Drama and Theatre Glossary

This glossary has been provided to support the teaching and learning of this qualifiction.
You might find this helpful to support students in developing their knowledge and
understanding of subject specific terminology.

Performance
Term Definition
acting area that area within the performance space within which the actor may
move in full view of the audience. Also known as the playing area
acting style a particular manner of acting which reflects cultural and historical
influences
action the movement or development of the plot or story in a play; the
sense of forward movement created by the sense of time and/or
the physical and psychological motivations of characters.
analysis in responding to dramatic art, the process of examining how the
elements of drama—literary, technical, and performance—are used
antagonist the opponent or adversary of the hero or main character of a
drama; one who opposes and actively competes with another
character in a play, most often with the protagonist
apron the area between the front curtain and the edge of the stage.
arena stage type of stage without a frame or arch separating the stage from
the auditorium, in which the audience surrounds the stage area;
see theatre-in-the-round.
articulation the clarity or distinction of speech aside Lines spoken by an actor
to the audience and not supposed to be overheard by other characters on-stage.
black box a one-room theatre, without a proscenium arch; interior is painted
black, including walls, floor, and ceiling, and any drapes are also
black.
blocking the path formed by the actor’s movement on stage, usually
determined by the director with assistance from the actor and
often written down in a script using commonly accepted theatrical
symbols.
business a piece of unscripted or improvised action, often comic in intention,
used to establish a character, fill a pause in dialogue, or to
establish a scene. An author may simply suggest 'business' to
indicate the need for some action at that point in the play.
catharsis the feeling of release felt by the audience at the end of a tragedy;
the audience experiences catharsis, or is set free from the
emotional hold of the action, after experiencing strong emotions
and sharing in the protagonist’s troubles.
character a person portrayed in a drama, novel, or other artistic piece.

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Term
Definition

characteristion how an actor uses body, voice, and thought to develop and
portray a character.
choreography the movement of actors and dancers to music in a play.
chorus a group of performers who sing, dance, or recite in unison; in
Greek drama, the chorus was the group of performers who sang
and danced between episodes, narrated off-stage action, and
commented on events.
climax the point of greatest intensity in a series or progression of events
in a play, often forming the turning point of the plot and leading to
some kind of resolution.
comedy a play that treats characters and situations in a humorous way. In
Shakespeare’s time, a comedy was any play with a happy ending
that typically told the story of a likable character’s rise to fortune.
In ancient Greece, comedies dealt almost exclusively with
contemporary figures and problems. Low comedy is physical rather
than intellectual comedy; high comedy is more sophisticated,
emphasizing verbal with more than physical action.
comic relief a break in the tension of a tragedy provided by a comic character,
a comic episode, or even a comic line.
concentration the actor’s focus, also called centering; focusing on the work at
hand, being in character, or being in the moment.
conflict the internal or external struggle between opposing forces, ideas, or
interests that creates dramatic tension.
contrast dynamic use of opposites, such as movement/stillness,
sound/silence, and light/darkness.
dénouement The moment in a drama when the essential plot point is unravelled
or explained.
development progression of the plot or conflict in a play.
dialogue spoken conversation used by two or more characters to express
thoughts, feelings, and actions.
dynamic the energetic range of or variations within physical movement or
the difference between levels of sound
end on Traditional audience seating layout where the audience is looking at
the stage from the same direction. This seating layout is that of a
Proscenium Arch theatre. See also THRUST, IN THE ROUND,
TRAVERSE.
ensemble the dynamic interaction and harmonious blending of the efforts of
the many artists involved in the dramatic activity of theatrical
production.
exposition the part of a play that introduces the theme, chief characters, and
current circumstances.

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Term
Definition

farce an extreme form of comedy that depends on quick tempo and

flawless timing and is characterized by improbable events and
farfetched coincidences; from the French meaning “to stuff.”
flashback in a non-linear plot, to go back in time to a previous event; a flash
forward would move the action into the future.
focus in acting, the act of concentrating or staying in character.
fourth wall the invisible wall of a set through which the audience sees the
action of the play.
genre a category of literary or dramatic composition; drama is a literary
genre. Drama is further divided into tragedy, comedy, farce, and
melodrama, and these genres, in turn, can be subdivided.
gesture any movement of the actor’s head, shoulder, arm, hand, leg, or
foot to convey meaning.
imaging a technique which allows performers to slow down and focus
individually on an issue. The performers, sitting quietly with eyes
closed, allow pictures to form in their minds. These images may be
motivated by bits of narration, music, sounds, smells, etc.
improvisation the spontaneous use of movement and speech to create a
character or object in a particular situation; acting done without a
script.
inflection change in pitch or loudness of the voice. interaction the
action or relationship among two or more characters.

irony an implied discrepancy between what is said and what is meant.

There are several forms of irony. Verbal irony is when a writer or
speaker says one thing and means something else (often the
opposite of what is said). When the audience perceives something
that a character does not know, that is dramatic irony. Situational
irony can be described as a discrepancy between expected results
and the actual results.
isolation control of isolated body parts; the ability to control or move one
part of the body independently of the rest.
kinaesthetic resulting from the sensation of bodily position, presence, or
movement.
language in drama, the particular manner of verbal expression, the diction
or style of writing, or the speech or phrasing that suggests a class
or profession or type of character.
mannerism a peculiarity of speech or behaviour.
melodrama a style of play, which originated in the 19th century, relying heavily
on sensationalism and sentimentality. Melodramas tend to feature
action more than motivation, stock characters, and a strict view of
morality in which good triumphs over evil.

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Term
Definition

mime acting without words.

mirroring copying the movement and/or expression or look of someone else
exactly.
monologue a long speech made by one actor; a monologue may be delivered
alone or in the presence of others.
mood the tone or feeling of the play, often engendered by the music,

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Term
Definition

setting, or lighting.
motivation the reason or reasons for a character’s behaviour; an incentive or
inducement for further action for a character.
movement stage blocking or the movements of the actors onstage during
performance; also refers to the action of the play as it moves from
event to event.
naturalism a style of drama that developed in the late 19th century as an
attempt to represent real life on stage faithfully and without
artifice; the actions of characters tend to be dominated by
determinism (societal or environmental forces).
pace rate of movement or speed of action parody a mocking or satirical

imitation of a literary or dramatic work.

performance include acting (e.g., character motivation and analysis, empathy),
elements speaking (breath control, vocal expression and inflection, projection,
speaking style, diction), and nonverbal expression (gestures, body alignment, facial
expression, character blocking, movement).
pitch the particular level of a voice, instrument or tune.
plot the events of a play or arrangement of action, as opposed to the
theme.
plot development the organization or building of the action in a play.
posture Physical alignment of a performer’s body or a physical stance
taken by a performer which conveys information about the
character being played
projection how well the voice carries to the audience.
prompt to give actors their lines as a reminder; the prompter is the one
who assists actors in remembering their lines.
Proscenium a frame or arch separating the stage from the auditorium. The
proscenium opening was of particular importance to the Realistic
playwrights of the 19th century, such as Ibsen and Shaw, for
whom it was a picture frame or an imaginary fourth wall through
which the audience experienced the illusion of spying on
characters.
protagonist the main character or hero in a play or other literary work.
proxemics contemporary term for ‘spatial relationships’, referring to spatial
signifiers of the relationship between different performers or a
performer and elements of the set which convey information about
character and circumstances.
realism an attempt in theatre to represent everyday life and people as they
are or appear to be through careful attention to detail in character
motivation, costume, setting, and dialogue. Plays from this period

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Term
Definition
(from 1820 to 1920) seek the truth, find beauty in the
commonplace, and focus on the conditions of the working class.
Henrik Ibsen is an exemplar of the movement; he influenced
others such as George Bernard Shaw and Anton Chekov.
resolution how the problem or conflict in a drama is solved or concluded.
rhythm measured flow of words or phrases in verse forming patterns of
sound. Regularity in time or space of an action, process or feature.
ritual a prescribed form or ceremony; drama grew out of religious ritual. role the
character portrayed by an actor in a drama.

role playing improvising movement and dialogue to put oneself in another’s

place in a particular situation, often to examine the person(s)
and/or situation(s) being improvised.
satire a play in which sarcasm, irony, and ridicule are used to expose or
attack folly or pretension in society.
scene a small section or portion of a play.

scenography the art of creating performance environments using one or more

components including light, costume, set , space and sound.

set the physical surroundings, visible to the audience, in which the

action of the play takes place.
setting when and where the action of a play takes place.
sightlines imaginary lines of sight that determine what areas of the stage are
visible to the audience from any given seat in the house.
soliloquy a speech in which an actor, usually alone on stage, speaks the
inner thoughts of his/her character aloud.
sound the effects an audience hears during a performance to
communicate character, context, or environment.
sound elements music, sound effects, actors’ voices.
space a defined area
spatial traditional term for what is currently referred to as ‘proxemics’,
awareness referring to spatial signifiers of the relationship between different
performers or a performer and elements of the set which convey information about
character and circumstances.
stage presence the level of comfort, commitment, and energy an actor appears to
have on stage.
staging another term for blocking; deliberate choices about where the
actors stand and how they move on stage to communicate
character relationships and plot and to create interesting stage
pictures in relation to set, properties and audience and effects
created by lighting, for example.
stock characters characters who represent particular personality types or
characteristics of human behaviour. Stock characters are

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Term
Definition
immediately recognizable and appear throughout the history of
theatre, beginning with Greek and Roman comedy and elaborated
upon in commedia dell’ arte.
story line the plot or plan of action.
structure The arrangement of and relationship between the constituent parts of a
whole as in ‘prologue, exposition, denouement’ or scenes and acts within a play.
stylisation the shaping of dramatic material, settings, or costumes in a
deliberately non-realistic manner.
suspense a feeling of uncertainty as to the outcome, used to build interest
and excitement on the part of the audience.
symbolism the use of symbolic language, imagery, or colour to evoke
emotions or ideas.
tableau a technique in creative drama in which actors create a frozen
picture, as if the action were paused; plural is tableaux. Not to be
confused with freeze frame, which is a term used in film and video
production and which should not be used when discussing drama.
tempo relative speed or rate of movement in pace over time, e.g. the
speed at which the music for a dance should be played. Can be
applied to dramatic contexts such as in ‘tempo rhythm’.
tension the atmosphere created by unresolved, disquieting, or
inharmonious situations that human beings feel compelled to
address; the state of anxiety the audience feels because of a
threat to a character in a play.
text the basis of dramatic activity and performance; a written script or
an agreed-upon structure and content for an improvisation.
theatre games improvisational exercises structured by the director or teacher to
achieve a specific objective, such as breaking down inhibitions or
establishing trust.
theatre-in-the- an acting area or stage that may be viewed from all sides
round: simultaneously.
theme the basic idea of a play; the idea, point of view, or perception that
binds together a work of art.
thrust a stage that extends into the audience area, with seats on three
sides of a peninsula-shaped acting space.
timbre The distinctive character or quality of a musical or vocal sound
apart from its pitch or intensity such as in a nasal voice quality.
timing includes setting cues for effects and lighting, synchronizing two or
more things that must happen simultaneously, and establishing
the pace at which lines will be delivered or the play performed.
traverse form of staging where the audience is on either side of the acting
area. See also IN THE ROUND, END ON, THRUST.
turning point: the climax or high point of a story, when events can go either way.

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Term
Definition
upstage: (verb) to deliberately draw the audience’s attention away from another
actor or actors by overacting, using flashy bits of business, or
other means; term originated from an actor purposefully
positioning himself upstage of the other actors so that they must
turn their backs on the audience to deliver their lines to him.
vocal expression how an actor uses his or her voice to convey character
vocal projection directing the voice out of the body to be heard clearly at a distance.
voice the combination of vocal qualities an actor uses such as
articulation, phrasing, and pronunciation.
wings offstage areas to the right and left of the acting/onstage area.

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Costume Design
Term Definition
accessories anything carried or worn on top of the basic costume for
decorative purposes, e.g. a purse or shawl
basic block a pattern which is the starting block for a more detailed pattern
based on a particular actor’s measurements, and reflecting
specifics like historical period
basting sewing fabric pieces together with long or loose temporary
stitches
breaking down artistic process of aging or distressing a costume. Paint, glue,
dye, ripping and tearing can be used in this process.
costume what an actor wears to evoke the appearance of a particular
character. Costumes maybe realistic or stylised. They may be
“period”—appropriate to the historical setting of the play—or
deliberately modern in look, even when the play is set in a past
era.
costume build the process of constructing the costume 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 parade costume check on stage
(or dress parade) costume plot a list or chart made by the costume designer
showing the characters appearing in each scene, and what they are wearing. This
helps track each character’s whereabouts throughout the performance.
cutter skilled wardrobe craftsperson who creates the patterns and is
responsible for the construction of the female costumes. The
cutter’s tools include craft paper, T square and fashion ruler.
draping creating a pattern by draping muslin on a dress form, pinning
and tucking to get the desired shape, and transferring that shape
to craft paper.
dresser crew member who aids with dressing

dress form the adjustable torso (male and female) used by costume cutters,
dressmakers and tailors for creating garments; useful for:
creating shapes from which patterns are made (draping), fitting
and detailed in-place sewing.
dress rehearsal dress full costume/lighting/effects/sound/ action rehearsal

dressing rooms rooms containing clothes rails and mirrors (often surrounded with
lights) in which actors change into their costumes and apply
make-up. Dressing Room doors have a list of the actors
contained within. See also GREEN ROOM.
First Hand an assistant to a cutter or tailor who may sew the costume
together, assist at fittings, supervise the sewing team and do the
finishing details on a costume.

Term Definition

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fittings the process of adjusting the costume to the actor’s body.

flat drafting the use of a basic block and cutter’s tools to draft a pattern on
craft paper.
gondola an enclosed easily transportable costume rail with removable
side which enables large shows to manage huge quantities of
costumes, wigs etc. easily.
hand the way a particular fabric feels when it is touched; it may have
a soft hand, or a crisp hand, etc.
Head of wardrobe person in charge of the wardrobe and responsible for budgeting,
supplies, staff allocation.
maquette a model of the set or costume sketch intended for use by the
builder as a guide to construction.
mock-up a full-scale model of a costume, used as a test-run.
muslin a simply woven cotton fabric used to make the costume mock-
up, also called factory cotton or unbleached cotton
pancake water based stage make up, applied with sponge preliminaries the
costume designer’s first rough drawings which are assessed for feasibility and
affordability
personal props small props that are usually carried in an actor’s costume, such
as money or a pen
props abb. for Properties. Any items used onstage which are not
costume or scenery; any moveable object that appears on stage
during a performance.
quick change a change of costume that needs to happen very quickly takes
place close to the side of the stage. Costume designers need to
know about the need for a quick change so that the costume is
made incorporating elements such as velcro and zips rather than
buttons. A quick change room is often erected at the side of the
stage to enable changes to take place in privacy.
quick change area adjacent to the stage containing lighting, a mirror and a
room costume rail in which actors can make costume changes quickly,
sometimes with the aid of a dresser.
seamstress member of the wardrobe department who operates sewing
machines and carries out other sewing tasks.
silhouette a figure whose outline indicates the shape of clothing in a
particular historical period.
stock costumes stored from previous productions for recycling and
reuse.
swatch a sample of fabric to demonstrate the material to use on a
costume or set design, or a sample of lighting gel. A catalogue of
all the gel colours made be a particular manufacturer is called a
SWATCH BOOK.
T-square ruler, with perpendicular crosspiece at one end (it looks like the

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Term Definition
letter “T”), used for establishing and drawing parallel lines.
tailor an expert in building clothing for men: historic costumes, military
costumes and formal wear. A tailor would create the patterns for
jackets, trousers and shirts using the actor’s body
measurements.
unpick small cutter designed for unpicking a sewn seam. Useful for
undoing alterations to a costume following a production.
wardrobe the general name for the costume department, its staff and the
accommodation they occupy.
wardrobe washing and repair of costume maintenance wardrobe 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.
working drawings drawings made in addition to designers

Lighting Design
Term Definition
advance Bar lighting bar hung from auditorium close to stage amp abb.
amplifier used to amplify sound AMP abb. Ampere, a unit of electrical current
baby Spot small spotlight under 500w backlight light coming from upstage,
behind scenery or actors, to sculpt and separate them from the background
back projection a method of projecting images onto a translucent screen from
behind. Often used for projected scenery or special effects.
Because the projector is usually close to the screen, special lenses
are needed to ensure that the image seen by the audience is large
enough.
bar metal tube used for hanging lanterns barn-door a rotatable attachment
consisting of two or four metal flaps (hinged) which is fixed to the front of a Fresnel
or PC type lantern to cut off the beam in a particular direction(s).
Profile lanterns use SHUTTERS to achieve a greater degree of
control and accuracy.
battens compartmentalised floodlights set up so as to allow colour mixing.
See also GROUNDROW. Low voltage battens are commonly used
as light curtains & for colour washes. Known in the US as a Strip
light.
beam Light lantern with no lens but with parabolic reflector
bifocal spot profile lantern with two sets of shutters, one of which produces a
hard edge, and one a soft edge. Not necessary in zoom profiles,
because this requirement is fulfilled by two lenses.
blackout a lighting cue where all stage lights go off simultaneously.

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Term Definition
board abb. for “lighting control board” build increase light levels
bulb round lighting check channel connected circuit in lighting system
check decrease light levels cinemoid type of colour gel circuit
means by which a lantern can be identified and connected to a dimmer
clamp normally used to attach lanterns to bars colour call list of gels for
a design colour filter a sheet of plastic usually composed of a coloured resin
sandwiched between two clear pieces. The coloured filter absorbs all the colours of light
except the colour of the filter itself, which it allows through. A colour filter is sometimes
known as a Gel, after the animal material Gelatine, from which filters were originally
made.
colour mixing combining the effects of two or more lighting gels.
control room where lighting is controlled from cross-fade bringing
another lighting state up to completely replace the current lighting state. Sometimes
abbreviated to Xfade or XF.
cue lights system of lights used to give “Cues”.
cue sheet list of effects diffusion gel also called Frost. Softens
light dimmer device that controls electricity passed to
lanterns downlight a light from directly above the acting area.

dress rehearsal full costume/lighting/effects/sound/ action rehearsal

electrician (Chief, Deputy, Assistant) responsible for lighting elex ‘LX’

electrical things or electrical department elex tape “LX” tape sticky back

plastic tape available in various colours ellipsoidal type of reflector used

in profile spots engineer usually “sound” but can be “lighting” fader means
of controlling lights flash when lights are flashed for effect flash up method
of testing lanterns floats jargon for footlights

flood to wash the stage with general lighting. The name given to a basic
box-shaped lantern with a simple reflector used to achieve this
effect.

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Term
Definition
focus The adjustment of lighting/projection equipment and/or the direction
in which it is aimed
focusing session when adjustment and plotting is done follow spot large profile
spotlight with operator fresnel adjustable spotlight giving a diffused light, created by
the construction of its lens of ‘concentric circles’. Used with barn doors.
FX abb. for ‘effects’
gel coloured lighting film (originally made from gelatine) gobo metal
slide placed in gate of lantern which throws a pattern groundrow
floodlight battens placed on stage halogen gas contained in lamps

heads below warning shouted if anything is dropped from above house

lights the lights that illuminate the auditorium before and after the
performance and during intermission.
impedance term of electrical resistance iris device in lantern gate that allows
beam size to be altered kill instruction to stop action or effect lamps the thing

that creates light in a lantern (“bulb” in domestic terms) lantern stage light level
intensity of light
lighting plot lighting cue description light set a term used to describe a
situation where no physical set is used on stage. The ‘set’ is created entirely by means
of lighting.
lose to turn something off limes old term for

Follow Spots mains power source

master lever/slide which controls all light multicore

thick cable containing many cables

PC – prism or “pebble”. A lens in a lantern convex par can

type of lantern containing a fixed beam par lamp
patch panel panel where lighting circuits are connected and changed – ‘patched’

perch lighting position concealed behind proscenium profile spot

lantern which can produce hard or soft light

plot any list of cues

prompt the master copy of the performance, including all blocking, effects and
copy/book cues

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Term
Definition
Term Definition
record plotting a lighting cue by saving it to the lighting board reflector shiny
surface in back of lantern which helps throw light rigging fixing lighting, sound and
scenic devices to the theatre structure saturation rig lighting rig at full capacity
scatter low level light cast at side of normal light beam shin buster low side lights
shutter device in lantern used to shape beam slots side lighting position in
auditorium walls special effects lighting effects used to enhance a theatrical
performance. spill unwanted light on the stage strobe flashing light tech Technical
Rehearsal
throw distance between lantern and object tripe thick bundle of cables from
lighting bar tri-lite lighting/scenic metal section made from three lengths of
lightweight alloy (triangular construction
UV abb. Ultra Violet
working lights lights used by stage crew to aid work

Set Design
Term
Definition
act drop cloth flown in at the end of an act backcloth flown cloth behind
scenic element back projection a method of projecting images onto a translucent
screen from behind. Often used for projected scenery or special effects. Because the
projector is usually close to the screen, special lenses are needed to ensure that the
image seen by the audience is large enough.
bar metal tube used for hanging scenery batten length of wood attached
to cloth to keep it taut book flat a hinged flat border flown scenic element used
in masking box set a set with three walls and a ceiling, leaving the fourth wall to
be imagined by the actors. The box set represents a real room with doors and
windows that work.
brace portable support for flats breaking down artistic

process of aging costume, props or scenery. butterfly tabs tabs

fixed at top and drawn in from sides carpenter (Scenic, Deputy,

Master): maker of scenery centre line imaginary line shown on

ground-plan cleat metal device used for tying sash lines cloth a

piece of scenic canvas, painted or plain, which is flown or fixed to hang

in a vertical position.

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A Backcloth (or Backdrop) hangs at the rear of a scene. A

Floorcloth is a painted canvas sheet placed on the stage floor to
mark out the acting area, or to achieve a particular effect. A
Frontcloth hangs well downstage, often to hide a scene change
taking place behind.
come down when the curtains come down
counterweights system used for lowering and raising scenery curtains at front
of stage - called Tabs curtain up/down beginning and end of performance cut cloth
scenic piece with no centre cyclorama a fabric drop hung from a curved or
segmented batten, or a curved wall at the back of the stage, upon which light can be
cast to create effects (cyc for short).
dead marked position of scenery or equipment dock

area at side/rear of stage for storing scenery

dress rehearsal dress full costume/lighting/effects/sound/ action rehearsal
effect scenic
elevation technical drawing showing side view
EMU electrical Multiple Unit, used to describe stage machinery composed
from multiple moving parts
false pros’ decorative proscenium arch fit up

installation of equipment and scenery

flat a wooden frame, usually covered with painted cloth, used to create
walls or separations on stage.
flies area above stage where flown scenery is kept floor-cloth painted
canvas flooring footing to steady a ladder/flat with your foot flown
scenery or equipment which has been “flown” into the flies fly
raising scenery above audience sight level flyman crew member
operating flying equipment fly tower structure above stage containing

flying equipment

french flat solid flat

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Term
Definition
french brace collapsible brace fixed to flat gaffer
tape sticky back fabric tape

gauze see ‘Scrim’

genie trap a mechanised trap where actor shoots through stage floor get in
when a touring company installs a show get out when touring company
uninstalls show grave trap body length trapdoor in stage grid metal
frames in flying tower from which flying equipment is held (wooden in very old
theatres)
ground-plan technical drawing of stage hand props properties such as
tools, weapons, or luggage that are carried on stage by an individual actor.
header horizontal flying piece horizontal flying piece heads below warning
shouted if anything is dropped from above hemp type of abrasive rope originally used
in theatre for flying hemp flying traditional method of flying using 3 or 5 hemp ropes
and no counterweights
iron fireproof metal curtain ladder framework in shape of ladder leg flown
cloth or flat masking side of stage light set A term used to describe a situation
where no physical set is used on stage. The ‘set’ is created entirely by means of lighting.
lose to remove from set
maquette a model of the set intended for use by the builder as a guide to
construction.
mark it instruction to record position of performer/object on stage mark out
temporary objects/lines on rehearsal floor used to describe set/stage mask
to hide from audience’s sight masking flats/cloths used to Mask model
model of stage design

model box model of theatre in which stage design model is housed milliput type
of modelling plastic used to create model figures and model scenery
out piece of scenery that has been flown “Out”
platform also referred to as a riser or rostrum it is a stationary, standard flat
walking surface for actors to perform on. Typically, they are built to
be assembled modularly. They are often used to provide varying
levels, to make a show more visually interesting. They are also used
to separate areas on stage, and as seating.

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Term
Definition
pin hinge hinge jointed by removable pin practical a working object onstage, such
as a door or window preset position of scenery and effects at start of performance and
scene props abb. for Properties. Any items used onstage which are not costume
or scenery; any moveable object that appears on stage during a performance.
prop box/skip place to store props prop table table
situated in wings on which props are placed props room room for

construction of props pyrotechnics bombs, bangs, flashes

etc.
rigging fixing lighting, sound and scenic devices to the theatre structure
runner used to hold down carpet edges scenery the theatrical equipment,
such as curtains, flats, backdrops, or platforms, used in a dramatic production to
communicate environment.
scenic artists people who paint scenery scrim (or gauze) A drop made of
fabric that seems almost opaque when lit from the front but semi-transparent when lit
from behind.
set the physical surroundings, visible to the audience, in which the
action of the play takes place.
set designer the person who designs the physical surroundings in which the
action of the play takes place.
setting line line past which no scenery, props or furniture may be set
size glue like preparation made from animal bones, used to harden and
preserve canvas on flats
spike nail something to floor stage brace

extending support for scenery stage crew

employed to move/operate scenery
star trap a mechanised trap where actor shoots through stage floor strike
to remove object or scenery from stage swag curtains fashioned

so they do not hang straight

tabs curtains
teaser short flown border tech

technical rehearsal treads steps or

stairs

tri-lite lighting/scenic metal section made from three lengths of lightweight

alloy (triangular construction

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 Glossary

Term
Definition

truck platform with wheels

working drawings made in addition to designers
drawings

Term Definition

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 Glossary

Term
Definition
Sound Design

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 Glossary

horns metal speakers

hypercardioid type of pick-up pattern of a
microphone impedance term of electrical resistance

kill instruction to stop action or effect lavalier type of

radio-mic fitting level intensity of sound lose to turn

something off mains power source

master lever/slide which controls all sound mixer

desk/software for mixing sound multicore thick cable

containing many cables omnidirectional pick up pattern of

microphone overture music which starts a musical

performance PA system the public address system or any

sound system
PFL “Pre Fade Listen” means of listening to a mic channel without bringing up the fader
pitch the particular level of a voice, instrument or tune.
PZM Pressure Zone Mic. Small plate collects reflections of sound into a
small condenser mic
pan to move sound from one place to another plot any list
of cues

prompt the master copy of the performance, including all blocking, effects
copy/book and cues
radio mic personal microphone without power lead rigging fixing lighting, sound
and scenic devices to the theatre structure sound the effects an audience hears during
a performance to communicate character, context, or environment.
sound design the three categories of sound design, are:
Functional (e.g. practical sounds such as a gunshot to coincide with
an action on stage)
Atmospheric (i.e. the possibility of using underscoring that may
include music but which may also be in the form of a soundscape)
Incidental where sound can be used to cover moments of transition
(e.g. between scenes or to cover the placing of stage props).
sound effects 1) Recorded: Often abbreviated to FX. There are many sources for
recorded sound effects, from Compact Discs, to downloading from
the internet. May form an obvious part of the action (train arriving at
station) or may be in the background throughout a scene (e.g. birds
chirping).
2) Live: Gunshots, door slams, and offstage voices (amongst many
others) are most effective when done live.

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 Glossary

sound elements music, sound effects, actors’ voices. special effects

sound effects used to enhance a theatrical performance.

tech technical rehearsal

timbre The distinctive character or quality of a musical or vocal sound apart
from its pitch or intensity such as in a nasal voice quality.

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