theatre final

amplification

the process of increasing the reach of sound

automated lights

lights using stage lighting equipment that has automated abilities that go above and beyond traditional lights. These types of lights can produce the most complex and extraordinary effects

backdrop

a painted cloth hung across the rear of a stage

balance (design)

the distribution of the visual weight of objects, colors, texture, and space

blackbox

a simple performance space, typically a square room with black walls and a flat floor.

casting

a pre-production process for selecting a certain type of actor, dancer, singer, or extra for a particular role or part in a script, screenplay, or teleplay.

casting director

helps other members of a creative team decide which performers should be hired for a play or musical.

closed call

casting call where actors are invited

color (design)

A collection of ______ is used to best illuminate the performers, costumes, and scenery

costume designer

person who plans and supervises the creation of the costumes and outfits worn by characters in a play or opera.

costume plot

a list or chart that shows which characters appear in each scene, what they are wearing and their overall movement throughout the play.

costume renderings

these include swatches , or small samples, of each fabric to be used in the costume

cue

the trigger for an action to be carried out at a specific time.

cue sheet

a detailed listing of cues for use by a stage manager or the technicians during the production of a play or broadcast.

cutter/draper

responsible for working with the Costume Designer and Costume Shop Manager in the construction and preparation of all assigned production costumes.

cyc lights

used for lighting tall pieces of fabric called cyc, which are typically hung at the back of the stage.

cyclorama

background device employed to cover the back and sometimes the sides of the stage and used with special lighting

director

a professional in the theatre field who oversees and orchestrates the mounting of a theatre production

documentary or verbatim theatre

form of documentary theatre which is based on the spoken words of real people.

downstage

toward or at the front of a theatrical stage

dress rehearsal

a full rehearsal (as of a play) in costume and with stage properties shortly before the first performance

ellipsoidal reflector spotlight

a type of stage lighting instrument, named for the ellipsoidal reflector used to collect and direct the light through a barrel that contains a lens or lens train.

fitting

You will be fitted for your costume by the costume designer or assistant at one of these

flats

an upright section of painted stage scenery mounted on a frame

flies (fly space)

a system of rope lines, blocks, counterweights and related devices within a theater that enables a stage crew to fly quickly, quietly and safely components such as curtains, lights, scenery, stage effects and, sometimes, people

fog machine/hazer

create a fine and subtle haze with a long 'hang' time – the particles linger in the air for a long time before dissipating making them ideal for use at shows and concerts.

fourth wall

a performance convention in which an invisible, imaginary wall separates actors from the audience- "breaking" this

francois delsarte

a French singer, orator, and coach. Though he achieved some success as a composer, he is chiefly known as a teacher in singing and declamation

fresnel

a soft-edged spotlight that offers more control over the angle of the beam than a flood light.

gel

coloured 'filters' placed in front of the lights found in theatres, so to colour the beam.

Georg II Duke of Saxe-Meningen

A life-long artist and theatre-enthusiast, he founded his own court theatre group, the Meiningen Players, or the Meiningers.

gobo

a small stencilled circular disc, and used in lighting fixtures to create a projected image or pattern.

ground plan

a bird's eye view of the set in relation to the theatre space.

hang and focus

This is the term used for the process whereby the technicians hang the lighting instruments and then focuses the instruments for the correct function.

Konstantin Stanislavski

seminal Soviet and Russian theatre practitioner. He was widely recognized as an outstanding character actor and the many productions that he directed garnered him a reputation as one of the leading theatre directors of his generation

light plot

a plan and complete set of instructions for lighting a stage production (as a play or opera)

light board

an electronic device used in theatrical lighting design to control multiple stage lights at once

lighting designer

responsible for the design, installation, and operation of the lighting and special electrical effects used in the production.

line (design)

the contour of a set, an onstage structure, or linear effects as a result of scenic painting.

makeup designer

responsible for the visual appearance of any makeup worn by the actors

mass (design)

a solid body or a grouping of visual elements (line, color, texture, etc.) that compose a solid form.

master electrician

similar to being the technical director for the Lighting Designer- responsible for insuring the realization of the light plot.

mics and mic pack

wireless microphones are attached to the actors and provide a consistent close-miked pickup of the actors wherever they may be on stage.

off book rehearsal

the rehearsal for which actors must have all lines (and lyrics, in the case of a musical) completely memorized.

open call

an audition that's open to any performer who has interest in trying out for the role

PAR can

Parabolic aluminized reflector light- they are normally a single lamp/reflector unit, that looks similar to a car headlight inside a metal can, which has the appearance of a sausage.

platforms

a stationary, standard flat walking surface for actors to perform on

production concept

an analysis of the text that determines how it will be brought to life

projection designer

creates all projections shown on stage, including still photos and filmed footage.

prompt book

the master copy of the script or score, containing all the actor moves and technical cues, and is used by the deputy stage manager

proscenium arch

the frame or arch separating the stage from the auditorium, through which the action of a play is viewed

run-through

Rehearsals that occur early in the production process

scenework

actors taking a specific scene from a movie, television or play and working on it in front of an acting instructor or a group of peers.

SCRIM

a theater drop that appears opaque when a scene in front is lighted and transparent or translucent when a scene in back is lighted.

shape (design)

categorized into three main types – geometric shapes, natural (or organic) shapes, and abstract shapes- how you see it on the stage

smoke

also known as special effect fog or haze, is a category of atmospheric effects used in the entertainment industry.

sound designer

esponsible for creating, editing and mixing layers of countless elements that go into a professionally mixed production.

sound board

a structure placed above and sometimes also behind a pulpit or other speaking platforms that helps to project the sound of the speaker.

speakers

part of a sound system- where the sound comes from

stage left

on the left side of a stage from the point of view of a performer facing the audience.

stage manager

supports and organises all the different teams involved in the day-to-day running of a theatre production from rehearsals right up until show

stage right

on the right side of a stage from the point of view of a performer facing the audience

stitcher

a member of the costume construction team, who works with the Cutter on assembling/constructing costumes.

stumble through

the first time actors go through a script from start to finish.

technical runs

the time that actors take a back seat for a while. Not completely, but almost. It's the time for music, lights, sound, props and costume departments to sort out what they must do to make the show pop.

texture (design)

defines the visual feel of what is created

thrust stage

a stage that extends into the auditorium so that the audience is seated around three sides

turntable

theatrical device for scene changes, or shifts, by which three or more settings are constructed on a turntable around a central pivot and revolved before the audience- hamilton

upstage

Toward or at the rear of a theatrical stage

wagons

a mobile platform that is used to support and transport movable, three-dimensional theatrical scenery on a theater stage

wardrobe crew

assist actors in changing costumes, keeping track of costume pieces, and assist with wigs, hair, and make-up and occasional photo calls

wardrobe supervisor

responsible for supervising the costume area during dress rehearsals and performances.