tech theatre vocab

costume fitting

First meeting between the actor and his/her costume. Enables wardrobe staff to ensure a correct fit, and to enable the actor to see if all necessary movement is possible.

costume loft

Term for a store of theatre costumes, particularly where there are costume hire facilities.

costume parade

This is a time in the rehearsal process where actors "model" their costumes on stage.

dressing room

rooms containing clothes, rails, and mirrors (often surrounded with lights) in which actors change into their costumes and apply makeup.

gondola

An enclosed easily transportable costume rail with removable side which enables large shows to manage huge quantities of costumes, wigs, etc, easily.

quick change

a change of costume that needs to happen very quickly; takes place close to the side of the stage.

swatch

A sample of fabric to demonstrate the material to use on a costume or set design, or a sample of lighting gel.

costume plot

actor-by-actor, scene-by-scene inventory of all the costumes in a production, with a detailed breakdown into every separate item in each costume.

needle

small, metal, pick used to hand-sew costumes. It is paired with thread.

sewing machine

a machine used to sew costumes and fabric. has an automated pedal, called a foot.

serger machine

A machine used to "finish off" a costume project. It smooths and cuts the edges of the fabric to hold it together.

seam ripper

a tool used to cut out the thread in the seams of costume pieces.

fabric shears

specific scissors used to cut fabric. They usually have a zig-zag edge that helps the fabric not fray when cut.

cutting board

a large (usually cardboard) board used to measure and cut fabric on. There are lines on the board to help ensure a clean cut.

measuring tape

tape used to measure actors and fabric to ensure the costume will fit.

dress form

A "mannequin" that is adjustable to fit multiple sizes. It is used to drape fabric onto to ensure the costume will fit the actor and lay right on the body.

setting

the location where the play takes place.

rendering

a colored sketch or drawing of a setting or costume.

set props

a piece of furniture (or a big thing, like a tree) that is part of a set.

floor plan

a bird's eye view drawing of the setting. It shows where things are in the setting.

unit set

a single setting which can represent a variety of locales with the simple addition of properties or scenic elements.

flats

flat pieces of theatrical scenery which are painted and positioned on stage so as to give the appearance of buildings or other background

three-fold-flats

three smaller flats joined at two places by hinges to "unfold" into three sections.

two-fold-flats

two flats joined together by a hinge to "unfold" into two sections.

step units

moveable steps or stairs that vary in width.

platform

a raised horizontal surface. they vary in size. 1 x 1 platforms resemble a box or cube. A 4 x 8 platform is what is usually on the stage to stand on.

ramp

an inclined surface. they gradually incline from the floor level to a platform.

ellipsoidal

a type of lighting instrument used in theatre. can be hung in a lighting plot or on a boom. used for more concentrated, bright, light in a specific area.

Fresnel

a type of lighting instrument used in theatre. can be hung in a lighting plot or on a boom. Used for a more general wash in a larger area on stage.

lamp

lightbulbs (the equipment they are used in are referred to as "fixtures").

barn doors

with a similar purpose to that of shutters (but used on Fresnel and PARs), these are attachable metal pieces that have hinged panels that can mask the light out of certain areas.

shutters

a moveable piece within the ellipsoidal that can shut out part or all of the light coming out of a fixture

intensity

the level of light output coming from the fixture (usually measured in percentages on a control board); the brightness of the light.

snoot

also known as top hat; an attachable accessory with a long cylindrical tube used to reduce flare (stray light beams) from lighting fixtures.

Diffusion

similar to gel, these sheets are used to diffuse, or soften, the beam of light and don't usually change the color of the light (unless it is a colored diffusion).

gel

also known as color media, filter; the plastic film placed in front of lights to change the color of the beam of light.

color frame

two connected square pieces of metal or cardboard with a hollowed circle in the center; this frame holds the gel in front of the fixture.

gobo

stands for go-between: thin, steel, circular pieces with a design cut-out; when placed into a slot in the ellipsoidal, these project patterns of light onto the stage.

gobo holder

a rectangular, metal frame with a circular hole in the center. this piece holds a pattern and slides into a slot in an ellipsoidal fixture.

audition forms

this is a form that actors fill out at auditions that give contact information and availability.

contact sheet

this is a spreadsheet with all of the cast/crew contact information.

actor contract

this is a contract for actors (and sometimes crew members) to participate in the production.

line notes

these are short notes that are given to actors when a line is changed any way from the script

production meeting

this is a meeting that occurs (usually weekly) where the director, designers, and stage manager meet to discuss the technical elements of the production and their status.

rehearsal reports

this is the report that is created by the stage manager for each rehearsal. it includes pertinent information to the show, including personnel, rehearsal schedule, week schedule, general notes, and specific notes. it is e-mailed to all personnel at the end of each rehearsal.

show reports

this is the report that is created by the stage manager for each show. it including personnel, run times, week schedule, general notes, and specific notes. it is e-mailed to all personnel at the end of each show.

blocking script

this is the stage manager's script with all of the show blocking and choreography included in it. (every actor's blocking should be included.)

cue script

this is the stage manager's script with all of the show cues (lights, sound, etc.) included in it. this should be clean of everything except the cues. (light cues are numbers, sound cues are letters.)