| A |
 |
|
 |
| Acoustical
Reflector Panel (Cloud) |
 |
A
reflective panel hung in the auditorium,
generally above the audience, that is used
to direct sound into desired zones. Often
decorative in nature.
|
|
| Acoustics |
|
The science of, and study of sound. The acoustics of a room or space depend on its size and shape and the amount and position of sound-absorbing and sound reflecting materials. |
|
| Act
Curtain |
|
A
curtain (sometimes designed for a specific
show) that is opened to signal the beginning
of a performance. The Front Curtain is often
used for this purpose.
Additional Info |
|
| Amphitheater |
|
Circular or open-air theater with a large raked seating area. |
|
| Apron |
|
The portion of stage that extends beyond the proscenium opening. |
|
| Arbor |
|
A
carriage or rack that contains weights,
usually flame cut steel or cast iron, in
sufficient quantity to balance a load.
|
|
| Arbor
Pit |
|
An
area located below an opening in the stage
floor that permits greater travel for counterweight
arbors and pipe battens.
|
|
| Arena (Arena Stage) |
|
A
performance space with seating all round
the performers. Examples include theaters,
basketball courts, and indoor rodeos.
|
|
| As
Built Drawings (Final Drawings) |
|
Equipment
or layout drawings that show equipment as
it was actually built and intended to be
installed. They may not reflect actual,
as installed, conditions.
|
|
| Audience |
|
The area of the theater where visitors sit to view a stage performance.
|
|
| Auditorium |
|
A
hall or seating area within the hall where
the audience views a performance.
|
|
| Auditorium Curtains |
|
See 'Curtains.' |
|
| Austrian
Curtain |
|
A
curtain that is raised (opened) with brailed
lifting lines and is sewn with both vertical
and horizontal fullness.
Additional Info |
|
|
|
|
| B |
|
|
|
| Back Curtain |
|
See 'Rear Traveler'
Additional Info |
|
| Back Light |
|
Light falling on an actor or subject from behind; used to separate the actor or subject from the background. |
|
| Backstage |
|
The
stage area that is located beyond the sight
of the audience. Usually behind curtains
and other masking devices. |
|
| Bar
Joist |
|
A
beam fabricated using lightweight rolled
or fabricated sections that is used for
long spans under light loading conditions. |
|
| Batten |
|
A
bar, usually made from steel pipe, from
which scenery, lights and curtains are hung.
Additional Info |
|
| Batten
Clamp |
|
See 'Pipe Clamp.'
Additional Info |
|
| Beam |
|
A
structural member (usually horizontal in
a building structure) that resists bending. |
|
| Beam
Clamp |
|
A
device from which a load is hung, attached
to the flange of a steel beam without altering
the beam in any way.
Additional Info |
|
| Belaying
Pin |
|
A
wood or steel rod, inserted into a hole
in a pin rail, that secures ropes attached
to a load. They are typically removable. |
|
| Black
Box |
|
A
room (often painted black) that is intended
for performance and lacks a permanent configuration,
seating, or fixed performance area. Provision
for performance lighting
and props or curtains is often made. |
|
| Bleed Through |
|
The transformation from a scene downstage to a scene upstage with the use of a scrim. This is achieved by slowly crossfading lighting from downstage to upstage. If the scrim is lit steeply, or from the sides, it will appear opaque. If this light is turned off and light is added to the set upstage of it, it will appear to disappear. |
|
| Block |
|
An
assembly that consists of one or more sheaves
and
axles in a housing. |
|
| Blocking |
|
The process of arranging moves to be made by actors during the performance, recorded by stage management in the prompt script. |
|
| Border
Curtain |
|
A
curtain used to define the top limit of
the stage and to mask or hide lights and
unused scenery and curtains.
Additional Info |
|
| Brail
Curtain |
|
A
curtain that is raised (opened) with brail
type lift lines and is sewn flat or has
horizontal fullness.
Additional Info |
|
| Brail
Lines |
|
Lifting
lines that pass through a row of rings sewn
to the back of the curtain and attach at
the curtain bottom. The curtain folds up
when the lines are pulled. |
|
| Brail
Winch |
|
A
winch designed to work as part of a rigging
system to raise and lower a curtain from
its bottom support using cables run through
rows of rings on the back of the curtain. |
|
|
|
|
| C |
|
|
|
| Cable
Cradle |
|
A
device that supports an electrical cable
loop and prevents sharp bends. It often
has a hole for attachment of a lifting line. |
|
| Cable
Reel |
|
A
drum for holding hose or various types of
electrical cable that winds using springs
or a motor. The hose or cable is connected
at the hub of the drum so the connection
to other systemsis maintained as the drum
rotates. |
|
| Cable
Roller |
|
A
roller assembly designed to prevent moving
cables from contacting any part of a building
or adjacent rigging. Not intended to change
cable direction or carry loads. |
|
| CAD |
|
Computer-Aided Design |
|
| Canvas |
|
Used as a lighter alternative to cover flats. |
|
| Catwalk |
|
Platform, either over stage or house used to gain access to rigging or stage lighting equipment. |
|
| Center Line |
|
An imaginary line running down the stage through the exact center of the proscenium opening. Marked as CL on stage plans and the back of some stage drapery. Normally marked out on the stage floor and used as a reference when marked out or assembling a set. |
|
| Certified
Rigger |
|
A
rigger who has passed the "Entertainment
Technician Certification Program" (etcp)
exam and is recognized as competent to do
rigging for a period of time. This certification
is based on both experience and a written
test. Regular re-certification is required. |
|
| Chain Hoist |
|
A lifting device comprised of an electric motor and gear/chain drive system. Chain hoists are commonly used to lift portable trusses into place for touring concerts and performances. |
|
| Clew |
|
Device
that connects several ropes or cables to
one, usually stronger, rope or cable. |
|
| Commando |
|
(Often referred to as Duvetyne) A woven masking fabric made from 100% cotton. A popular studio backdrop and stage cyc set fabric. It is often black.
Additional Info |
|
| Competent
Person |
|
The
ESTA/ANSI Series E1 standards definition
is a person who is capable of identifying
existing and predictable hazards in the
workplace, and who is authorized to take
prompt corrective measures to eliminate
them. |
|
| Connector Strip |
|
An electrical distribution device designed to provide power to lighting fixtures on stage or in the house. Typically it has multiple circuits, often with more than one outlet or receptacle per circuit. |
|
| Contour
Curtain |
|
A
brail or Austrian curtain rigged so that
each lift line may be operated separately
to form different shaped openings.
Additional Info |
|
| Counterweight |
|
(n)
Weights, usually flame cut steel or cast
iron, that are placed in counterweight arbors
to balance the weight of loads hung on battens.
(v) The act of adding or removing weight
from a set in order to achieve a balanced
system. |
|
| Counterweight
Set |
|
A
rigging system where the load is balanced
by a counterweight so that only a small
force is required to overcome friction and
move the load.
Additional Info |
|
| Cross
Over |
|
A
corridor created by an upstage curtain and
the rear stage wall that allows actors and
other personnel to cross from one side of
the stage to the other side out of sight
of the audience. |
|
| Curtains |
|
(Auditorium curtains, auditorium drapery, auditorium draperies, auditorium drapes, theater curtains, theater drapery, theater draperies, theater drapes, theatre curtains, theatre drapery, theatre draperies, theatre drapes) Any fabric panel that is hung as part of a scene or to mask unwanted views.
Additional Info |
|
| Curtain
Track |
|
A
formed or extruded shape that contains moving
carriers and supports drapery. They often
have a cord or other means to open and close
the drapes. |
|
| CWANA |
|
Complete with all necessary accessories. On rope-operated track, this generally includes channel, single carriers, master carriers, live end pulley, dead end pulley, tension floor pulley, lap clamps, hanging clamps, end stops, and cord. |
|
| Cyclorama (Cyc) |
|
(1)
Curtain at the rear of the performance area
used to represent the sky or distant areas.
(2) Set of borders, legs, and drops used
to define the limits of a performance area.
Additional Info |
|
| Cyc Set |
|
General term for legs, borders, travelers; more specifically, all stage drapes except the main curtain and main valance. |
|
|
|
|
| D |
|
|
|
| Dead
End |
|
The
end of a rope or part of a device that is
not active or load carrying. |
|
| Dead
Hung |
|
Directly
fixed to the structure or attached at a
fixed elevation using chain, rods, or cable.
Additional Info |
|
| DFR |
|
Durably Flame Retardant |
|
| Design
Load |
|
The
load that a system or equipment item is
designed to carry. This load can be made
up of dead loads, live loads, dynamic loads,
and environmental forces. |
|
| Digitally Printed Backdrop |
|
Digital graphics printed on grand format printers for use as stage backdrops.
Additional Info |
|
| Double
Purchase |
|
A
rope or cable that passes from a lifting
device (arbor, winch, or person) over a
block, to a block attached to the load,
and tied off at the previous block, is double
purchased. The system allows twice as much
load to be raised for a given effort, but
the rope or cable must be pulled twice as
far, so total work done remains the same. |
|
| Down
Stage |
|
The area of the stage that is closest to the audience. See 'Raked Stage.' |
|
| Drapes |
|
See 'curtains.' |
|
| Draw Curtain |
|
See 'traveler.' |
|
| Drop
Curtain |
|
A
curtain that is painted or constructed in
a manner that makes it a part of the scenic
environment.
Additional Info |
|
| Drum
Winch |
|
A
winch with a drum for wrapping cable as
it is taken up. One end of the drum is typically
supported by a bearing while the other end
is connected to the output shaft of the
gear box. |
|
| Duvetyne |
|
(Often referred to as Commando) A woven masking fabric made from 100% cotton. A popular studio backdrop and stage cyc set fabric. It is often black.
Additional Info |
|
|
|
|
| E |
|
|
|
| Electric |
|
A
name given to a pipe batten used to support
lighting lighting equipment in a theater. |
|
| Elevation Drawing |
|
A drawing that shows the vertical face of an object or system. |
|
| ESTA |
|
Entertainment Services & Technology Association |
|
|
|
|
| F |
|
|
|
| False Proscenium |
|
A portal that sits in front or inside the real proscenium; giving the set its own "picture frame." |
|
| Field
Check |
|
A
visit made to an installation project for
the purpose of obtaining project measurements,
checking its status, and
finding potential conflicts. |
|
| Fire
Safety Curtain |
|
A
curtain that closes automatically in event
of a fire to prevent heat, smoke and flames
on the stage from reaching the
audience. The curtain may be closed when
the space is not occupied to prevent unauthorized
access and to prevent falls from the edge
of the stage.
Additional Info |
|
| Flat |
|
A lightweight wood frame covered with scenic canvas or muslin.
Additional Info |
|
| Fleet
Angle |
|
The
angle formed between the centerline of a
sheave or drum and another sheave or fixed
point. |
|
| Floor
Block |
|
Pulley
mounted at the floor to hold a rope or cable
in position and to reverse its direction.
Floor blocks meant for rope often incorporate
a means of adjustment to accommodate
changes in length due to loads or environmental
conditions. |
|
| Flown |
|
Suspended
in a manner that permits the equipment
to be raised and lowered. |
|
| Fly |
|
The
act of lifting scenery, lights, and curtains. |
|
| Fly
Gallery |
|
A
gallery or catwalk above the stage floor
from which counterweight and hemp (rope)
rigging is operated. |
|
| Fly
Loft |
|
The
space between the roof and the performance
area that is not visible to the audience. |
|
| Forestage |
|
The
portion of the stage located in front of
the proscenium or main curtain line. |
|
| Fourth Wall |
|
The imaginary wall of a box set through which the audience can see the stage. |
|
| FR |
|
Flame Retardant by the immersion process. |
|
| Fixed
Speed |
|
A
winch that operates at a single speed with
no ability to modify the speed. Fixed speed
winches are typically used for low speed
setup or heavy load applications. |
|
| Front Curtain (House Curtain, Main Curtain, Main Act Curtain, or Proscenium Curtain) |
|
A
curtain used to define the stage location
to the arriving audience. It is often the
curtain closest to the audience
and may also perform the function of an
"Act Curtain."
Additional Info |
|
| Front of House (FOH) |
|
The area of the theater in front of the proscenium arch. |
|
| Fullness |
|
Additional
fabric that is added to a curtain to be
sewn into pleats. 100 percent fullness means
that the curtain would
be double its finished width before the
pleats are made.
Additional Info |
|
|
|
|
| G |
|
|
|
| Gridiron
(Grid) |
|
An
open floor, usually made from light steel
channels or grating, that is located near
the roof steel.
It provides mounting locations for rigging
equipment and access to that equipment
for inspection and maintenance. |
|
| Green Screen |
|
See 'Keying Fabric' |
|
| Guide |
|
To
control the movement of rigging devices
by means of slides or rollers moving in
tracks or on stretched cables. |
|
| Guide
Shoe |
|
A
rolling or sliding device that connects
a counterweight arbor or sliding tension
block to guide rails in order to guide its
travel. |
|
|
|
| Guide
Rails |
|
Components that confine and control the movement of counterweight arbors and tension floor blocks. See 'J-Guide, A-Guide, Lattice Track, T-Guide, and Wire Guide.' |
|
|
|
|
| H |
|
|
|
| Hand
Line |
|
A
line, usually rope, that is pulled by hand
to lift or control the movement of a load. |
|
| Hand
Winch |
|
A
device that consists of a hand crank that
rotates a drum or pulley through a torque
multiplying / speed reducing mechanism.
|
|
| Head
Block |
|
A
pulley mounted to support steel that changes
the direction of lift and operating lines
between the loft blocks and an arbor
or winch. |
|
| Head
Block Beams |
|
Structural
framing designed to support the head blocks
and all related loads. Usually consisting
of one or two beams
and associated bracing members. |
|
| Heat
Resisting Border |
|
A
curtain that is placed between stage masking
curtains and a heat source, such as a stage
light, to prevent a fire. The heat resisting
curtain employs a fabric which is fire proof,
rated for high temperatures and spreads
the heat from hot spots. |
|
| Hemp
(Rope or Spotline) Rigging |
|
A
rigging system that employs ropes and sandbags
instead of counterweight arbors or other
devices. Usually used for
temporary rigging. |
|
| House |
|
See 'Auditorium.' |
|
| House Curtain |
|
See 'Front Curtain.' |
|
| House
Left/Right |
|
The
sides of an auditorium as seen by an audience
member while facing the stage. |
|
| |
|
|
| I |
|
|
|
| Idler |
|
A
pulley designed to support one or more cables
but not to make direction changes. |
|
| IFR |
|
Inherently Flame Retardant |
|
| In The Round |
|
Theater in the round is a type of audience seating layout in which the acting/performance area is enclosed on all sides by seating. |
|
| Index
Light |
|
A
series of lamps in a special housing designed
to illuminate the locking or
pinrail area. |
|
| Index
Strip |
|
A
device located at the front of a locking
rail to hold line set identification
labels. |
|
|
|
|
| J |
|
|
|
| J-Guide |
|
J-shaped
aluminum members fixed in parallel rows
for the
purpose of guiding arbors or clews. |
|
|
|
|
| K |
|
|
|
| Kabuki Drop |
|
Technique of dropping a drape from a flying bar. It generally consists of a rotatable bar which is attracted to a standard flying batten. The bar has pointed prongs welded to it, from which the drop is suspended by use of grommets (and bunched horizontally). On cue, when the bar is rotated (so that the pointed prongs point downward), the drape consequently drops rapidly. |
|
| Keying Fabrics |
|
Specialty fabric used as a backdrop in special effects for television and movies.
Additional Info |
|
| |
|
|
| L |
|
|
|
| Ladder |
|
A non-climable structure (usually made of metal) in the shape of a ladder from which stage lighting can be hung in a vertical "stack." |
|
| Leg
Curtain |
|
A
curtain used to define the side limit of
the stage and to mask or hide actors, lights,
and unused scenery in the off stage
area (wings).
Additional Info |
|
| Leno |
|
A seamless, woven fabric, primarily used as a cyc fabric for stage or studio use. It is a particularly useful backdrop for television.
Additional Info |
|
| Lift
Line |
|
Any
rope or cable located between a load and
a winch or counterweight arbor. |
|
| Lighting
Bridge |
|
A
walkway across the stage (fixed or flown)
where lights are hung and where they may
be adjusted and maintained. |
|
| Lighting Designer |
|
The person whose primary responsibility is the visual design of the lighting for a play, show or production. Often, in the theater, the lighting director is responsible for all aspects of the asthetic design of the production. |
|
| Lighting Director |
|
The person who is primarily in charge of the lighting for a touring show or television production. Often, the lighting director is also the lighting designer. |
|
| Line
Set |
|
A
system consisting of one or more lift lines
and related components operating together
to lift, lower, or suspend a load. |
|
| Lining |
|
Backing of a curtain for a finished look or for protection from the movement of scenery.
Additional Info |
|
| Limit
Switch |
|
An
electro-mechanical switch that trips (changes
state) when contacted by a moving device.
They are used to halt the motion of a winch
or other electro-mechanical device. |
|
| Line
Shaft Winch |
|
Winch
with a series of cable drums connected to
a gearbox by a common shaft. |
|
| Live
End |
|
The
end of a rope or part of a device that is
active or load
carrying. |
|
| Live
Load |
|
That
part of a system load that may be added
or deleted (i.e. lights hung from a pipe
batten). |
|
| Loading
Gallery (Loading Bridge) |
|
A
gallery above the stage floor where technicians
add and remove counterweights from the arbors.
Usually located so technicians have access
to arbors when battens are
at their lowest positions. |
|
| Load
Sensing |
|
A
mechanical or electrical device that senses
the load in a cable or block and produce
a signal that can be read by a controlling
device |
|
| Locking
Rail (Loading Rail) |
|
A
structural railing designed to support rope
locks in a way that allows them to be easily
operated. It holds the out of balance loads
from the rigging system held by rope locks.
It also serves as a safety railing for operators
and other personnel. |
|
| Loft
Block |
|
A
pulley mounted to the gridiron or support
steel that supports and changes the direction
of a lift line cable between
the load and the head block. |
|
| |
|
|
| M |
|
|
|
| Main Curtain |
|
See 'Front Curtain.' |
|
| Masking |
|
A
set of curtains or scenic elements used
to define the visual limits of a performance
area.
Additional Info |
|
| Motorized
Rigging |
|
A
theatrical rigging system using powered
winches and other
devices to move equipment rather than muscle
power.
Additional Info |
|
| Mule
Block |
|
A
pulley that supports and changes the direction
of one or more cables traveling between
loft blocks and head block. |
|
| Multi-Cable |
|
Electrical
cable (borderlight cable) with multiple
conductors that conducts electrical power
to multiple circuit wire ways and boxes
on the stage. At least one conductor must
be used as a grounding wire. |
|
| Multi-Line
Block |
|
Any
block that can support more than one line.
See "Incremental Block" and "Multi-Sheave
Block". |
|
| Multi-Sheave
Block |
|
A
block with more than one sheave, each of
which can support and change the direction
of a rope or cable. Sheaves can be held
by a common shaft or by multiple shafts
within a common housing. |
|
| Multi-Sheave
Block |
|
A
block which contains a number of sheaves
and sets of bearings so that each rope or
cable can operate independently. |
|
| Muslin |
|
Tightly woven cotton fabric often used for covering of scenery as well as for bounce drops in lighting.
Additional Info |
|
|
|
|
| N |
|
|
|
| NFR |
|
Non-Flame Retardant |
|
| Nicopress® |
|
A
registered trademark of the National Telephone
Supply Company, used to describe compression
type sleeves placed at the end of a wire
rope to interconnect two ropes or to form
an eye at the end. |
|
|
|
|
| O |
|
|
|
| Off
Stage |
|
The
stage floor area that is not a part of the
acting area and is not visible to the audience. |
|
| Olio
Curtain |
|
A
curtain located between the "Front"
or "Act" curtains and the "Rear"
curtain that closes off a portion of the
acting area for more intimate
presentations. It is often colored or decorative.
|
|
| On
Stage |
|
The
portion of the stage area visible to the
audience, usually defined by masking curtains,
scenery,
an orchestra shell, or by lighting. |
|
| Orchestra |
|
(1)
A group of musicians who play instrumental
selections (2) The portion of the auditorium
on the main floor that is closest to the
musicians and the acting area. |
|
| Orchestra
Lift |
|
A
moving platform that is used to adjust the
elevation of the musicians in relation to
the stage and auditorium. Usually operates
within the confines of an orchestra pit.
|
|
| Orchestra
Pit |
|
A
depressed area between the stage and audience
seating area where musicians sit, so the
audience can hear the music and see the
performance over the heads of the musicians. |
|
| Orchestra
Pit Filler |
|
Removable
platforms that are used to close off the
orchestra pit at the level of the stage
or auditorium |
|
| Orchestra
Pit Lift |
|
A
section of the orchestra pit floor that
may be raised and lowered by some mechanical
(typically motorized) means. |
|
| Orchestra
Shell |
|
An
enclosure on stage, consisting of walls
and a ceiling that reflects sound into the
auditorium. Usually decorative in nature. |
|
| Out-of-Balance |
|
A
condition that exists when the weight of
a batten, fittings, and attached loads do
not equal that of counterbalancing equipment
such as counterweight and an arbor. For
safe and efficient use, manually operated
sets should be balanced to within 50 pounds
of neutral. |
|
| Outrigger |
|
A
barrier device that protects counterweight
arbors from scenery, etc. that may be leaned
against them. Often also supports index
lights. |
|
|
|
|
| P |
|
|
|
| Paint
Frame |
|
A
rigid frame, usually made of wood, to which
drops and flats may be attached vertically
for painting. They are normally rigged to
be raised and lowered so painters can reach
all areas of the frame |
|
| Pinrail |
|
A
railing with holes to accept belaying pins.
May also act as a safety railing at the
edge of a gallery or walkway. |
|
| Pipe
Clamp |
|
Clamping
device that bolts around a pipe for attachment
of chain or cable hangers.
Additional Info |
|
| Pipe
Grid |
|
Horizontal
structure hung over a stage or auditorium
to support lights and scenery. Made from
pipes crossing on right angles
at set intervals.
Additional Info |
|
| Pivot
Block |
|
A
pulley designed to adjust to structures
at odd angles. |
|
| Plan
Drawing |
|
A
drawing that shows the layout or top view
of a construction or object. |
|
| Point
Hoist |
|
A
single line winch, used singularly or in
groups, to hold a load at a specific point
over the stage. They are the motorized equivalent
of spot lines, providing the greatest flexibility
possible in automated rigging (Similar to
a dimmer per circuit in lighting.). |
|
| Portal |
|
A
portal consists of a header (border) and
tabs (legs) that can be moved to adjust
the size and shape of the proscenium opening
to fit various performance needs. It is
usually
located just up stage of the front curtain
and may have provision for mounting lights. |
|
| Purchase
Line |
|
See 'Hand Line.' |
|
| Projection Screen |
|
Installation consisting of a blank surface and a support structure used for displaying. |
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| Proscenium |
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The
dividing wall or barrier between the audience
and the stage. |
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| Proscenium Arch (Proscenium Opening) |
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The
opening in the proscenium through which
the audience
views a performance. |
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| Proscenium Curtain |
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See 'Front Curtain.' |
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| Q |
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| R |
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| Rain Curtain |
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Main act curtains made in a multitude of metallic or colored layers.
Additional Info |
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| Raked
Stage |
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A
sloped platform that is lower near the audience
for better visibility and higher at the
rear, providing the illusion of distance.
This
is the source for the terms "Down Stage"
and "Upstage." |
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| Rear Curtain |
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See 'Rear Traveler.' |
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| Rear Traveler (Back Curtain, Rear Curtain) |
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A two-piece bi-parting curtain located up stage.
Additional Info |
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| Recommended Working Load |
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The maximum load which J.R. Clancy, Inc. recommends be applied to current, listed products
which are in "like new" condition and which have been properly installed, maintained, and operated. "Rated Load," "Safe Working Load," and
"Working Load Limit" are similar terms used by other manufacturers. |
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| Repp |
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See 'Masking.' |
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| Rigging |
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All
of the hardware used to lift, lower, and
hold performance
equipment on or above a stage.
Additional Info |
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| Rigging Safety Inspection |
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Regular visual inspections of a stage's rigging assemblies and line sets by a ETCP certified rigger.
Additional Info |
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| Roll Drop |
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A cloth backdrop or drape flown in on a roller. |
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| Rope
Lock |
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A
cam operated device that clamps the hand
line that is attached to an arbor in order
to prevent movement. Designed
to hold the unbalanced load in a set. |
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| S |
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| Safety
Chain |
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(1)
A secondary support line, usually of chain,
that supports a fire curtain or other device
when the primary
support cable becomes slack for any reason.
(2) The extra weight of
fire curtain safety chains helps the fire
curtain accelerate at the start of its travel. |
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| Sandbag
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A
fabric bag that can be filled with sand
and attached to rope rigging as a counterbalance
to the load hung from the set. |
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| Scrim |
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A
curtain made from a semi-transparent material
that looks solid when lit from the audience
side and
becomes almost invisible when back lit.
Additional Info |
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| Section
Drawing |
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A
drawing that reveals an imaginary view obtained
by making a cut through an object. |
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| Self-Climbing |
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A
pipe grid or batten that has an integral
device for raising and
lowering. |
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| Set |
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A
system of cables, pulleys, lifting devices
and battens that holds a specific set of
scenic elements, curtains or lights. |
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| Shackle |
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A
U-shaped device with holes at each end to
accommodate a pin or bolt; used to connect
a rope, cable, or chain to another device
or a hanging point. |
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| Sheave |
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A
component with a groove around its circumference
to support and contain a rope or cable and
a bearing at its center to
permit rotation about a shaft. |
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| Sight
Line |
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The
edge or line of view, of what can be seen
on stage from the location of the audience. |
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| Single
Purchase |
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A
rope or cable passing from a lifting device
(arbor, winch, or person) over a block,
or series of blocks, to a load is single
purchased. Force must be exerted equal to
the load to be held or raised. |
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| Sky Drop |
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See 'Cyclorama.' |
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| Smoke
Pocket |
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A
slot, usually of fabricated steel that supports
a guide system at the edges of a fire safety
curtain and that helps to prevent smoke
passing around the edges of the curtain. |
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| Smoke
Seal |
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A
fabric flap that mounts on the proscenium
wall and contacts the fire curtain in order
to form a barrier that reduces the passage
of air and smoke between the stage and auditorium.
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| Stage |
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A
platform on which performances are given. |
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| Stage Curtains |
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See 'Curtains.' |
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| Stage Draperies |
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See 'Curtains.' |
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| Stage Drapery |
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See 'Curtains.' |
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| Stage Fabrics |
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See 'Theatrical Fabrics.' |
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| Stage
Left/Right |
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The
left and right sides of a stage as seen
by an actor standing on stage facing the
audience. |
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| Stage
Lift |
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A
section of the stage floor that may be raised
or lowered to different levels above and
below the stage by some mechanical (typically
motorized) means. |
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| Static (Dead) Load |
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A
load that does not change position or magnitude
over time. |
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| Straight
Lift Curtain |
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A
curtain that can be raised (opened) without
folding in any way. |
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| Structural
Drawing |
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An
engineering drawing that describes the size,
location, and attachment details of the
building structure. |
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| Submittal
Drawings |
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Drawings
that are prepared by the equipment supplier
or installer to describe the equipment and
details of the installation to the client.
Approval of the drawings by
the client indicates his acceptance of the
proposed equipment, locations, and conditions
of the installation. |
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| T |
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| Tab |
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(1) A masking leg that is mounted at right angles to the front of the stage. (2) See 'Portal.'
Additional Info |
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| Tableau |
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A
curtain that is drawn open by a line running
through rings located diagonally across
the rear of the curtain from the leading
edge up to the top on the offstage edge.
Additional Info |
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| Teaser |
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Another
name for a border curtain. It often refers
to the first masking curtain on stage and
is paired with the "Tormentor"
legs.
Additional Info |
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| Tie Lines |
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Small cotton lines used to attach drapes to battens.
Additional Info |
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| T-Bar
(T-Guide) |
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"T"
shaped members placed in parallel rows to
guide arbors or clews. Guides may consist
of low friction slides or rollers. |
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| Tension
Block |
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See 'Floor Block.' |
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| Theater Curtains |
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See 'Curtains.' |
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| Theater Drapes |
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See 'Curtains.' |
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| Theater Draperies |
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See 'Curtains.' |
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| Theater Drapery |
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See 'Curtains.' |
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| Theater Fabrics |
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See 'Theatrical Fabrics.' |
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| Theatre Curtains |
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See 'Curtains.' |
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| Theatre Drapes |
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See 'Curtains.' |
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| Theatre Draperies |
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See 'Curtains.' |
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| Theatre Drapery |
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See 'Curtains.' |
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| Theatre Fabrics |
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See 'Theatrical Fabrics.' |
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| Theatrical Curtains |
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See 'Curtains.' |
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| Theatrical Drapes |
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See 'Curtains.' |
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| Theatrical Draperies |
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See 'Curtains.' |
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| Theatrical Drapery |
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See 'Curtains.' |
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| Theatrical Fabrics |
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Any fabric utilized in a theater setting. |
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| Thimble |
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A
grooved fitting around which a rope or cable
is bent to form an eye. It supports the
rope or cable and prevents kinking and wear. |
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| Thrust
Stage |
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A
room with seats arranged on three sides
around a performance space located against
the fourth
wall. This wall may be used for scenery,
back drops, and acting space. |
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| Tormentor |
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Another
name for a leg curtain. These are the first
masking legs located after the main curtain.
Additional Info |
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| Track (Stage) |
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Metal structure, slotted or channeled, in which a curtain can be moved manually or by motorized means.
Additional Info |
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| Travel |
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The
path of moving stage equipment and the distance
moved. |
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| Traveler |
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A
curtain on a track that can be opened or
closed to reveal or mask a portion of the
stage.
Additional Info |
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| Trim |
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(1)
A load is "in trim" when the equipment
load equals the counterbalancing weight.
(2)
A set or element is trimmed when it has
been placed in the desired position within
the performance area. |
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| Trim
Chain |
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A
length of chain placed between a lift line
and a pipe batten or scenic element to connect
them and to facilitate minor height adjustment
of the load.
Additional Info |
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| Truss
Batten |
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Two
or more pipes or other linear members fabricated
together with cross bracing in a trussed
configuration. Used in place of a pipe batten
for heavy loads or extended distances between
lift lines. |
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| U |
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| Under
Hung |
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Hung
from the bottom of a beam or structure. |
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| Up
Stage |
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The portion of the stage that is furthest from the audience. See 'Raked Stage.' |
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| USITT |
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United States Institute of Theater Technology |
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| V |
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| Valance |
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See 'Border Curtain.' Usually a special border associated with the 'Front Curtain.' May be permanently fixed within the proscenium arch.
Additional Info |
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| Velour |
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A woven, napped material commonly used for stage draperies.
Additional Info |
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| Venetian Curtain |
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A type of main act curtain that can be raised or lowered using vertical lift lines that are individually adjustable.
Additional Info |
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| Vomitory |
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An entrance or exit through banked seating. |
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| W |
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| Winch |
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A
geared mechanism, either hand operated or
motorized, for use in raising (vertical)
or moving (horizontal) equipment.
The gearing produces a mechanical advantage
in speed and load capacity. |
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| Wings |
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The
portion of the stage area located to either
side of the acting area. |
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| Wire
Grid |
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An
open floor that supports lights or provides
access to theatrical equipment. It is formed
of woven cables attached to, and supported
by, a structural frame. |
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| Wire
Guide |
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Wires
placed to control the location and travel
of
arbors, clews and curtains. |
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| Wire
Rope |
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A
wire rope consists of a number of strands
laid helically about a metallic or non-metallic
core. Each strand consists of a number wires
also laid helically about a center.
Additional Info |
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| Working Load Limit (WLL) |
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See
Recommended Working Load (RWL). |
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