Theater Terminology from USITT

Venue/Personnel Terminology (A-L)

Acting Area

• Space where the performer moves in full view of the audience.

Actors' Equity Association (AEA)

• Labor union representing actors, singers, dancers, and stage managers in professional theatre.

• Synonyms: AEA, Equity.

Aisle

• Walkway through seating in the audience area.

Alley Staging

• Configuration where staging runs the width of the hall, with the audience on two sides facing each other.

• Synonyms: Corridor Stage, Traverse Stage.

Amphitheatre

• Outdoor performance space with a stage and bowl-shaped seating for the audience.

• Synonym: Greek Theatre.

Ante Pro

• Area on the audience side of the proscenium.

• Synonym: AP.

Apron

• Area downstage of the proscenium arch at stage level.

• Synonym: Forestage.

Arena Stage

• Stage configuration where audience surrounds the stage.

Armorer

• Specialist in charge of weapons as part of the props for a show.

• Synonym: Weapons.

Artistic Director

• Person responsible for the artistic (creative) vision of an organization.

Assistant Lighting Designer (ALD)

• Person who works under the Lighting Designer.

Assistant Stage Manager (ASM)

• Responsible for duties assigned by the Stage Manager, typically stationed backstage during performances.

Back of House

• Stage support space that is not visible to the audience.

Backstage

• Areas in the venue used by performers and production crews, not accessible to the audience.

Balcony

• Upper levels of seating above the main level.

• Synonym: Loge.

Black Box

• Flexible performance space with no fixed stage or audience seating.

• Synonym: Studio.

Border

• Short drapery hung horizontally to mask overhead battens, lighting equipment, and scenic elements.

• Synonym: Teaser.

Break

• Designated time out of work for rest.

• Synonyms: Break Time, Coffee, Crew Break.

Call

• Announcement of the time and type of work to be done and by whom.

• Synonym: Work Hours.

Call Board

• Backstage bulletin board where information about the production, crew, and venue is posted.

Call Sheet

• Document detailing the crew list and supervisors for each call.

Calling a Show

• Process of giving cues to the crew and performers, typically performed by Stage Manager.

• Synonym: Cue Calling.

Cast

• Performers in a production.

Catwalk

• Elevated walkway used to access equipment.

• Synonym: Cats.

Center Line

• Imaginary line through the center of the stage from upstage to downstage.

• Synonym: CL.

Charge Painter

• Head scenic painter responsible for budget and crew.

Choreographer

• Person who creates and directs movement/dance of performers.

Combat Captain

• Responsible for maintaining choreographed fight routines.

Combat Choreographer

• Creates and directs stage fight routines.

Company Manager

• Responsible for administrative duties pertaining to performers and production personnel.

Control Booth

• Area where theatrical control equipment and operators are located.

• Synonyms: Booth, Electronic Beach, Production Booth.

Venue/Personnel Terminology (M-U)

Cove Position

• Front of house overhead position for lighting and staging support.

• Synonym: Beam Position.

Crew

• Workers assigned to a production or venue.

Crossover

• Backstage area used to cross from one side of the stage to the other, out of view from the audience.

Cue

• (1) Specific command in a production, given by stage manager, resulting in action by performer/technician.

• (2) Specific command named in a production that results in action.

Cue to Cue

• Rehearsal consisting of running only the technical cues in sequence.

• Synonyms: Dry Tech, Tech, Wet Tech.

Cyclorama

• Background used as an upstage lighting surface, usually full-stage width or more.

Dance Captain

• Maintains choreography during a production.

Dark

• When a venue is not open for a performance or performance-related activity.

Deck

• Flooring, which may be permanent or portable.

• Synonym: Floor.

Director

• Responsible for all aspects and artistic vision of a production.

Dress Rehearsal

• Rehearsal of the complete production with an audience present.

• Synonyms: Dress, Full Dress.

Dry Tech

• Running the show cue to cue without performers present.

• Synonym: Tech.

Facilities Manager

• Manages the physical plant, including buildings and systems.

Floor Plan

• Drafted view of scenery or stage layout from an overhead perspective.

• Synonyms: Ground Plan, Plan View.

Fly Tower

• Structure above the stage for the suspension and movement of production elements.

• Synonym: Flies.

Front of House (FOH)

• (1) All spaces used by the audience; (2) Technical aspects in the audience area.

Ghost Light

• Single lamp in a safety cage to illuminate the stage when the theater is not in use.

• Synonym: Pass Through Light.

Going Dark

• Warning given when the stage is going to a blackout.

• Synonym: Going to Black.

Gridiron

• Over-stage support structure of regularly spaced members affixed to support equipment.

• Synonym: Grid.

Head Carpenter

• Directs all technical activities and crews on the stage.

• Synonyms: Crew Head, Foreman, Master Carpenter, Shop Foreman, Stage Crew Chief.

Head Electrician

• Oversees the electrical crew for a production.

• Synonyms: Master Electrician, ME.

Head Flyman

• Responsible for the fly system crew.

Head Rigger

• Responsible for the rigging crew.

House Manager

• Manages the box office, concessions, ushers, and support for audience services.

• Synonym: Front of House Manager.

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IA)

• Trade union representing stagehands, scenic artists, and stage designers.

• Synonyms: IA, IATSE.

Leg

• Narrow curtain hung vertically along the sides of a stage and parallel to the plaster line.

Lighting Designer (LD)

• Creates the lighting design for a production.

Lighting Director

• Maintains the lighting design throughout the production.

Lighting Supervisor

• Performs duties of assistant lighting designer and coordinates stage electricians.

Loading Dock

• Area for bringing objects into the facility, typically raised for truck access.

• Synonym: Dock.

Loading Door

• Large access door for moving equipment and materials in and out of the space.

• Synonyms: Bull Door, Elephant Door.

Venue/Personnel Terminology (M-U)

Mezzanine

• Balcony level immediately above the orchestra level.

Music Director

• Selects music and leads rehearsals and performances of musicians.

• Synonyms: Conductor, Maestro.

Off Stage

• Stage area that is not visible to the audience.

Orchestra Pit

• Sunken area directly in front of the stage for musicians.

• Synonym: Pit.

Patron

• An individual attending and supporting an event.

Pit Cover

• Removable flooring covering the orchestra pit.

Plaster Line

• Imaginary line across the stage between the proscenium opening's upstage corners.

• Synonym: Proscenium Line.

Producer

• Has ultimate control over an entertainment event.

Production Electrician

• Assembles and installs lighting equipment, supervises the electrical crew.

• Synonyms: Lighting Crew Chief.

Production Manager (PM)

• Responsible for technical preparations, scheduling, budgeting, and supervision.

Production Stage Manager (PSM)

• Coordinates activities of the stage management team.

Prompter

• Follows the script to help the performer with lines.

Properties Master

• Responsible for all production props during a show's run.

Proscenium

• Stage configuration where the audience area is separated from the stage.

Proscenium Arch

• Frame that separates the stage from the audience in a proscenium theatre.

Proscenium Theatre

• Configuration where audience views the production through an opening in the wall between audience and stage.

Running Crew

• Personnel involved in technical work during a performance.

Scenic Designer

• Creates designs for stage scenic elements.

Scrim

• Loosely woven material opaque when front-lit, transparent when backlit.

Sightlines

• Boundary of what an audience can see on stage, separating on-stage from off-stage.

Sound Crew Chief

• In charge of the audio crew.

• Synonyms: A-1, Sound Master.

Sound Designer

• Assembles and creates the sound for a production.

Stage Manager (SM)

• Manages rehearsal process and cues during performance.

Stagehand

• Moves scenic elements on stage.

• Synonyms: Tech, Techie.

Strike

• Removal of an element from a production or the entire production from the venue.

• Synonyms: Load-out, Put-out, Wrap.

Tab Curtain

• Leg running perpendicular to the plaster line.

Technical Director (TD)

• Coordinates all technical aspects of a production or facility.

Technical Rehearsal

• Rehearsal with technical elements added.

• Synonym: Teleprompter.

Properties Artisan

• Craftsperson who constructs and modifies props during rehearsals.

• Synonyms: Tech, Tech Rehearsal.

Tension Wire Grid

• System of interwoven wire rope serving as a working platform.

Properties Designer

• Creates designs for production props.

• Synonyms: Cable Grid, Izenour Grid, Sky Deck®.