Glossary
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| Act Drop | A painted canvas stretched over a frame used to disguise scene changes |
| Advance Bar | 1) Lighting bar positioned just downstage of the proscenium arch. 2) Somewhere to go before dinner. |
| Aero | A high intensity Par lamp with a narrow beam (name derives from aircraft landing lamps) |
| Apron | 1) An area of a stage floor that projects towards/into the auditorium See also: Thrust. 2) PPE for caterers (see PPE) |
| Arch | A curved structure that spans an opening |
| Arena | Auditorium where the audience are seated on at least two (possibly three, or four) sides of the stage. Individual blocks of seats may face in different directions, generally towards the stage. |
| Auditorium | The part of the theatre accommodating the audience during the performance. Sometimes known as the "house". All seats usually face nominally in the same direction. |
| Backflap | A hinge used in scenery construction. |
| Backlight | A light behind scenery or performers (usually from upstage) |
| Backstage | 1) The rear area of the stage that is out of the sight of the audience. 2) The service areas of the venue not accessible to the audience. |
| Baffle | 1) A sheet of material used to prevent a spill of light in a lantern or in part of a set. 2) A panel in a loudspeaker cabinet designed to reduce interference noise. 3) A panel in an auditorium positioned to reduce sound reflections. 4) What technical terms do to non-technical people |
| Balanced Line | A method of carrying sound signals through cables that reduces interference. |
| Balcony | 1) A platform projecting from a wall. 2) An area of seating in an auditorium above the lowest level |
| Ballast | 1) Counterweight used to stabilise a structure. See also Kentledge. 2) Colloquialism for the remote power supply unit for some types of lamp |
| Ballyhoo | Motion of a followspot beam swung in a figure of eight pattern. |
| Bar | 1) A suspended horizontal tube for hanging lighting or scenery. Also known as a Barrel. When vertical, known as a Boom. 2) First place to look for missing performers and techies. |
| Base Pad | A plate (usually timber) used to distribute load over an area. |
| Baseplate | A metal plate used for distributing load at the bottom of a scaffold vertical or raker. |
| Bass Bin | A speaker cabinet specifically designed to reproduce low frequency sound (typically the lowest two octaves) See also Subwoofer |
| Battens | 1) Scaffold term for timber or steel deck planks. Usually thicker than scaffold boards) 2) A strip of wood used to stiffen a face material (e.g. plywood) or cover a joint 3) A strip of wood used to secure cloth or tarpaulin (as in "batten down the hatches") 4) Linear strip of compartmentalised floodlights, set so that each floodlight may have a different colour 'gel'. |
| Beam Angle | The angle of the cone of light produced by a light. |
| Beamlight | Lamp with an intense near-parallel beam. Also known as a Beam Projector. |
| BeBe | Manual tensioning device using a ratchet mechanism and a short length of chain or used by riggers to tension steel wires. |
| Blacks | 1) Any black drapes or tabs, Used for masking technical areas. 2) Black clothing worn by theatrical stage crew |
| Blinders | Lamps arranged around the stage directed at the audience. |
| BNC | Coaxial cable connector used for carrying a composite video signal or radio frequency signal. (Bayonet Neill Consulman - after original inventors) |
| Bomb Tank | Mesh covered metal bin or box in which pyrotechnics can be safely detonated. |
| Border | 1) A narrow horizontal masking piece to mask a lighting rig or flown scenery from the audience. 2) Somewhere to run for when it all goes wrong. |
| BP Screen | Back Projection screen. Translucent material stretched on a frame, used to show an image when the projector is on the opposite side of the screen to the audience. |
| Brace | A diagonal tube fixed between elements of a scaffold or between the floor and a piece of scenery. Used to provide stability. |
| Bridle | 1) Rigging equipment (usually steel wire rope and accessories) used to hang a load from two or more points that are not directly above the load. 2) A scaffold tube used as an intermediary support to another tube. 3) Something to do with weddings (But spelt Bridal). 4) Something to do with horses. |
| Busbar | Metal bar carrying incoming electrical supply into which portable dimmer racks or other large power requirements can be wired directly. An enclosure containing busbars is a Busbar Chamber. |
| Cable Tie | Locking plastic strap used to tie a bundle of cables together, amongst many other things. |
| Camlock | 1) A mechanical fixing, allegedly quicker than a nut & bolt, used to join sections of truss together. Nowhere near as strong as a nut & bolt and prone to both damage and incorrect assembly. We don't use them! 2) Brand name for a type of single pole heavy duty mains power plug and socket system. Used generically to indicate one or more cables fitted with these connectors |
| Cans | 1) Headset earpiece and microphone. Term also used for headphones. Derivation from ParCan 2) Something used by caterers |
| Cantilever | A horizontal projection from a building or structure. Supports load without external bracing. |
| Catenary | A tensioned steel cable, usually horizontal, often used to support drapes or electrical cables. |
| Centre Line | Imaginary line running through the centre of a stage (upstage or downstage). |
| Cherry Picker | Hydraulically operated work platform, on an extending boom, usually on a self-propelled base. Able to reach both horizontally and vertically. Correctly known as a MEWP (Mobile Elevated Work Platform) (also see Flying Carpet) |
| Clutch Chain | Serves the same purpose as a Stac Chain, but uses conventional short links, any of which can be located in a curved hook (clutch) attached to one end of the chain, thereby shortening its length. See also Stac Chain. |
| Compressor | 1) Audio system device to squeeze the extremes of volume into a defined band that can be safely handled system components, especially loudspeakers and broadcast equipment. 2) Device to provide pressurised gas (typically air) to power special effects devices or tools for use in dangerous environments. 3) Something that makes your Mercedes go faster (spelt Kompressor) |
| Counterweight System | Method for flying scenery etc that uses weights to counterbalance the weight of flown items. |
| Coupler | A component used for fixing scaffold tubes together. Double Couplers fix tubes that are at 90 degrees to each other. Sometimes referred to as "Doubles" or "Nineties". Swivel Couplers fix tubes that are at angles to each other (N.B. they do not fix the angle!). Sometimes referred to as "Swivels". Joint Pins are an expanding fitting, fitted internally to scaffold tube, used to connect tubes coaxially. Sleeve Couplers connect two scaffold tubes axially. Fitted externally to the tubes. Sometimes referred to as "Sleeves". |
| C.P.L. | Centre point load. A load that is applied at the mid-span position of the supporting member (e.g. truss or beam). |
| Crossover | 1) An audio system device that splits the overall sound signal into upper and lower frequency bands for subsequent processing by dedicated amplifiers and loudspeakers. 2) A device that enables vehicles to drive over cables (usually across a road) without damage to the cables |
| Cupola | 1) A dome roof mounted on a circular or polygonal base. 2) The central support mechanism for the canvas of a traditional circus tent. |
| Cyclorama | Usually known as a "cyc". A fabric backdrop wall for a stage, nearly always curved and frequently lit to create a feeling of distance or space. |
| Datum | Single reference point from which all measurements are taken. Typically the centre of the edge of the stage nearest to the audience is used. This position is known as DSC (Down Stage Centre). |
| Dead Hang | 1) To fly an item without a counterweight. 2) To hang a load without the use of a mechanical hoist. 3) Also used to denote a hanging point where the support is directly above and therefore does not need bridles |
| Delays | 1) Additional loudspeakers placed within the audience area so that the loudspeakers on stage don't have to be so loud. The electronic signal has to be delayed, in time, so that sound from all speakers reaches the listener at the same time. 2) Catching a train to the gig. |
| Delay Towers (or masts) | The structures used to support Delayed loudspeakers. |
| De-Rig | The process of returning a venue to its normal state by removing structures, PA, lights and cables. |
| Desk | 1) Piece of equipment (mixing desk) from which sound or lighting equipment can be controlled. 2) Collective term for players in a section of orchestra (viz. Second desk of violins) |
| Dip | 1) Small covered trap in a stage floor concealing electrical outlets. 2) Fading lighting to a lower intensity. 3) Transparent lacquer for colouring lights. |
| Dim | 1) Fading lighting to a lower intensity 2) What everyone backstage thinks everyone else is. |
| Dock | 1) An area adjacent to a stage, often raised, onto which equipment is unloaded from delivery vehicles. 2) An area in which mobile stage and scenic equipment is 'parked' when not on-stage 3) Location for floating stages |
| Dolly | A platform on wheels used to store and move equipment. |
| Downstage | The area of the stage nearest to the audience. Originates from the days of sloping theatre stages which were always higher at the back to facilitate audience sight lines |
| Double | 1) See Coupler 2) Stand-in for a performer |
| Drapes | Stage curtains. See also Tabs, Blacks. |
| Eaves | The edge of a roof that projects beyond a wall. Often used to denote the vertical 'ends' of a sloping roof |
| Elevator Stage | A mechanised stage that has sections that can be raised or lowered. |
| False Proscenium | A set of scenic elements used to reduce the size of the opening in a proscenium arch. |
| Falsework | A temporary structure used to support load. |
| Fascia | A flat, vertical, outer surface, usually to hide or decorate the structure behind. . |
| Festoon | 1) Tabs that have a sculpted shape. 2) A cable with a number of lights permanently attached at regular intervals. |
| Finial | An ornament al top or end to a post or pole. |
| Flat | 1) A scenic element consisting of a timber frame covered with canvas. 2) The opposite of Shiny when applied to paint finishes. Similar to Matt. 3) What a stage floor should be! |
| Fly | The action of hanging loads from an overhead support. Equipment so supported is said to be 'flown' |
| Fly Bars | Metal bars with pickup points that are used between lifting devices and the loads. Used for flying PA, lights and scenery. |
| Flying Carpet | Mechanically operated work platform, usually on a self-propelled base. Similar to a Cherry Picker but the platform travels vertically only. |
| Fly Tower | The vertical extension to the stage roof where flown equipment can be raised until out of sight of the audience. Frequently known as "the flies". |
| FoH | See Front of House. |
| Follow Spot | A powerful spotlight, with an operator. The light beam can be moved around to follow a performer on stage. Some versions are being introduced that follow a performer automatically. |
| Front of House (FoH) | The audience area at a venue. Often used to denote the area or structure situated within the audience area, used to house sound and lighting control equipment. |
| Front Tabs | House curtains. |
| Fumph | Somewhere between fear and sex. (Thanks Fritz) |
| Fuzz Light | A lamp with a revolving mirror and a coloured plastic dome. |
| Gable | The top triangular area of a wall at the end of a pitched roof. |
| Gaffer Tape | Cloth tape, sticky on one side. Used for temporarily securing almost anything or for marking-out. Name derives from the film industry term for the senior electrician. Warning! Most brands of gaffer tape are not good insulators. |
| Generator | 1) Usually a combination of an Alternator that produces electricity when rotated and an Engine (frequently diesel powered) that provides the rotation. 2) A device that produces specific (often audio) electrical signals usually used for testing audio and similar systems. |
| Going | The horizontal length of a stair tread (in the direction of the stairs). See also Rise. |
| Graphic | Graphic Equaliser. Tone control for audio systems where the linear controls provide a Graphic representation of the Equalisation applied to the system to improve sound quality. |
| Grid | A horizontal assembly of structural members designed to transfer loads back to the nearest support. In temporary situations, they may hang from the roof of a venue (A 'flown' grid orsee Fly) or be supported on vertical masts in which case the whole structure is known as a Ground Support. |
| Ground Support | A structure of truss beams and masts used to support flown equipment. Typically used in venues where the roof cannot support the weight of equipment that is to be flown. |
| Hard Hat | Personal Protective Equipment for heads. Used when work in process above the wearer. Minimum standards apply. (See PPE) |
| Harness | A collection of webbing belts worn around the body that provides secure attachment to fall arrest or work positioning equipment. (See PPE) |
| Hi-Viz | Hi visibility clothing or usually fluorescent yellow. Often fitted with reflective strips for nighttime use. Typically used in areas of poor visibility where mechanical plant is in use. Mandatory minimum standards in force when used on public highways (See PPE) |
| Hot Head | 1) Broadcast quality camera operated by remote control. 2) Temperamental performer or technician |
| House | The auditorium. Can also be used to denote the whole venue, in which case FoH denotes the auditorium area. |
| Jig Saw | 1) Power driven (usually) saw for cutting curves and more intricate shapes. 2) Something to do during a very boring show, original examples were cut with a jig-saw hence the name. |
| Joint Pin | 1) See Coupler 2) A pin used to support your joint. |
| Jumbotron | Brand name for an active video screen. Formed of several (heavy) modules that use a matrix of tiny cathode ray tubes to provide each pixel of an image. Often used as a generic term for active video screens. See LED Screen |
| Kabuki Drop | Method for dropping a banner or cloth from a flown bar that rotates to allow the fabric to drop off metal spikes attached to the bar. Originates from a traditional form of Japanese theatre that used the technique for scene changes when it was not physically possible to build a 'Fly tower'. |
| Kader | A location system that links fabric sheeting to aluminium or plastic extrusion. From the Dutch term for edge. The extrusion is commonly referred to as 'shotgun'. |
| Kentledge | Counterweight used to stabilise a structure. Sometimes referred to as "ballast". |
| Lampy | Term of endearment for a lighting technician. |
| LED Screen | An active video display screen, frequently in transportable modules, where the light source is derived from thousands of small Light Emitting Diodes that each make up an individual pixel of the overall image. |
| Ledger | 1) A horizontal tube component in a scaffold. 2) Something that tour accountants use. |
| LOLER | Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (1998). Statute law governing all lifting and rigging at all types of venues and performances. |
| Mandraulic | A derogatory (usually) term for a method of moving heavy equipment (often a scenic element) by hand when this is a cheaper alternative to a powered system that is really justified. |
| Nineties | See Coupler. |
| Noise Boy | Term of endearment for a sound technician. |
| Offstage | Out of sight from the audience. |
| Onstage | In sight of the audience. |
| Par | A Parabolic Aluminised Reflector lamp An abridged version of Par Lamp, Par Can, or Par Light. |
| Pink Noise | Sound (White Noise) containing all frequencies in the audio spectrum of the human ear, electronically processed so that every sound frequency appears to be at the same volume. See White Noise. |
| Picker | See Cherry Picker |
| Pickle | 1) The hand control unit used by riggers for local control of an electric chain hoist. 2) Something used by caterers. |
| Plan Brace | Any horizontal diagonal brace used to stiffen a structure. So called as only visible on the 'Plan' view of a 2D drawing of a 3D structure. |
| Podium | A small stage, sometimes on a larger stage, often used for an orchestral conductor or lead performer. |
| PPE | Personal Protective Equipment. Includes hardhats, gloves, goggles, harnesses, aprons, steel toe cap boots, hi-viz clothing etc. |
| Proscenium | The opening on a stage through which the audience views the performance. |
| PSU | Power Supply Unit. (see Ballast) |
| Putlog | A length of scaffold tube, usually about 5ft long, flattened at one end. Originally used for constructing access scaffolds to brick walls. (Flattened end fits in mortar gap between bricks). |
| Ratchet Strap | A webbing strap, often used to secure loads on trucks, with a rotary tensioning device that is prevented from un-tensioning by a ratchet mechanism. |
| Rear of House (RoH) | The backstage and storage areas of a theatre. |
| Revolve | A large turntable system built on or into a stage floor. |
| Rider | 1) (Technical Rider) Information sent to a venue or promoter detailing requirements for stage, sound and lights. Other sections of a rider may detail requirements for dressing room and catering facilities. 2) Something to do with horses |
| Rigger | 1) One who rigs. Rigging is generally taken as the action of suspending equipment from an overhead support (see 'Fly'). Used by some people to denote assembly of technical systems (eg audio systems) without the action of 'flying'. 2) Used in the broadcast sector to denote some-one who deals with scaffolding and heavy equipment in general. |
| Rise | The vertical height of between treads on a staircase. See also Going. |
| Riser | 1) A platform on stage (Rolling Riser if fitted with wheels) 2) The vertical portion of a stair. |
| Roadie | Almost obsolete (except in USA) term of endearment for any touring crew, usually with pop groups. Now used by people not in the industry and part timers with amateur performers. |
| Rostrum | See riser 1). |
| S.W.L. | 1) Safe Working Load. The maximum load that should be applied to a piece of equipment or suspension point. Mandatory to mark this on all pieces of Lifting Equipment. (See LOLER) 2) Safe Working Ltd - a company supplying specialised training for people that have to work at height in the entertainment industry |
| Scaff | Abbreviation of Scaffold. Other terms include "Pipe and clip", "Poles and planks" and "Tube and fit". |
| Scaffer | Term of endearment for someone who builds scaffolds. |
| Septic | Term of endearment for Americans. Derives from Cockney rhyming slang. Email us if you can't figure it! |
| Sharkstooth | A material used for fabric scrims. |
| Skill Saw | Term used by those who can't pronounce "Circular Saw". Notable for the fact that it requires less skill than a handsaw. Originates from the trade name' SkilSaw' |
| Sightlines | The extreme boundaries of area where the audience can see the stage with an unobstructed view. |
| Sleeves | 1) See Couplers. 2) What T-shirts don't have. |
| Soca | See Socapex. |
| Socapex | A multi-pin connector for electrical cables. Various sizes and configurations available. |
| Soleplate | A spreader used to distribute load over an area. Scaffold boards are often used. See Basepad. |
| Spanset | An endless fabric 'roundsling' strap used for supporting load. Various sizes and load ratings available. |
| Sparks | (or Sparkie) Term of endearment for an electrician. |
| Spike | 1) To mark, on a stage floor, the position of an item of set/scenery. 2) To secure a cable in position on a stage floor ("Spiking"). |
| Stac Chain | A short length of steel chain with elongated links, each big enough to take a shackle pin, used to adjust the length of steel wire ropes in rigging applications. |
| Stage-Left | Left-hand side of the stage from the performers point of view. Stage-left is on the right from the audience point of view. |
| Stage-Right | Right-hand side of the stage from the performers point of view. Stage-right is on the left from the audience point of view. |
| Stanchion | A vertical supporting column. |
| Standard | 1) A vertical scaffold tube founded at base level. 2) Published document setting out minimum requirements |
| Strop | 1) A rope or band used to support load. 2) What a rigger has when he realises catering closed while he was still "up the truss". |
| Strut | An element of a structure, frequently a scaffold, that works in axial compression. |
| Sub-Bass | Low frequency speakers. |
| Sub-Woofer | Low frequency speakers |
| Swivs | Swivels - See Coupler |
| Tabs | Movable stage curtains (horizontally or vertically). Abbreviation of "tableaux curtains". |
| Tab-Track | A horizontal track for suspending movable curtains or cables. |
| Tallescope | An extending vertical ladder on a wheeled base with stabilisers. Used for rigging lights, etc. |
| Techie | A term of endearment for a stage technician. |
| Telehandler | Similar to a Rough Terrain Forklift, but with the forks attached to a hydraulically operated telescopic arm. |
| Thrust | 1) An area of stage that projects into the auditorium. 2) Something that rock stars do |
| Tie | 1) An element of a structure, frequently a scaffold, that works in axial tension. 2) Something, long, soft and useless that hangs down in front of a man. |
| Transom | A horizontal component in a scaffold, often used to support a deck surface. |
| Trap | Small covered trap in a stage floor concealing electrical outlets. (See Dip) |
| Treads | 1) The horizontal part of a stair. See also Going. 2) Generic name for stage staircases or sets of steps. |
| Trim | The vertical height from the floor of the stage to the underside of any support structure above. |
| Truck | A Riser on wheels used to enable equipment or scenery to be rolled on and off a stage. May be power driven, usually remotely. |
| Twirlies | A term of endearment for performing members of a ballet group. |
| U.D.L. | Uniformly distributed load. A load that is spread evenly along the length of the supporting member (e.g. truss or beam). |
| Upstage | The area of the stage furthest from the audience. Responsible for the expression "to upstage someone" from the days when a performer was upstage of another performer standing in front of them. See Downstage. |
| Underworld | A floor level under a stage floor used to house equipment such as dimmers and amplifiers. |
| Vidiot | Term of endearment for video technicians |
| Vomitory | An access or egress way through banked seating. Sometimes known as a Vom. |
| White Noise | Sound containing all frequencies in the audio spectrum of the human ear, and all at the same volume level. Due to the characteristics of human hearing, the higher frequencies appear to be louder. See Pink Noise. |
| Wipe | 1) A single moving curtain on a track (wipe track). See also Tabs. 2) Something used by caterers |
| X-brace | Opposing diagonal braces used to stiffen a structure |