening (the proscenium arch) that resembles a picture frame

thrust stage

a stage projecting into, and surrounded on three sides by the audience - same stage we have at school

arena stage

- a stage completely surrounded by the audience
- also called "theatre in the round"

raked stage

a stage floor that is higher in the back (upstage) than the front (downstage)

black box theatre

a theatre space that is usually painted black and has a simple rectangular shape

"found" theatre spaces

theatres that are housed in structures that were originally designed for some other purposes

false proscenium

a rigid framework covered with drapery material that is used to adjust the height and width of the proscenium arch. sometimes unframed drapes are used to create a false proscenium

fly loft

the open space above the stage where the scenery and equipment are flown

batten

a thick wooden dowel or metal pipe (generally 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter) from which are suspended scenery and lighting instruments

counterweight arbor

a metal cradle that hold the counterbalancing weights used in the counterweight flying system

ground plan

a ground plan is the floor plan of the set drawn to scale looking from above the stage. this drawing indicates the general layout of each set and the placement of the furniture and large props

white model

a three-dimensional functional model of a scenic design; normally built on a scale of 1/4 or 1/2 to 1 foot; usually made from black foam core

scenic renderings

renderings are finished color sketches of the set. they are normally drawn to scale do that they are an accurate representation of the actual size, shape, and color of the setting

front elevations

a front view of the set. the purpose of these scale drawings is to indicate vertical measurements that can't be represented on the ground plan

lighting designer

person responsible for the appearance of the lighting during the production

lighting cue

generally, some type of action involving lighting; usually the raising or lowering of the intensity of one or more lighting instruments

ellipsoidal reflector spotlight

has a narrow beam and is capable of traveling long distances

fresnel

produces a soft, diffused, luminescent light

dimmer

an electrical device that controls the intensity of a light source connected to it