Technical Theatre Vocabulary & Terminology

Define: Stage

• The primary playing space is surrounded by the apron, wings, and fly space.

• Part of a fly system.

• The height that a batten or other object hangs at.

• The name for a particular place where lighting units are hung in a theater.

Define: Ground plan

• is drawn in measured scale and represents the view of the set from above.

• A piece of scenery sitting on the floor upstage, hides the bottom of a sky drop, cyc, or drop and creates the sense of a horizon with the sky beyond.

• A series of pulleys, ropes, wires, and/or other apparatus collectively allow the hanging and movement of curtains, lighting instruments, scenery, and even people.

• The height that a batten or other object hangs at.

Define: Blackout

• Removing all light from the stage as quickly and suddenly as possible

• A set with three walls

• Using a light board to change the look of the lights onstage from one appearance to another

Define: Backdrop

• a collection of stage drapery

• are painted to resemble some sort of scene or abstract image.

Define: Props

• Items that performers handle or items that actors refer to in some way.

• A type of theatrical lighting unit that casts a relatively wide, smooth beam of light.