May 15, 2025
This document provides a glossary of terms used in technical theatre, essential for beginners and professionals alike. Below are some key terms and concepts:
ABTT: Association of British Theatre Technicians, formed in 1961 to facilitate discussions among theatre professionals.
Act:
Acting Area: The space on stage where actors perform, visible to the audience.
Apron: Section of the stage that projects into the auditorium, also known as the forestage.
Arena: Stage format with audience on at least two sides; can have three or all four sides.
ASM: Assistant Stage Manager.
Audition: Process for performers to showcase their skills to a director or casting director.
Auditorium: Part of the theatre where the audience sits; also known as the "house."
Backstage: Areas out of the audience's view, including technical zones and personnel.
Black Box: A flexible studio theatre space, typically all in black, allowing for various audience configurations.
Blackout:
Blacks: Black clothing for stage management or black drapes used for masking.
Blocking: Arranging actor movements on stage, recorded in the prompt script.
Box Set: A naturalistic setting on stage with three walls, simulating a room.
Break a Leg: A phrase used instead of "Good Luck," which is considered bad luck.
Call: Notification for a working session or actor request to the stage.
Callbacks: Additional auditions for a shortlisted group of actors.
Cast: Members of the acting company.
Casting: Director's process of choosing actors for roles.
Centre Line: Imaginary line down the center of the stage, used for reference during set assembly.
Clearance: Message indicating the audience is ready for the performance to start.
Company: The cast, crew, and staff involved in a production.
Costumes: Clothing worn by actors, managed by the wardrobe department.
Cue: A command for a technical operation or signal for actors to perform an action.
Cue to Cue: Technical rehearsal skipping dialogue to focus on technical elements.
Cyclorama: A curved wall or cloth at the back of the stage, often used as a sky backdrop.
Dark: Theatre is closed to the public or has no scheduled performances.
Dialogue: Conversations between characters in a play.
Director: Responsible for the artistic vision and overall direction of a production.
Downstage: Part of the stage closest to the audience.
Dress Rehearsal: Full rehearsal with all technical and creative elements as in the actual performance.
Front of House (FOH): Theatre areas accessible to the public, including lighting focused towards the stage.
Get-In / Get-Out: Process of moving set and equipment into or out of the theatre.
Green Room: Relaxation area for actors.
Interval: Break between sections of a performance, known as intermission in the USA.
Marking Out: Using tape to indicate scenery positions on the floor.
Matine / Matinee: An afternoon performance.
Preset: Initial setting of technical elements before a scene or act starts.
Props: Items on stage that actors interact with, apart from set or costumes.
Proscenium Arch: The frame through which the audience views the performance, separating stage from auditorium.
Technical Rehearsal: Rehearsal integrating all technical elements with the performance.
Upstage: Part of the stage furthest from the audience; also refers to drawing attention away from main action.
Wings: Areas to the sides of the acting area, out of audience view, used for entrances and exits.
This glossary offers a foundational understanding of technical theatre terms, crucial for effective communication and operation within theatre production environments. For a more comprehensive list, refer to the full Glossary of Technical Theatre Terms.