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Queens theatre - Glossary Category: Arts > theatre Date & country: 11/10/2007, UK Words: 312

Perch
Position above stage level on the stage side of the proscenium wall either side of the opening.

Periaktoi
A triangular-plan shaped scenic device originating in the classical Greek theatre. Each surface can be painted with a different subject, colour or texture, so that revolving periaktoi can change a scene.

Permanent Making
Show portal, or teaser and tormentors, or similar arrangements of masking pieces which remain in place throughout a performance, regardless of scene changes.

Pin Hinge
A hinge removable pin, used so that the two halves may be easily separated.

Pinspot
A fixture providing a narrow beam of light.

Pit
The area below the front of the stage. May be used to house the orchestra. Also called the Orchestra Pit.

Plaster Line
An imaginary line that runs across the proscenium along the upstage side of the proscenium wall. This line is-used by designers and technicians to position various technical elements in the theatre.

Platform
See rostrum.

Practical
Capable of being used for its apparent function, as distinct from being merely decorative, e.g. a hinged door, a switch that actually controls a light, etc.

Preset
The setting on stage that the audience sees before the play begins, refers to light, set and props.

Profile
Plywood or other thin material covered with canvas or scrim, used for forming non-straight edges to wings, groundrows etc.

Profile Spot
A lantern which enables precise shaping of the light beam and projection of cut out images (gobos),

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

Prompt Box
The traditional position for the prompter in opera is in box let into the front of the stage.

Prompt Corner
The area from which the deputy stage manager runs the show. Usually found just to the right or left of the proscenium backstage. The DSM often sits in the lighting or sound booth to call the show.

Prompt Script
The notebook kept by the deputy/stage manager that contains all paper work necessary to the production of the play, including a script with blocking and cues. Also called Prompt Book.

Prompt Side (Ps)
Traditionally stage left, i.e. actor's left regardless of the position of the prompter.

Prop Table
The table backstage on which props are laid out, usually in a mapped out order.

Props Or Properties
All objects, such as furniture, pictures, carpets, flowers, books, implements, weapons etc., used in a performance (but not including scenery). Categorised into 'hand props' and 'set props' (or 'set dressing').

Proscenium Arch (Pros)
The theoretical 'fourth wall' of a stage. Comprising the proscenium opening and its surrounding. See also false proscenium.

Proscenium Doors
Doors on either side of the stage leading onto a forestage in front of the house curtain.

Pulley
See loftblock.

Quick Change
A fast costume change.

Rail
Horizontal member of the frame of a flat. See also fly rail and toggle rail.

Rake
How sloped the floor of an auditorium or stage is.

Raking Piece
Length of wood tapered for placing under a scenic piece so that it will set level on a raked stage floor.

Ramp
Inclined rostrum, normally sloping up from the stage floor.

Read-Through
Usually the first rehearsal at which the company reads through the script.

Rear Elevation
The scale drawing that gives a back view of the set.

Return
The narrower of two flats; cleated, hinged, or otherwise fixed together at an angle.

Reveal (Thickness)
Piece of timber or other material attached to the edge of an opening (e.g. a doorway) to give the effect of depth or thickness.

Revolve
Circular table forming a permanent part of the stage floor or standing upon it, on which scenery can be set for quick changing of scene or for creating various effects. Sometimes the revolve is formed of two or three rings and a centre, capable of independent or simultaneous movement, differing speeds and opposite directions. It can be turned through 360 degree either manually or by motor.

Rig
To set up scenery on stage. rigging is a collective term for the suspension of equipment. De-rigging is taking it down again.

Riser
The vertical front of a raised stage where it faces the auditorium is the stage riser.

Roller
Where there is no flying space over the stage a backdrop can be rolled and is than called a roller or roll drop.

Rope Lock
The handling rope of a counterweight set passes through a 'rope lock' which when locked prevents any further movement.

Rostrum
Platform placed on the stage floor to create changes of level where required. A large rostrum is usually constructed in sections with loose tops and folding frames, but some small ones are rigid. a sloping rostrum is known as a ramp.

Run
The total number of performances for a production.

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

Runner
A length of stage flooring that can be drawn off sideways leaving a long narrow opening(cut) through which a cloth or flat may be raised.

Runner
Length of carpet used offstage to reduce back stage noise.

Safety Chain
A steel chain used to attach hanging equipment to the support structure as a safety support in case of failure of the primary hanging support (clamp etc.).

Sandbag
Bag of canvas with strap and ring, filled with sand and used for weighting purposes.

Scene Pack
A set of flats etc. which form a particular set.

Scrim
Coarse woven Hessian, or similar material used in scenery construction.

Set
Arrangement of scenery units which together represent a single location. The term is also used as a verb to mean to put up or assemble scenery for use (e.g. to set a stage).

Set Dressing
Props that are used to decorate the set and are usually not handled by actors.

Set Of Lines
Unit group of suspension lines hanging from the grid for the attachment and flying of scenery; there are usually three or four lines in a set. See also counterweights.

Set Piece
Built-up unit of scenery, complete in itself, often three-dimensional and capable of standing free on the stage floor.

Setting Line
The imaginary line across the stage in front of which scenery cannot be hidden by the house curtain. See also curtain Line.

Sheave
Grooved wheel (pulley) over which a line may be passed.

Shift
The process of moving from one setting into another during a play. Also to move (shift) a prop or piece of furniture.

Shot-Bag
Similar to a sandbag but smaller and filled with lead-shot.

Sidelight
Light from the side of an actor facing the audience. Side lighting is often used in dance, as it emphasizes the entire body and movement.

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

Sill Iron
Narrow strip of metal, often half-round, used to brace the bottom of a door flat across the doorway opening.

Single Purchase
A suspension system where there is no gearing of pulleys. The counterweight and its travel will be the same as that of the object which is suspended.

Sky Cloth
Unit of scenery used to convey the impression of open sky. See also Cyclorama.

Smoke Machine
A machine to produce smoke. Most smoke machines use smoke fluid which is heated in the machine and expelled by air pressure to create clouds of smoke or a light haze.

Snap Cue
A cue executed in an instant.

Soft Patch
Moving dimmer channels into control channels with-in the lighting control desk.

Special
A lantern used for one specific object or effect.

Spigot
A male suspension fitting attached to the yoke of a lantern enabling the unit to be attached to a floor stand.

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

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

Spill
Extraneous light from a lantern that can be cut off with a shutter.

Split Colour Frame
A colour frame with sections of different colours in it. This produces a varicoloured beam.

Splitter
Device with two sockets and one plug , to enable two plugs to be attached to one socket.

Spot Block
Pulley fixed to the grid specially for a spot line.

Spot Line
Single suspension line specially rigged from the grid to fly a piece of scenery or stage property which cannot be handled by the regular lines.

Stage Brace
Adjustable device comprising two lengths of wood sliding one along the other and held fast by clamps; used to prop scenery from behind. See also French brace.

Stage Cloth
Large piece of canvas, used to cover the stage floor, often painted to represent paving etc.

Stage Directions
Instructions indicating the movement, blocking, or stage business of the performers or other descriptions of the physical setting or atmosphere of the play.

Stage Left
Actor's left. See prompt side.

Stage Right
Actor's right. See OP.

Stage Screw
Large tapered screw with a ring handle, used to secure a foot-iron to the stage floor.

Steps (Treads)
Light portable stairway, normally in unit sections for easy handling.

Stile
Side or upright member in the frame of a flat.

Strike
Remove set, scenery, props, costumes or lights from the acting area after they have been used, usually at the end of an act.

Surround (Curtains)
Set of legs (ordinary pleated curtains) hung from a curved or angled bar to form the sides and background to an acting area.

Swag
Looped-up curtain, border or leg.

Swatch
A small piece of fabric or paint used to demonstrate the colour and/or texture of the material being used.

Swatchbook
A small booklet with samples of all colour filters manufactured by one company.

Swivel Arm
Device for suspending a leg so that the angle of the leg in relation to the proscenium can be varied.

Tab Warmers
Light on the house curtain before the beginning of a show or act.

Teaser
Border hung between the tormentors, just between the proscenium opening. See also permanent masking.

Technical Rehearsal
The rehearsal or series of rehearsals in which the technical elements of the show are integrated with the work of the actors. Also called The Tech.

Throw Line
Length of cord attached by a grummet to a piece of scenery and used to secure the piece to an adjacent piece.

Throw-Line Cleat
Metal fitting attached to a flat or other piece, round which the throw-line is passed when securing adjacent pieces together.

Thrust Stage
A type of theatre in which the audience is seated on three sides of the stage.

Thunder Sheet
A sheet metal, usually steel, suspended somewhere on the stage area, which when shaken gives a sound effect of thunder.

Tie-Off Cleat
Metal fitting around which a throw-line is made fast.

Toggle Rail
Movable horizontal member in the frame of a flat, between the top rail and the bottom rail.

Tormentor
Substantial wing, not necessarily painted, placed immediately behind the proscenium opening, to mask the off stage edges of the setting etc. See also permanent masking.

Track (Curtain Track)
Rails from which curtains are hung and along which they may move.

Traps
Removable areas of the stage floor that allow access to the area underneath the stage. Special purpose traps are grave traps, dip traps and star traps.

Traveller
A curtain that can open to the sides of the stage.

Treads
See steps.

Trim
Level off a piece of suspended scenery at the right height for use during a performance.

Truck
See wagon.