Lighting Terms

WASH

A lighting cover over the whole stage or a lantern producing a large spread of softly focused light.

WATTS

Unit of electrical power calculated by multiplying current by voltage; indicates the power required for lighting equipment.

WINGS

Out of view areas to the sides of the acting area and scenery standing at the junction of these areas.

WORKING LIGHTS

High wattage lights for venue use when stage lighting is off, and low wattage blue lights for illuminating offstage obstacles.

WYSIWYG

Acronym for "What You See Is What You Get," referring to software for lighting design and production administration.

XFADE

Another term for CROSSFADE in lighting terminology.

XLR

Multi-pin metallic connector used for sound and DMX, with specific pin configurations for different uses.

YOKE

The trunnion arm of a lantern used for mounting and positioning.

15A PLUG

Standard domestic power connector in the US.

20A PLUG

Standard power connector in US theaters with three round metal contacts (live, neutral, and earth).

ADAPTOR

Connector allowing multiple devices to connect to a single power outlet; can also refer to a jumper.

AMBIENT LIGHT

Background light in a venue with no stage-lighting sources switched on.

AMPERE (AMP)

Standard unit for measuring electrical current in a circuit.

ATTRIBUTES

Controllable parameters of a moving light, including pan, tilt, color wheels, and gobo selection.

BACK PROJECTION

A method of projecting images onto a screen from behind.

BACKLIGHT

Light coming from behind scenery or actors to separate them from the background.

BATTEN PIPE

Horizontal metal tube from which lighting equipment and scenery may be suspended.

BARN DOORS

Rotatable metal flaps attached to lanterns to control the beam direction.

BATTENS

Timber used for various purposes in lighting, including carrying hanging cloths and joining flats.

BEAM ANGLE

The angle of the light cone produced by a lantern.

BELTPACK

Part of the communication system in a theater, containing controls for headsets.

BLACKOUT

Complete absence of stage lighting; can also refer to the act of turning off stage lighting.

BLINDERS (Audience)

Lamps directed into the auditorium to prevent spectators from seeing the stage.

BOOM

Vertical scaffolding pole for mounting lanterns, often used for side-lighting.

BOOM BASE

Wooden board used as a base for lighting booms.

BOOTH

Control room in a theater.

BORDER

Narrow horizontal masking piece to mask the lighting rig from the audience.

BREAKOUT

Connection at the end of a multicore cable allowing multiple items to connect.

BREAKUP

Abstract gobo used to create a textured light effect.

BRIDGE (CATWALK)

Walkway providing access to technical areas above the stage or auditorium.

BUMP

Sudden jump in light level.

BUMP CUE

Lighting cue that instantly increases lighting to a brighter level.

BURNT OUT

A colored gel that has lost its color due to excessive heat.

C CLAMP / C-CLAMP

US equivalent of the UK Hook Clamp, used for securing lighting equipment.

CALL

Notification for a working session or request for an actor to come to the stage.

CALLING THE SHOW

Process of giving verbal cues to technical departments during a performance.

CLEAR-COM

Communication system used for coordination during performances.

CHANNEL

Control path for signals in lighting or sound equipment.

CHASE

Repeated sequence of changing lighting states.

CHEAT SHEET

Smaller version of the lighting plan used by the lighting designer.

MASTER ELECTRICIAN

Senior member of the stage lighting team, responsible for electrical maintenance and design.

CIRCUIT

Means by which a lantern is connected to a dimmer or patch panel.

COLOR CHANGER (Scroller)

Device for changing colors in front of a lantern.

COLOR FRAME (Gel Frame)

Frame that holds the color filter in front of a lantern.

COLOR MIXING

Combining effects of two or more lighting gels.

CRESCENT WRENCH

Adjustable hand wrench used in lighting setups.

CROSSFADE

Bringing another lighting state up to replace the current one.

CUE

Command given to technical departments for a specific operation.

CUE TO CUE

Cutting out action between cues during a technical rehearsal.

CUEING

Standard sequence for giving verbal cues.

CYC LIGHTS

Fixtures that illuminate the cyclorama.

DIFFUSION

Filter used to soften the edges of a light beam.

DIGITAL DIMMER

New generation of dimmers responding directly to digital outputs.

DIMMER RACK

Collection of individual lighting dimmer circuits in a single case.

DMX Terminator

Connector used at the end of a DMX run to absorb data signals.

DMX512

Digital multiplex standard for lighting control.

DOWNLIGHT

Light coming from directly above the acting area.

DRESS LIGHTING

Low-level lights provided while the audience enters the venue.

DRESS REHEARSAL

A full rehearsal that includes all technical elements, simulating the performance as it will occur on the night.

DRY ICE

Frozen carbon dioxide that creates a low-lying mist when placed in boiling water; requires caution due to its extreme cold.

EDISON PLUG

A standard domestic power connector in the USA with a plastic body and two parallel metal contacts.

ELLIPSOIDAL

A type of profile lantern with an elliptical reflector and at least one lens, also known as a LEKO.

FADE

A gradual increase, decrease, or change in lighting or sound level.

FADE OUT

A slow dimming of lights that ends in blackout.

FADE TIMES

The duration for lighting fades, including up fade and down fade times.

FADE UP

An increase in lighting or sound level over a specified time period.

FADER

A vertical slider used to adjust the level of a lighting or sound channel remotely.

FIRST ELECTRIC

The first lighting bar upstage of the proscenium arch in the US, known as LX1 in the UK.

FIXTURE

A single moving light unit, used for its complexity and additional control connections.

FLAGGING

The act of waving a hand in and out of a lantern's beam to see where it hits on stage.

FOCUS

The session for angling lanterns correctly and the sharpness of a light beam.

FOCUSING

Adjusting the direction and beam size of lanterns, which may not result in a sharply focused image.

FOH

Refers to the Front of House, areas in front of the proscenium arch.

FOLLOWSPOT

A powerful profile lantern used to follow an actor on stage, often operated by a technician.

FOOT

The action of bracing a ladder or holding a flat with your foot during setup.

FRESNEL

A type of lantern that produces a soft-edged beam of light through a Fresnel lens.

FRONT OF HOUSE (FOH)

Areas of the theater open to the public and lanterns focused towards the stage.

FUSE

A protective device that melts to prevent damage from excess current in electrical equipment.

GAFFER TAPE

A sticky cloth tape used for securing items temporarily, commonly in widths of .5 inch and 2 inch.

GEL

A colored plastic sheet used as a filter to absorb certain colors of light while allowing others to pass through.

GLOVES

Protective gear used when lifting heavy lanterns or equipment.

GOBO

A thin metal plate etched with a design that can be projected by a spotlight.

GOBO HOLDER

A metal plate designed to hold a gobo in a specific lantern type.

GOBO ROTATOR

A device that rotates gobos at variable speeds for effects.

GOING DARK

A warning that lights are about to be switched off, often used during rehearsals.

GRAND MASTER

An overall control fader on a lighting or sound control board that can fade out all outputs.

HANG

The process of rigging lighting equipment for a production.

HAZER

A machine that produces atmospheric haze to reveal airborne light beams.

HEADS UP

A warning for staff to be aware of activity above them.

HEADSET

Communication equipment used in theater, typically a headphone and microphone combination.

HEATSHIELD

A gel that dissipates heat to prolong the life of colored gels in lighting.

HOUSE LIGHTS

Auditorium lighting that is usually dimmed when a performance begins.

INCANDESCENT

A light source with a metal filament that glows when current passes through it.

INSERT

An additional route into a sound desk or an extra lighting state added later.

INTELLIGENT LIGHT

A remotely controllable lighting instrument capable of various effects.

INTENSITY

A measure of the brightness of a stage lantern, expressed as a percentage of electrical power.

IRIS

An adjustable aperture in a profile lantern that varies the size of a light beam.

KILL

To switch off a light or sound effect or to remove a prop.

LADDER

Equipment used to access heights or as a structure for hanging lanterns.

LAMP

A light bulb used in industry, referred to as a lamp rather than a bulb.