STAGECRAFT 2 VOCAB 1-20

ACOUSTICS

ACOUSTICS

The behavior of sound and its study. The acoustics of a room depend on its size and shape and the amount and position of sound-absorbing and reflecting material.

ARBOR

Metal frame in which counterweights are carried in a flying system. Also called a cradle.

ARENA

Form of stage where the audience is seated on four sides of the whole acting area. Also known as THEATRE IN THE ROUND.

AUTOMATION

Describes the method used instead of stage crew for moving bits of set around shows with a big budget.

APRON

Section of the stage floor which projects towards or into the auditorium. In proscenium theatres, the part of the stage in front of the house tabs, or in front of the proscenium arch.

BACKDROP

A large curtain, usually painted to represent the sky, a landscape, or some other background, dropped upstage to form the back of a wing set and to mask the backstage space; now commonly supplanted by a cyclorama.

BASE COAT

An initial coat of paint to provide a solid color, or to prime the surface and to prepare it for a more detailed paint job. The base coat may be a cheaper type of paint, to prepare the surface for a thinner coat of color.

BATTEN OR PIPES

the bars on which scenery and light fixtures are flown.

BOOK FLAT

Two flats hinged together on the vertical edge, to be free standing, and normally used as a backing for a doorway or window.

BOOM

a vertical scaffold pole, which has fixed to it horizontal boom arms, onto which lanterns can be mounted, to create side light or cross light across the stage.

BORDER

A narrow horizontal masking piece (flattage or cloth), normally of neutral color (black) to mask the lighting rig and flown scenery from the audience, and to provide an upper limit to the scene. Often used in conjunction with LEGS.

BOX BOOM

a mounting position for stage spotlights at. the front side of the auditorium, usually a vertical. pipe. box, opera box.

BOX SET

Naturalistic setting of a complete room built from flats with only the side nearest the audience (the fourth wall) missing.

BRACE

Angled strengthening timber within a flat.

BREAKAWAY

Prop or item of furniture designed to break/shatter with impact. Breakaway furniture and some props are usually capable of restoration to be "broken" again.

BROADWAY FLAT

Theatrical scenery flat where the framing timber is parallel to the surface of the flat.

C CLAMP

Heavy metal clamp used for securing heavy items to a batten, pole, standard, etc. Requires a spanner/wrench to tighten.

CATWALK

An access walkway to equipment. Unlike a bridge, not necessarily across a void.

CENTER LINE

Imaginary line running down the stage through the exact centre of the proscenium opening. Marked as CL on stage plans. Normally marked on the stage floor and used as a reference when marking out or assembling a set. A chalked snap line or tape can be used to mark the line in the rehearsal room and on stage.

CHANNEL

A complete control path for signals in lighting or sound equipment.

CHIAROSCURO

In Lighting or Scenic design (and the Art world), Chiaroscuro means the use of contrasts of light and shade, especially in order to enhance the depiction of character and for general dramatic effect. From the Italian words chiaro 'clear, bright' and oscuro 'dark'.

CONSUMABLES and PERISHABLES

the items used up, eaten, destroyed, broken, manipulated or handled in such a way that they are only good for one performance.  These items must be replaced every performance and an adequate supply provided to the run crew for the entire run of the show.

CONVENTIONAL FIXTURES

use a conventional-styled lamp and require more power than LED lights. This light fixture must be controlled with some kind of stage lighting dimmer.

COSTUME FITTING

The trying on of a costume for fit and appearance, in the presence of a costumer.

COSTUME PARADE

Cast members appear in costume, on stage and under state lighting, so that the costume designer and costume assistants can see how they look. At the same time, the director and lighting designer usually are present for their input as well.

COSTUME PLOT

A list of characters, showing the costumes to be worn in a production, scene by scene.

COUNTERWEIGHT SYSTEM

Method of flying scenery which uses a cradle containing weights to counterbalance the weight of flown scenery.

CRESCENT WRENCH

An adjustable wrench, named for the curved shape of the tool. Sometimes called a C-wrench.

CROSS FADE

1. Bringing up a new lighting area onstage while at the same time bringing down another area somewhere else on stage. 2) Also applies to sound effects/music.

CUE LIGHT

System for giving technical staff silent cues by light. Red light means stand-by or warn, green light means go. Ensures greater precision when visibility or audibility of actors is limited. Sometimes used for cueing actors onto the set. For technical cues, lights are normally now used just as a backup to cues given over the headset system.