Stage Management

Front

Paper Tech

Back

A meeting between the director, lighting designer, stage manager, and possibly sound designer to discuss and notate cues before any other technical rehearsals. The paper tech can be held anywhere.

Front

Dry Tech

Back

A technical rehearsal without actors. In this rehearsal, the director gets to see the light cues, and the director and sound designer can set sound cue levels. It can also be an opportunity to rehearse the shifts.

Front

Shift Rehearsal

Back

A specific rehearsal that allows the crew and stage management staff to rehearse the transitions from scene to scene. Some scene shifts involve actors, and they can be called to this rehearsal as well.

Front

Deck Manager

Back

The assistant stage manager who is in charge of the backstage area. The production stage manager is in the tech booth and relies on the deck manager to manage the backstage area (the deck).

Front

Strike

Back

To remove an item, such as a prop or scenic piece, from the stage. A strike is also a work call that occurs after the run of a show is over: The set is torn down, and props and costumes are stored or returned.

Front

Sitzprobe

Back

A rehearsal with the orchestra or band where the actors are present to “sing through” the show prior to adding in blocking and technical elements.

Front

House

Back

The area where the audience sits - the auditorium.

Front

Cue-to-Cue

Back

A full company rehearsal where the show is run from cued segment to cued segment. The stage manager will stop the run to skip over parts of the show that don’t have cues. This type of tech rehearsal allows rehearsal to move quickly.

Front

Cue Light

Back

A light with a switch that allows the stage manager to cue actors and crew members backstage or in various areas of the house. The light turned on means the “standby” and the light turned off is the “go.”

Front

Standby

Back

A warning from the stage manager of an approaching cue in the show. When a technician or actor is in standby, they are focused on the show and ready to go as soon as the cue is called.