Stagecraft Midterm Overview: Types and Processes in Theater

Commercial Theater

A theater engaged in commerce, such as Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Touring, aiming to make money.

Regional Theater

Non-profit community theater with strong ties to the community, often featuring well-known titles.

Academic Theater

Theater associated with colleges and public schools, similar to regional theaters.

Producer

An individual responsible for offstage work in theater production.

Director

An individual responsible for a specific part of the theater production.

Designer

An individual responsible for sound, lighting, costuming, etc.

Stagehand

A person who works backstage or in the booth during a theater production.

Grip

An individual who interfaces with various technical aspects of a production.

Deckhand

A crew member responsible for managing the stage deck.

Fly Operator

A person who operates the fly system for moving scenery.

Spot Operator

An individual responsible for operating spotlights during a performance.

Board Ops

Technicians who manage the sound and lighting boards.

Techs

Technicians working in the booth during a performance.

Wardrobe

Individuals responsible for fixing and maintaining costumes.

Call Light

A light that gives a reminder to start going to your spot.

Cue Light

A light that lets people know when to go.

Running Light

Safety lights used during performances.

Ghost Light

A safety light left on so that people can see what is going on.

Load-In

The process of bringing all sets, props, etc., into the performance space.

Strike

The process of moving all elements out of the performance space.

Dry Tech

A tech rehearsal without any actors present.

Tech Rehearsal

A rehearsal where all technical elements are working.

Dress Rehearsal

A rehearsal where costumes and makeup are introduced early.

Final Dress

The last opportunity to fix things before the show under show conditions.

Spike Marks

Marks indicating where scenery is placed on stage or where actors go.

Spike Tape

Tape used sparingly for marking positions on stage.

Gaffer's Tape

Stronger than electrical tape, used to secure cables.

Glow Tape

Tape used to identify borders or boundaries, which needs to be charged with a flashlight.

Show Selection

The process of deciding what story to tell and the size and capacity of the show.

Licensing

The process of obtaining permission to perform a specific piece.

Production Period

The length of time allocated for the production process.

Phantom of the Opera tickets in Chicago

Tickets for the musical 'Phantom of the Opera' available in Chicago.

Public Response

Media and news sharing things.

The Design Period

The phase where themes and visual branding of the show are conceptualized.

Casting

The process of selecting actors for roles in a production.

Type casting

Casting actors in roles that fit their established persona.

Design Meetings

Meetings focused on discussing and developing the design aspects of the production.

Design Packages

Vision boards, texture packages, and materials for the team to interact with.

Final Design

Includes model, drafting packages, ground planning, and costume renderings or samples.

The Production Period

The phase where physical items are created and rehearsals begin.

Rehearsal Reports

Notes taken out of rehearsal sessions.

Inventory and acquisition

Determining whether to make, buy, or repaint items needed for the production.

The Pre-Tech Period

The phase before technical rehearsals, involving load-ins and preparation.

Consumables

Items like food, beverages, and materials that may be damaged during production.

The Tech Period

The phase dedicated to technical rehearsals and cue preparations.

Tech Rehearsals

Rehearsals focused on technical aspects of the show.

Dry Tech

Tech rehearsal conducted without actors.

Cue-to-Cue/Wet Tech

Rehearsal focusing on cues, standby, and shifts, with or without actors.

Dress Rehearsals

Full run-through of the show with costumes, makeup, and wigs.

Change Rehearsal

Practice for quick costume changes behind scenery.

Performance Period

The phase where the show is performed for audiences.

Repairs and Maintenance

Ongoing tasks to ensure the production remains in good condition.

Performance report

Documentation of the performance including house count and any issues.

Post-Mortem

When something is dead, figure out why things died.

Chop Saw/Mitre Saw

Rotating one, round blade.

Radical Arm Saw

A type of saw used for cutting.

Table Saw

A saw with a flat table for cutting wood.

Panel Saw

A saw used for cutting large panels of wood.

Band Saw

A saw with a long, continuous blade used for cutting curves.

Reciprocating Saw

A saw that moves back and forth for cutting.

Jigsaw

Used for complex cuts.

Belt Sander

Used for removing material from surfaces.

Grinder

A sander for metal.

Drill Press

Cuts continuous holes at the angle that you want.

Lathe

A piece of machinery that allows you to mount things and carve things, e.g., spindles.

Lumber

Product manufactured made from wood.

Hardwoods

Deciduous trees that are usually denser, e.g., birch, cherry, maple, poplar, oak.

Softwoods

Needle or cone-bearing trees, e.g., spruce, pine, fir.

Nominal size

Name size not actual dimension, e.g., 2x4= 1.5"x3.5".

Milled size

True physical size of lumber.

Construction grade

Grade 1, 2, 3 lumber with the fewest amount of knots.

Finish Grade

More expensive lumber, very rare for theater, not milled.

Plywood

Manufactured wood made by peeling layers of wood with opposing grain.

Hardboard

Made from finely ground wood particles pressed together with glue.

Particleboard

Heavy, made from woodchips, including drywall and plasterboard.

MDF

Smooth paper material that takes paint well.

Expanded polystyrene

Good for carving, tiny beads.

Polyethylene

Used for pool noodles and requires special paint mix.

Aluminum

Very lightweight, used in lighting and scenery.

Steel

Super heavy, good for structural applications.

Fasteners

Used to join things/connect, including nails, screws, staples, bolts.

Drywall screws

Usually black, very sharp, designed to be flush.

Lag bolt

Used to attach things to the floor.

Clamps

Keep things in a fixed location.

Electric tools

Plugged in tools.

Pneumatic tools

Air pressurized tools.

Chuck

The big noselike piece at the front of a drill.

Hammer Drill

Drill with forward motion in addition to torque.

Twist bits

Remove material in a specific way.

Sanders

Used for smoothing surfaces.

CNC

Computer controlled router.

Renderings

Can be hand drawn or computer-generated.

Build calendar

Really only in an educational setting

CAD

Computer-aided drafting

SketchUp

Born out of Google stuff

Vectorworks

Industry standard has lighting and other things, calculates electricity, etc., free for students

Vector drawing

Stores around coordinates and looks better

Scenic Elements: Flats

Flat structures used in stage design

Hard-covered Broadway flats

What we made!

Hollywood/TV hard covered

Type of flat used in Hollywood and TV productions