A very minor speaking or silent role. Pertaining to acting, or an actor, as in "she is a true thespian." e.g., on a 8 x 8 matrix, each of the 8 group outputs from the channels can be routed to any or all of the matrix outputs. 3) The chorus in a musical, sometimes including soloists. Sturdy material, usually heavy cotton, used to cover flats as a less heavy (and less expensive) alternative to plywood. Applications of LEDs are diverse. A higher wattage lamp requires more power and gives a brighter light output. In the Stanislavksi method, the dominant trait in the character assumed by the actor. A light from directly above the acting area. 3) The location in which a dramatic action is supposed to occur. See the respective articles for more information. In lighting terms, blue light is short wavelength, green is medium and red is long wavelength. Often given as a reminder in a rehearsal schedule ("We will be off-book July 1."). An extendable brace hooks into a screw eye on the flat and is weighted to the floor (commonly known as a "Stage Brace") A French brace is a right-angled non-adjustable triangular frame, made from timber, and attached to the flat with pin hinges. In a theatre, the stage tends to be far away from the audience. PO Box 101476, Fort Worth, TX 76185-1476 2) Subtractive : Placing two different gels in front of the same lamp. 2) A complete electrical "loop" around which current can flow. 2)To omit lines or business, or to execute business than it would take in real life. A limiter is often used to protect speaker systems (and human ears) by preventing a system from becoming too loud. Supposedly, the connection was that blackface was a blend of pork fat and burnt cork, and related to the fact that an old minstrel song was "The Ham-Fat Man. Many tubes can be connected together. Cable or rod used to send and receive radio signals (connected to transmitter and receiver or tuner). Also refers to the light emitted by a lamp when a dimmer has not been "trimmed" correctly, and is leaking. A professional company is one that pays a salary to actors, directors, designers and other staff, whether or not the company is profit or not-for-profit. Wheeled platform on which a complete set is built to facilitate scene changing. Room close to the stage for the actors to meet and relax. A fictitious name, dating from about 1886, traditionally used in theatre programs to conceal the identify of an actor who is doubling in a second role. Said of a scene played in an acting area bounded on the upstage side by an imaginary line across the stage from the left wing furthest downstage to the right wing farthest downstage. A passive circuit does not increase the level of a signal. which produces a rain sound effect when inclined. so that they can stand level on a raked stage. Sometimes called cloths (the British term). A sheet of plastic usually composed of a colored resin sandwiched between two clear pieces. 1) One of the principal structural divisions of a dramatic work, usually, in a play, from one to five in number. A great popular success. To come onstage. Also believed to keep the theatrical muse in a "dark" theatre, and to stop people tripping over bits of scenery when they come into the theatre in the morning. An electrically detonated pyrotechnic device giving the effect of a loud explosion. A box or tray containing dried peas, etc. Abbreviation for Fade to blackout (or fade to black). The halogen cycle increases the lifetime of the bulb and prevents its darkening by redepositing tungsten from the inside of the bulb back onto the filament. A solo speech, or monologue, usually fairly long, to convey a character's thoughts to the audience, either while alone on the stage, or in the presence of others who are supposed not to hear him. A casting agent in charge of subordinate casting agents. Low level audio signal produced by circuitry in microphone. StageMilk was set up initially as a theatre website, and remains focused on theatre acting. Some screens are "low gain" and some are "high gain." Flexible electrical cable composed of several well-insulated cores covered in a strong PVC or rubber covering. An obsolete source of intensely bright light, most recently used in followspots. Sometimes abbreviated as D.C. or DC. Helps to reduce wild swings in volume. Attached to an unused spot line to stop it running back through the pulleys, and to enable it to fly in without fouling adjacent equipment. Equalization control where the range of frequencies to be boosted or cut can be selected. 1) A notification of a working session, such as a rehearsal call. Border, usually black, set behind the proscenium and linked with tormentors to form an inner frame to the stage, and to mask the upper parts of the fly tower. Said of a theatre or production, as opposed to professional, to avoid the derogatory connotation sometimes understood by the term "amateur." Props placed on stage before the performance, lighting state on stage as the audience are entering.) A curtain behind the fireproof curtain, and behind the grand drape, if there is one, closing the proscenium opening, and raised (or drawn) to reveal the stage during an act or scene. The process of, or time-period for, moving sets, props, etc, into a theatre before a production. The bars on which scenery and instruments are flown. cyc floods). A stage convention and frequently a stage direction. The true Aero is 28V and 250W, although there are many variations. SMX is a communications protocol which enables digital dimmers to 'report back' to the desk on any faults (eg blown lamps). An actor's height, weight, hair color, nationality or ethnicity may also impact their being cast, because the director or casting director may see the actor themself as a "type," rather than an actor who can play multiple types. Form of staging where the audience is on either side of the acting area. The means to do this are unusual, from heavy symbolism to speeding up (or slowing down) the action, abstract sets and costumes, etc. Also said of a curtain position at the same line; thus to play a scene "in one" usually means to play it on the downstage area in front of the curtain (usually while scenery is being changed behind the curtain.). 1) A strip of curtain stretched horizontally across the front top of the stage behind the proscenium arch, fastened to a batten and fixed, used to form the top of a setting and mask the flies and lights. (Pronounced "segg-way") Musical term for an immediate follow-on. An access walkway to equipment. If a cable rated at 5 Amps is used with a load of 15 Amps, the cable will overheat and possibly catch fire. barium sulfate[4] when the measurement is taken for light targeted and reflected perpendicular to the screen. Said of a theatre that is closed, or with no performances scheduled. Amplifying a voice just enough so that it can be heard, without the audience being aware that it is being amplified. At one time, filters were made from gelatin, from which came the still-used name "gel.". Sometimes, also scene chewer. Find everything you need for your local movie theater near you. If a screen material looks grey on casual examination then its total reflectance is much less than 1. (e.g. Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlights (ER Spotlights) are probably one of the most commonly used lighting instruments today. It was often used to call out the volunteer lifeboat crew in an emergency. Booking describes the action of opening or closing a book flat. To paint scenery, usually with a second color, by drawing across it with a brush that is nearly dry. Sometimes synonymous with musical comedy, but more often used to refer to late 19th century works such as those by Gilbert & Sullivan. May form an obvious part of the action (train arriving at station) or may be in the background throughout a scene (e.g. Sometimes used for cueing actors onto the set. Read the contract carefully before signing, since it sets forth the number of performances, the performance venue, cost of tickets, and production dates that you provided the playwright's representative. The maintaining of artistic illusion by sufficient physical or other separation or detachment. To reveal a scene, a person, etc., to the audience, often by the opening of a curtain or bringing up stage lighting. At one time, programs and posters were printed on a single sheet of paper (in the case of a program, on both sides). 3) A Department Head (e.g. 3) The act of constructing a set or a costume. The screen also has hundreds of small, evenly spaced holes to allow air to and from the speakers and subwoofer, which often are directly behind it. Thus, jackknife set. Glass-bead screens exhibit a phenomenon of retroreflection; the light is reflected more intensely back to its source than in any other direction. Susceptible to interference over long cable runs. A very high energy beam of light that remains virtually parallel throughout its length. Sometimes called an "intelligent light.". Thus dramatic or stage dialogue. 1) The out of view areas to the sides of the acting area. A point in a dramatic piece, after the climax, which may emphasize the meaning of the climax by some lesser tension, or may merely lessen the effect of the climax, sometimes to absurdity. Additional fees apply for each additional rental week. 2) A loudspeaker that reproduces low-frequency sounds, such as bass or organ notes. 2) The normal background sound at any location. blown lamps). Traditionally, a mixture of glue size, water and pigment. Normally given by stage management, but may be taken directly from the action (i.e. A dancer/singer in musical theatre, typically in the chorus, who moves from show to show to show. Uniformly white or grey screens are used almost exclusively as to avoid any discoloration to the image, while the most desired brightness of the screen depends on a number of variables, such as the ambient light level and the luminous power of the image source. 1) A stage area that is brightly lighted. Some are multifunction devices: dimmer, infinite-shades color changer, light source projector, strobe effect and optics with precision adjustment. You want to find a happy medium, where you are enjoying a large screen but your eyes aren’t straining by sitting too close. A stage position or area just to the right (the audience's left) of the exact center of the stage. 2) A light source, but sometimes used to refer specifically to the "bulb" in a stage lighting instrument. In the last 25 years the role of dramaturg has evolved and expanded. Great care is required when using lasers as this energy can cause permanent damage to the retina of the eye. A variety of scenic units that a theatre has available in storage and can be used and reused for productions. Review by director/designer/wardrobe staff of all costumes worn by cast and paraded under stage lighting. These commonly use painted fabric that is rolled in the screen case when not used, making them less obtrusive when the screen is not in use. ", A person who writes plays. Performance rights to a play may not be available if a play is running on or off-Broadway, or is on national tour. An extendible leg to increase the stability of access equipment, such as a "cherry picker" lift or ladder. 1) See Color. For this reason, denser colors get very hot, and can burn out very quickly. It’s a 16:9 4K-ready home theater motorized drop-down projector screen, offering the convenience to raise the screen when it’s not in use, via the included remote. An omnidirectional microphone has equal pick-up from all around, a Cardioid microphone is more sensitive from the front, a Hypercardioid has very strong directionality from the front. Thus, a naturalistic performance. They work best for setups where the image source is placed in the same direction from the screen as the audience. 1) Determine the number of seats sold. An informal term describing publisher-representatives such as Samuel French, Dramatists Play Service, I.E. AACT is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, © 2020 American Association of Community Theatre - All Rights Reserved. A production intended to display the talents of performers for prospective employment, or for publicity. The industry standard protocol (language/standard) for multiplexing is the digital USITT DMX512) However, new protocols are continually being added to keep up with more demanding equipment. There may or may not be an explicit borderline. The vertical front face of a balcony to which is fastened lighting equipment. 4) Magazine : Manual semaphore-type device used on the front of a followspot. Many screen manufacturers thus appropriately call their grey screens "high-contrast" models.[5]. If a scrim is lit steeply, or from the sides, it will appear solid. A play somewhat heavier than comedy, but with a happy ending. 1) A rehearsal at which the actors read their parts aloud without stage movement or stage business; often the first rehearsal, to break the ice and to give the company an opportunity to get acquainted with each other as performers. This is because certain objects "fluoresce" under ultraviolet (UV) light, which is what a black light emits. Sometimes called a C-wrench. 1) To smooth out makeup. 1) A theatre ticket. 2) AMPLIFIER - sound equipment that converts the low voltage, low current signal from a tape deck, mixer etc. Usually electrically fired with special designed fail-safe equipment. High frequency sounds have short wavelengths (and are more directional), low frequency sounds have long wavelengths (and are less directional). A "scene" division within a play marked (as in French drama) by the entrance or exit of an actor. Most theatres have a range of stack flattage made to a standard size, and re-used many times. Treads can be either open or closed string - meaning whether the riser is solid. Subsequent calls given are the "quarter" at 20 minutes, "the five" at 10 minutes and "beginners to the stage" at 5 minutes before curtain up. A network of speakers carrying the sound of the show, and sometimes stage managers calls, to the furthest reaches of the theatre. 2) Describes the method used instead of stage crew for moving bits of set around shows with a big budget. a sound is picked up by a microphone and amplified through the speaker. Compact Source Iodide : A high intensity discharge lamp. Seating area in traditional proscenium arch venues. Rigid wall-mounted screens maintain their geometry perfectly just like the big movie screens, which makes them suitable for applications that demand exact reproduction of image geometry. An electrified prop. A device that converts energy from one form to another. Examples are red + cyan, green + magenta, and yellow + blue. The "pressure" at which electric current is available. Daring, unusual. These can be used when it is impossible or impractical to mount the screen to a wall or a ceiling. (Known in the UK as a bottle screw.). 1) The folding frame that forms the base of a readily portable platform. Lower color temperatures (up to 3000K) are called warm white colors, and range from red to yellowish-white in tone. Any defects, misfits etc. 1) A theater company whose participants (particularly actors) work without salary. Counterweighted flying system where the cradle travels half the distance of the fly bar, leaving the side wall of the stage under the fly floors clear of flying equipment. The area where scenery is built or repaired. Front of house catwalk lighting positions. Today’s screen is more than just a smooth white surface upon which to project an image. Modern lighting desks use this serial form of communication with dimmers. Any small theatre, but especially one for amateur productions, often with an interest in experimentation. Pronounced "Fruh-nell") A type of lamp which produces an even, soft-edged beam of light through a Fresnel lens. 1) A wood or steel frame, in which turn one or more pulleys to take fly lines. 2) A piece of sound processing equipment that ensures all wanted signals are suitably placed between the noise and distortion levels of the recording medium. Lighting instrument designed to cast unfocused light over a large area. Sometimes abbreviated as D.L.C. A comedy of stock characters with masks, in which the actors improve on a prearranged scenario. Refers to the modification of furniture or props by shortening the upstage legs (or lengthening the downstage portion in the case of solid units). Sometimes abbreviated as D.R. A flat field is essential when using gobos. In Britain, a performance given at the royal family's request By extension, even in the U.S., it has come to mean a required event or activity. Racks are ideal for touring equipment, are neat, and they allow easy access to the rear and front panels. A scale drawing showing a piece of scenery, lighting layout etc from above. Now obsolete. Typical made of canvas or heavyweight cotton duck, suspended from the grid, and reaching to the floor. Using the entrance/exit concept, they dub these "French scenes.". A Flat field has an even distribution, a peak field has a "hot spot" in the center of the beam. Usually has an output jack socket so that the instrument's unprocessed signal can be passed direct to the musician's amplifier. Also, such an omission. When actors leave dead space before beginning their lines of dialogue, a director may ask them to "Pick up your cues." The rear wall of the stage or stage setting. His system does not consist of a fixed set of rules but of practical approaches to the physical and mental preparation of the actor and to the creation of a character. The Grand Master takes precedence over all other controls. When the director of photography wanted daylight excluded from some area of the set, he'd say "Go Black Out". Note that the spelling of "theater" or "theatre" is a matter of choice. Electrical safety requirement that metal parts of electrical equipment are connected to a common ground point so that in the event of a fault, excess current can be carried away, causing the fuse to blow. A concealed support behind an overhanging scenic piece onstage, such as a balcony. Computer-Aided Design. 2) Persons employed as production assistants to do odd jobs and errands during a production period. Often drawn from the theatres' groundplan. 1) The entire front half of the stage. placed in front of a floodlight onto the set. 1) verb. It can be cut, combed and glued bit by bit to the face to form a beard, a mustache, sideburns, and eyebrows. Walls are typically painted black, hence the name. Clearly, using these actors as examples leads to the conclusion that the acting skills learned in the theatre can translate to film. 2) The equipment connected to a dimmer. Although a projection screen cannot improve a projector's contrast level, the perceived contrast can be boosted. 8.5 is inserted between cues 8 and 9 and cues by the stage manager as 8A). The high point of expressionism was 1910-1925, and most practiced in Germany, although it can be found in American plays as well. A period between acts, when the houselights are brought up, and the audience is encouraged to move into the lobby, outside, etc. Set of outputs on a mixing desk which allows the user to preset a number of output configurations. Responsible for technical preparations, including budgeting and scheduling of productions. Just paint 2 coats on any smooth surface or wall. Not restricted to theatre lighting. Thus, "This version of 'The Taming of the Shrew' cut the prologue." 2) Low wattage blue lights used to illuminate offstage obstacles and props tables, etc. A producer, especially of musical entertainments. In acting, to forget one's lines or business. To pull two flats together, edge to edge, by winding a lash line over lash line cleats in back. Two parts in a production that are placed by the same actor. 1) A smaller version of the lighting plan, used by the lighting designer during the lighting plot. The fan produces a good approximation of white noise. Synchronization signals recorded onto the tape are detected by the dissolve unit and fade up the lamp in one slide projector while changing the slide in the other, and then vice versa, producing a dipless crossfade between the two images. A plain cloth or plastered wall filling the rear of the stage. Often abbreviated to "the tech.". ", Applause, usually in the forms "get a hand" or "give a hand.". A dramatic work or a portion of one that expresses meaning by means of personification and symbolism; for example, the medieval morality play. Distortion in a sound signal caused by an amplifier or mixer being unable to handle the level of signal being fed to it. 2) Verb: To increase the beam size of a focus spot by moving the lamp and reflector towards the lens. Mechanized stage where the scenery is moved into position on large sliding wagons as wide as the proscenium opening, from storage in large areas to the side and rear of the main stage. In lighting, a secondary illumination from a spotlight, showing that the optical system is not in proper adjustment. Manufacturers of home theater screens have attempted to resolve the issue of ambient light by introducing screen surfaces that direct more of the light back to the light source. Thus a "feed line. All pyrotechnics should be used with close reference to local licensing laws, and the manufacturers instructions. 1) Angled strengthening timber within a flat. System whereby battery-powered practicals / props on stage can be controllable from offstage with no connecting leads. Paper-backed tape used to mark out the boundary of a surface to be painted or sprayed. A light dramatic entertainment with much singing and little speaking, at least in the French and Viennese tradition. To change the appearance of one's face and other exposed surfaces of the body for acting through cosmetics, false hair, etc., as in "Where do we go to make-up?" 1) An actor forgetting the words of his script, to go dry or dry up. Thalia is the Muse of Comedy and Melpomene is the Muse of Tragedy. When a spotlight is focused onto the ball, specks for light are thrown around the room. The area housing the orchestra. Marketing technique. A place (often a raised platform) for the loading or unloading of materials. 3) The director's work of positioning actors onstage and setting their entrances, exits, and other movement, as in "to block a scene." "The house is now open, please do not cross the stage") 2) The audience (e.g. A song, usually, simple, sentimental, short, and narrative, used in musical comedy. Produced (usually) by a batten of low voltage PAR lamps wired in series. are not below the level of the dry ice for more than a few seconds. These names are used when leveling the flying piece, and giving it a dead. HOW TO SEARCH: 2) A group or even a single actor who provides commentary on the action of a play, as in a Greek tragedy. Sometimes known as the "house.". An active crossover splits the signal from the mixing desk into high, mid and low frequencies which are then sent to three separate amplifiers. A cabinet of standard width (19") into which various components can be bolted. 1) The cast, crew and other staff associated with a show. 817-732-3177 | 817-732-3178 fax 2) A particularly strong actor who, intentionally or not, is the prime focus of a scene. The configuration of an ER Spotlight (6x6, 6x9, 6x12, etc.) Trade name for a series of noise reduction systems that have become standard on many tape playback machines. A person who buys the right to operate a refreshment stand or similar business supported by the purchases of theatre patrons. Sometimes referred to as a publisher, or publisher-agent. 1) A drape curtain loosely suspended across a stage. Moving a followspot beam around in a figure-eight pattern. An arc light, for example uses a discharge between two carbon rods which are manually or automatically fed together as they are burnt up. Originally 19th century term. This differs from semi-specular screens where the hot spot's location varies depending on the viewer's position in the audience. For example, an actor may play an outspoken senior citizen, which is a type. Buyer's Guide - Home Theater 3. Sometimes abbreviated as D.R.C. 3) In directing or technical work the area or person designed to draw the audience's attention. However, for a viewer seated to one side of the audience the opposite side of the screen is much darkened for the same reason. Advanced Control Network. A-type jacks are cheaper and more common, but more fragile. This system enables incredibly complex and otherwise time-consuming scene changes to occur almost instantly. Noun. A requirement of most licensing authorities. An adapter from one type of electrical connector to another. The metal bars to which scenery and lamps are attached for flying above the stage. To make an audience laugh hysterically. screen definition: 1. a flat surface in a cinema, on a television, or as part of a computer, on which pictures or…. However, new protocols are continually being added to keep up with more demanding equipment. Thus, 'downstage wall,' 'downstage entrance.' 2) Generically, as in "levels," to indicate a director or choreographer's positioning of performers on platforms, steps, etc. An application for rights typically includes: name and address of the producing organization; phone and fax numbers; name of show; dates of desired performance(s); number of performances; name of theater/auditorium; seating capacity of theater/auditorium; and ticket prices. A Rail is a horizontal batten within a flat. The term also is used to describe any portion of a dramatic work taken by itself as a unit of action. See limes. 2) A curtain or tapestry used to … Today, while there is no single definition, Sweet says, "in practice, the dramaturg is generally supposed to have some kind of literary bent, be capable of research, and to utter opinions which by dint of schooling are supposed to be taken seriously.". In modern drama, sometimes used to mean an unlikely resolution of the problem posed in a play. Rarely used as a term now, but meaning the last song or closing ensemble of the first act of a musical (to distinguish it from the finale or grand finale. For example to allow trucks guided by tracks cut into this false floor, to be moved by steel wires running in the shallow (2 or 3 inch) void between the false floor and the original stage floor. Some planetariums with dome-shaped projection screens have thus opted to paint the dome interior in gray, in order to reduce the degrading effect of inter-reflections when images of the sun are displayed simultaneously with images of dimmer objects. A company that makes available suitable actors for a producer. They are often used in home theater and professional environments where the screen does not need to be recessed into the case. Exit signs and other emergency lighting must remain on at all times. Sticky cloth tape, not to be confused with duct tape. To underemphasize or underplay lines or stage business, either deliberately (in order to bring out other lines or business by contrast) or aimlessly (from weakness of technique). A grave trap is a lowered rectangular section used in Hamlet etc. Almost universally used in musicals where the singers have to be amplified to be heard over the orchestra / band. Said of a scene played in an acting area bounded on the upstage side by an imaginary line drawn across the stage from the left wing to the right wing three-quarters of the way upstage.