Production Terms 1

Question 1

Stage Left

Answer 1

When facing the audience, the area of a stage on the actor’s left.

Question 2

Stage Right

Answer 2

When facing the audience, the area of a stage on the actor’s right.

Question 3

Practical

Answer 3

Any prop or piece of scenery that is usable.

Question 4

Call

Answer 4

The notification to cast and crew of rehearsal or performance. Also countdown to curtain.

Question 5

Light Board

Answer 5

The console that controls all the lighting instruments.

Question 6

Dimmer Board

Answer 6

The light board (aka the switch board).

Question 7

Apron

Answer 7

Stage area in front of proscenium.

Question 8

Catwalk

Answer 8

An immobile platform above the stage that reaches from one end of the stage to the other, used to gain access to the stage equipment.

Question 9

Ghost Light

Answer 9

A light left on when the theatre is locked up for the night.

Question 10

Green Room

Answer 10

A backstage room used by actors and crew as a waiting and meeting area.

Question 11

House

Answer 11

The part of the theatre where the audience sits.

Question 12

Sightlines

Answer 12

Imaginary lines of sight that determine what is visible to the audience on stage and what is not.

Question 13

Mask

Answer 13

To hide any stage equipment or offstage area through the use of curtains, flats, etc.

Question 14

Wings

Answer 14

The right and left sides of the backstage area.

Question 15

Worklights

Answer 15

Lights used for general illumination of the stage when not in performance.

Question 16

Fourth Wall

Answer 16

An imaginary wall between the actors and the audience that disallows interaction between two groups of people.

Question 17

Legs

Answer 17

Narrow curtains or cloth that hang vertically on sides of the stage to mask the backstage area. Aka Tormentors.

Question 18

Traveler

Answer 18

A curtain that can open to the side of the stage.

Question 19

Blacks

Answer 19

Black clothes worn by SM during productions. OR black drapes or tabs used for masking.

Question 20

Blocking

Answer 20

The movement and business of an actor on stage.

Question 21

Cue

Answer 21

A signal for the stage manager that puts into action a shift in lights, sound, or scenery.

Question 22

Curtain

Answer 22

A literal curtain OR start or end of a performance.

Question 23

Prompt Script

Answer 23

SM’s notebook with all paperwork for production of the play, including script with blocking and cues. AKA Prompt Book.

Question 24

Run

Answer 24

Total number of performances for a production.

Question 25

Ground Plan

Answer 25

A scale diagram that shows where the scenery is placed on the stage floor. Aka Floor Plan.

Question 26

Instrument

Answer 26

A term for any lighting device.

Question 27

Instrument Schedule

Answer 27

A list of the types of lighting instruments to be used in a show. Aka Hookup Sheet.

Question 28

Light Plot

Answer 28

A draw-up plan that designates the placement of lighting instruments relative to set.

Question 29

Read-through

Answer 29

usually 1st rehearsal where company reads through the script

Question 30

Run-through

Answer 30

To rehearse the show by performing from beginning to end without stopping.

Question 31

Arena Stage

Answer 31

A stage with an audience on all four sides. Aka Theatre in the Round.

Question 32

Center Line

Answer 32

An imaginary line or real line that divides the stage area into two equal parts- from downstage to upstage.

Question 33

Proscenium

Answer 33

The outlining frame of the stage opening that separates the house from the stage. Aka Proscenium Arch.

Question 34

Raked

Answer 34

A stage that is built on an upward slant.

Question 35

Spike

Answer 35

To mark on the stage or rehearsal floor the placement of set pieces.

Question 36

Spike Mark

Answer 36

A mark on the stage or rehearsal floor, usually a piece of tape, that denotes the specific placement of a piece of scenery or prop.

Question 37

Thrust Stage

Answer 37

A type of theater in which the audience is seated on three sides of the stage.

Question 38

Sides

Answer 38

A bound excerpt from a play that focuses on one character’s line.

Question 39

On Book / Off Book

Answer 39

When SM or assistant is following the script in order to help actors when they stumble over lines.

Question 40

Prompt

Answer 40

To help an actor with his lines when he either asks or is stumbling.

Question 41

Blackout

Answer 41

A rapid extinguishing of all light on stage.

Question 42

Paper Tech

Answer 42

A meeting between the director, designers and SM to define and record the series of technical events required to operate the production.

Question 43

Tech(nical) Rehearsal

Answer 43

The rehearsal or series of rehearsals in which the technical elements of a show are integrated with the work of the actors. Aka Tech.

Question 44

Cue Sheet

Answer 44

The page(s) used to note the cues given by SM to technicians.

Question 45

Flies

Answer 45

The area above the stage that contains lines to be raised or lowered.

Question 46

Grid

Answer 46

A steel framework above the stage which the fly system is rigged. Aka Gridiron.

Question 47

Dry Tech

Answer 47

A technical rehearsal without actors.

Question 48

Backstage

Answer 48

The area away from the acting area, including dressing rooms and the green room. Aka Off-stage.

Question 49

Focus

Answer 49

To direct and lock down a lighting instrument in its specific stage area.

Question 50

Electrician

Answer 50

A theater technician who installs and/or operates the lighting for a production.