Still Confused?: Glossary and Lots More! |
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IN THIS CHAPTER
APPENDIX A:
GLOSSARY
A
Accessory Slot
Also known as the drop-in slot, this is a slot in a leko near the shutters made to put specialized accessories in.
Accident Report
A form that is to be filled out every time there is some sort of accident so that everything is documented.
Acoustics
Refers to the inherent sound qualities of a room in regards to the overall audio quality when no reinforcement is in use.
Additive
Additive color mixing means when all three primary colors of light are mixed together in equal parts they make white light.
Adhesives
Products that will make things stick to the actor. Used for things such as glitter, sparkles, and hair pieces.
Adjustable Wrench
Often called a crescent wrench. It is an open-ended wrench with one fixed jaw and one adjustable jaw. The adjustment works by a screw positioned within the handle.
Allen Keys
A tool with a hexagonal head for adjusting screws or bolts with a recessed six-sided opening.
Alternating Current
Electric current whose direction reverses cyclically.
Ambient Noise
The sound in a room when there is no planned audio source.
Ampere
A unit of electric current, or amount of electric charge per second.
Amplifier
Boosts the output to a level that will drive the loudspeaker.
AMX
Analog multiplex is a control signal used to control SCR dimmers.
Analogous
A number of different hues, instead of just one, but still from within the same area of the color wheel.
Apron
The area of the stage that extends downstage of the proscenium arch.
Arbor
A carriage or rack that contains weights, usually cast iron, called pig iron.
Arc Dimensions
Used when measuring some kind of angle or radius.
Arc Weld
Arc welding involves two large metal alligator clips that carry a strong electrical current. One clip is attached to any conductive part of the project being welded. The second clip is connected to a thin welding rod. When the rod touches the project, a powerful electrical circuit is created. The massive heat created by the electrical current causes both the project and the steel core of the rod to melt together, cooling quickly to form a solid bond.
Arch
Simply put, a large hole in a wall. There are many different styles of arches—Roman, Tudor, and Gothic just to name a few. Make sure to follow the designer’s drawings to create the correct shape for the arch.
Area Micing
An array of floor microphones is used and then the sound operator rises and lowers the gain as needed.
Arena
Arena stages are truly theatre in the round. The stage is in the center of the space and the audience is seated on all sides.
Audition Form
A form that actors fill out upon arriving for an audition that contains all pertinent information about the actor.
Auditorium
The audience sits in seating called the auditorium.
Autotransformer
A mechanical device used to dim lights. They work by moving a handle that physically moves a brush against a coil to change the voltage going to a lamp.
Auto Yoke
Motorized device allowing the user to pan and tilt a number of different lighting fixtures from the control console. Newer models can also control color scrollers and irises.
AWG
American Wire Gauge.
B
Backdrop
The painted back wall used to help create the environment for the play. This backdrop serves two purposes. It helps the audience to better understand where the play is taking place, and it also provides a space for the actors to change their costumes and masks outside the sight of the audience.
Balance
The contrast between all the different visual characteristics of a scene.
Ball Peen Hammer
Used mainly on metal instead of wood. A hammer used to bend, flatten, or shape metal.
Ballast
Used to start and properly control the flow of power going to a lamp.
Bamboo
A hollow stick used to put the end of a paintbrush or stick of charcoal in to extend an artist’s reach.
Banana Plug
Although it can come in various sizes, the 4 mm is the most common. These plugs are single wire. They are often color coded red and black.
Band Saw
A stationary motorized saw used for cutting wood or metal into nonlinear shapes. The blade is one continuous loop, or band, stretched over two pulleys.
Bar Clamp
Bar clamps have a fixed jaw and a sliding jaw that makes them easily adjustable to different lengths. The determining factor of their usage is the bar they are attached to. The longer the bar the bigger an object they can clamp.
Barn Door
An accessory that fits on the front of a lighting fixture with movable blades used to cut light off of curtains or scenery projected from a soft-edge fixture.
Base Paint
The color that is put on first. Other colors are then applied over this to create textures.
Beam Angle
The part of the light beam where you get the best light. It is measured to be at a level of 50 percent of the maximum intensity of the beam.
Beam Projector
A beam projector is an open-face fixture that produces a narrow beam of light. The result is an intense shaft of light.
Beam Spread
The part of the light beam that is measured to where you get down to 10 percent of the maximum intensity of the beam.
Belaying
To secure a rope by winding it in a figure-eight pattern around the cleat. To secure the belay, the final figure eight wrap gets a 180-degree twist before being put on the cleat.
Bevel Gauge
Used to check or copy the angle of an existing unit or drawing. It consists of a handle or stock and a blade or tongue, connected by a wing nut. This tool does not measure an angle. It simply copies the angle from something that already exists.
Black Box
The black box is the most flexible of all the theater types. Basically black box is just what it says. It’s a big black room with absolutely nothing in it. Very simple, very plain. It’s a space in need of a production! The production brings in chairs and maybe risers for the audience. They also bring in a stage, raised or not. This allows for infinite possibilities within one space.
Block and Fall
A piece of equipment that simulates standard blocks allowing multiple ropes to come in through the top. The difference is in the “fall” side, as it reduces the number of ropes coming back out to one.
Blocking
The actor’s movement around the stage.
BNC
A coaxial connector. It has a miniature bayonet-locking connector.
Borders
Hung overhead, originally painted to simulate the heavens, borders were added to complete the visual effect complimenting the backdrop. They also became known as masking, which had the added benefit that they blocked the audience’s view of rigging and lights hung over the stage.
Bowline
One of the most important knots to know. If properly tied it will not slip and can be used to secure things or lift people.
Box Set
A set usually containing three walls and perhaps a ceiling. It was, and still is, used to represent interiors.
Box Wrench
A closed-end wrench that will only fit one size of hardware. Typically has between 6 and 12 points of contact to the hardware.
Brazing
Uses molten metal to join two pieces of metal. The metal added during the process has a melting point lower than that of the material, so only the added metal is melted, not the material. Brazing uses metals with a higher melting point. Brazing produces a stronger joint than does soldering, and often is used to join metals other than steel, such as brass.
C
CAD
Computer-aided drawing and drafting software.
Call Script
The authority for information about the show. This script contains all of the information needed once you are in the theater to call the show.
Call Time
The time when people are to arrive and be ready to work. On any given call there may be several call times for different groups of people.
Carpenter Clamp
The basic clamps found in a scene shop. They are shaped like a C with a screw that tightens and loosens. They can leave marks on wood, so they are usually used when that is not a factor.
Carpenter Pencil
A pencil made in a flattened octagon shape that prevents it from rolling. The “lead” is thicker and stronger than a regular pencil, which comes in handy when writing on wood instead of paper. You cannot sharpen this in a standard pencil sharpener; most people just use their pocketknife or a utility knife.
Cartoon
Refers to drawing the basic design at full scale using vine charcoal.
Center Line
Our only reference for left/right measurements in the theater is the centerline.
Center Punch
Used primarily on metal to mark a starting point for drilling into the material. Once you have used the center punch, it is much easier to begin drilling into metal without the drill slipping.
Chalk Line
An almost diamond-shaped container containing a very long string and powdered chalk, used to mark a straight line between two points.
Cheat Sheet
Sometimes called a magic sheet. It is a quick reference for the design team to be able to find the channel number quickly and easily. A cheat sheet is usually a compressed number list.
Chip
A very inexpensive alternative to the standard paintbrush. They are less durable and considered to be disposable.
Chisel
A tool with a cutting edge on its end. It is used primarily for carving and cutting hard materials like wood, stone, or metal, and is specifically designed for each type of use. The sharp edge of the chisel is forced into the material, usually with a hammer or mallet.
Chop Saw
Chop saws have a circular saw blade similar to a circular saw but usually larger in diameter. Chop saws work by having a pivoting arm containing the blade, which is brought down to cut the material.
Chroma
A hue in its purest form.
Circular Saw
One of the more popular portable tools in the shop. It gets its name from the circular saw blade that it uses. It is designed to make long, straight cuts. This saw can crosscut or rip wood. The bottom foot can be angled to allow for a consistent angled cut.
Classicism
Based on idealistic models or established conservative standards. It embraces a high level of taste, sobriety, and proportion. Conventional formality is another way to think of classicism.
Claw Hammer
This is the hammer you will see the most in the scene shop. It has a metal head for striking a nail, or whatever else you need to hit, and a curved claw for ripping nails back out of the wood.
Cleansers
Products that are made to clean a variety of things such as skin or brushes.
Clove Hitch
Important to almost every rigging job in the theater. Used as a traditional hitch, securing only one end, the clove hitch is liable to slip. It requires a load attached in each direction in order to be effective. The clove hitch is almost always a load-bearing knot.
Cluster
Similar to an array, however, it is almost always hung on center right above the edge of the stage.
Coaxial Cable
Made up of a single copper core, surrounded by a layer of insulation, covered by a copper shield, and then a flexible plastic jacket.
Coiling
One of the few ways you can safely store rope without putting any bends, kinks, or knots in it.
Collaboration
To work as a team. Collectively you create a production where there once was none.
Combination Square
A combination square can handle 90-degree angles, and it can also help you draw 45-degree angles. You can loosen a knob and slide square’s head along the ruler, then tighten it down at a different location on the ruler. This allows you to transfer measurements from one place to another. The sliding head of the square contains a level. This can be very useful for certain types of measuring.
Complementary
Colors that are opposite each other on the full color wheel.
Composite
Order of Architecture. Devised by the Romans, the composite first appeared on the arch of Titus in Rome in 82 CE.
Concealer
Used to blend away temporary and permanent imperfections. These can include birthmarks, blemishes, and tattoos. Concealers are highly pigmented, which is what helps them to cover up. This is the inherent difference between a foundation and a concealer.
Concept
A concept is your unique way of looking at the show.
Condenser Microphone
More versatile, more costly, and less durable than dynamic microphones. The condenser microphone is the choice for the theater given its range in quality for many different purposes.
Construction Drawings
Technically detailed drawings created by the shop to build from.
Contact Pickup
“Like” microphones, they are attached to musical instruments and pick up sound through vibrations instead of from the air.
Contact Sheet
This form will show everyone involved with the production, including directors, actors, producers, technicians, shops, etc. The contact sheet is the phone book for the show. Any contact information you might need should be there. It should also include rehearsal and performance spaces.
Contrast
Variations in line weight, direction, shape, texture, balance, proportion, pattern, and scale adds interest to a composition. It can help focus the viewer’s eye. The better and more varied your contrast, the less you will need other factors to define your shape.
Conventional Lighting
Non-moving fixtures.
Coping Saw
Has a handle with a U-shaped steel frame. The very thin blade is held between the arms of the U. Turning the handle tightens or loosens the tension on the blade. Holders at either end of the blade can also be pivoted so that you can adjust the angle of the cut.
Corinthian
Order of Architecture. The Corinthian was little used until the Romans adapted it. This order included leaves on the capitals in a more natural replica and dates from the end of the 5th-century BCE.
Corner Block
Triangular pieces of ¼-inch plywood used to hold corners of a soft flat frame together.
Costume Breakdown
Contains all information about each of the costumes used in the production. Should include a description of the costume, complete with any accessories, what scene(s) it is worn in, how it gets on and off stage, the character name, and any special notations if a fast change is needed or if it is used with a special effect like blood.
Cotton
Often thought of as cool, soft, and comfortable. The cotton fiber is from the cotton plant’s seedpod. The fiber is hollow in the center and under a microscope looks like a twisted ribbon. This fiber absorbs and releases perspiration quickly, thus allowing the fabric to “breathe.”
Counterweight
A weight used to offset the weight of what you are trying to lift.
Crosscut Blade
Saw blade for cutting wood. The teeth are designed to cut across the grain.
Cue Lights
Can be placed in locations around the set and the theater where direct visual or headset cues are not an option. Establish with your cast and crew what the cue lights mean.
Curtain Calls
Documentation of the curtain call blocking. Include the order in which the actors appear, where they come from, and whether they appear by themselves or in groups and any other information about the curtain call.
Cutter
Originally, the cutter was a person who used patterns, or created patterns, and then cut the pattern from the fabric.
Cyc
Shorthand for cyclorama. Now used almost interchangeably with backdrop.
Cyclorama
Traditionally a backdrop that was placed upstage, wide enough that the sides wrapped around and came downstage toward the audience.
D
Daily Rehearsal Report
Report given to each department concerning any changes, cuts, or additions that will affect them as a result of the daily rehearsal.
Dead Lift
To lift the full weight of something without any help from counterweights.
Deck
A complete replacement for the existing stage floor.
Deck Plan
A drawing of the floor.
Deluge
Similar to a sprinkler system except the sprinkler heads are open and the pipe is not pressurized with air.
Designer Drawings
Drawn by the designer, they are meant to convey the artistic vision of the designer. They are critical to informing the shop what the designer’s ideas and goals are.
Detail Brush
Come in a variety of shapes to help add or remove just the right amount of makeup.
Detail Drawing
Used when parts of the set require a much closer look. Drawn in full or close to full scale. It makes dimensioning easier. Detail drawings will also include practicals, scenic elements, or props that plug in to some form of electricity or require finer work that cannot be drawn in a smaller scale. These items must be planned out in great detail to make sure that they work properly and are safe.
Deux Ex Machina
Literally “God from machine,” usually involves moving scenery.
Dimmer
Simply put, its job is to make lights go up and down. A variety of technologies have been utilized over the history of dimming from mechanical, manual devices to electronic, digitally controlled dimmers.
Direct Current
Electric charge that flows in one direction.
Direction
Direction creates visual movement.
Distressing
A way to make something new look like something old.
DMX
Digital multiplex has become a standard control signal for dimming and many other devices.
Dome Brush
Made with rounded corners for soft edges, these are ideal for under-eye concealer as well as eye shadow.
Doric
Order of Architecture. The earliest order to develop, it was used for the Parthenon and for most temples. It’s columns have no base and was developed around the 5th-century BCE.
Double Purchase
A double-purchase system puts the loading floor halfway between the stage floor and the loft blocks. There is also an extra pulley both above and below the arbor in order to double the wire rope length. This is necessary in order to make this system work properly. The pipe travels 1 foot for every 2 feet the rope has to travel. You will need to use twice the amount of weight of what is hung on the pipe. The advantage is that you do not lose any floor space. This is often the major deciding factor in which type of system to use.
Downstage
The stage area closest to the audience.
Drafting
Usually done shortly after the drawing and rendering are completed. Drafting is meant to convey information not an emotion.
Drafting Stool
A stool (or chair) that goes up and down to adjust to the height of your drafting table. It should be comfortable and support your back.
Drafting Table
Often used for sketching and layout as well as for drafting. The table height and angle can be adjusted to whatever is the most comfortable.
Drafting Tape
Looks like regular masking tape, but it is less sticky. That means you can pull it up without leaving a residue or tearing your paper.
Draper
Originally the draper was a person who, instead of using a pattern, created a design by draping the fabric onto the actor.
Drawing
Often used interchangeably with sketching. Pulling our ideas together and allowing them to form on the outside of our head and putting them on paper.
Drill
A tool for making holes.
Drill Press
A stationary tool that does the same job as a regular drill. It has the added advantage of being mounted over a tabletop.
Dry Brush
Dry brushing is when you keep your brush as dry as possible, using only a minor amount of paint. Or using a brush with no paint to move around or remove paint that has already been applied to the surface.
Dry Ice
Solid carbon dioxide that exists at a temperature of –109.3° Fahrenheit or –78.5° Celsius. Those are negative temperatures! Must be handled with extreme care.
Dust Mask
Helps to protect you from inhaling many types of small particles.
Dynamic Microphone
A good all-around microphone that is both durable and affordable.
E
Ear Muffs
Full ear covering used to protect ears from loud noise.
Ear Plugs
Goes into the ear to provide some protection from loud noise.
Elevation
Takes the ground plan and stands it up into three dimensions, one element at a time. This allows the scene shop and carpenters to see an individual piece as it is intended to be built.
Ellipsoidal Reflector Spotlight
Also known as ERS. This is a focusable fixture with one or more lenses. The defining part is the ellipsoidal shaped reflector.
Emphasis
To place particular importance on a particular area or item in the scene.
Environmental
This type came about during the 1960s with the help of many avant-garde groups. The basic idea is to provide integration between the audience and the actors. The audience was expected to participate in the performance at some greater level than usual. There were multiple areas of focus in the performance simultaneously. The chaos created by dividing the audience’s focus is the whole point of the style. The actual spaces for these performances ranged from converted garages, to parks, to castles, to monuments. Scenery is used at a minimum, as the whole point is to go to a “realistic” setting. As the name suggests, environmental theatre brought the audience to the environment instead of creating a manufactured environment through traditional theatrical conventions.
Equalization
Equalizers are the most common use for a basic signal processor. Think of them as a filter. Equalizers help to tune specific sources to a similar base level.
Erasing Shield
One of the coolest things ever invented. A small, thin piece of polished steel with different shapes cut out of it. You lay the shield over your drawing, specifically the part you want to erase. Then while holding it in place, you erase the offending line without the possibility of your eraser touching anything else on the paper. It’s like magic, only better!
Expressionism
A style in which the artist seeks to express an emotional experience placed onto the subject matter. This style allows the artist and the art to combine and form an altered reality.
Eyecup
Ergonomically designed to be used for single eyewash.
Eyewash Station
Provides an effective means of washing your eyes quickly to minimize the time an irritant comes in contact with them.
F
Face Shield
Worn over the entire face to prevent flying items from hitting the face.
Facial Shape
There are six different facial shapes—oval, heart, pear, square, round, and long—and each has its own specific needs when applying makeup.
Fence
A guide for cutting straight lines.
Filament
The element of glowing wire carrying the current within a lightbulb.
Files
Similar to a rasp but with much finer teeth. Used for fine shaping in wood or metal.
Fire Curtain
A fire-proof curtain hung between the audience and the stage, usually just upstage of the proscenium arch. Its main purpose is to keep the audience safe from a fire on stage.
Fire Proof
Item will not burn, smoke, or flame.
Fire Retardant
Item will burn, smoke, and flame although it will do all of these slower than anticipated.
Fitch
A type of lining brush with a defined shape, seamless ferrule, and natural bristles. They come in a wide variety of sizes.
Flat Brush
Great for blending. The shape gives you great control when moving makeup around.
Flogger
A paintbrush with really, really long bristles. The flogger can be used for creating textures in wet paint or for removing cartooned chalk and charcoal from the material’s surface.
Floretta
A small, handheld version of the compression sprayer.
Fluorescent
A gas-discharge lamp that uses electricity to excite mercury vapor.
Flush Cut Saw
Has a handle with the blade coming straight out of one end. The blade is very flexible. Cuts flush with the bottom surface and has a very fine set of teeth that cut in one direction.
Foam
Foam brushes and pads come in a variety of sizes and are mostly rectangular or round. Instead of bristles, these brushes have a foam block that comes to a wedge at the tip. These are great for cutting in and keeping a straight line.
Foam Sponge
These come in different shapes and sizes. They are ideal for applying crème makeup.
Focus
The process aiming the lights to the place the designer wants the light to be.
Fog
When heated vapor mixes with cooler air outside a fog machine, it instantly forms an opaque aerosol—the effect we call fog or smoke.
FOH
Front of house.
Folding Rule
A combination of a regular ruler and a yardstick. It is made up of small sections in 6-inch increments connected by pivot points.
Footlights
Traditionally located on the downstage edge of the stage and/or apron. They focus upstage toward the back wall, pointing up into the actors’ faces from below.
Foreshortening
An optical illusion created by changing one’s view of the vanishing point to one side rather than directly in front of the viewer.
Foundation
Usually the first layer of makeup to be applied, foundations glide on easily when using a foam sponge. They are long lasting and provide a flawless finish. They come in a wide range of colors to match any skin tone. If, by chance, you can’t find the exact color, you can mix them to create a new hue. Crème foundations do need to be set with powder.
Foundation Brush
Brushes made for applying foundation.
Fourth Wall
The proscenium acts as a frame through which the audience views the play. This frame is often referred to as the fourth wall. The actors treat the “fourth wall” as if it is a real wall and ignore the audience. Some plays will call for the actors to look right at the audience and deliver their lines. This is called “breaking the fourth wall.”
Framing Hammer
Heavier and meant for larger nails and harder woods than the standard claw hammer. The claw is not as curved as on a standard claw hammer.
Framing Square
Looks like a big L with the long side 24 inches long and the shorter side 16 inches long. It is made out of metal. It is the most accurate of the squares because it has a fixed angle; there are no adjustments you can make.
French Curve
A template for drawing curves. It has curved edges and several scroll-shaped cutouts in the middle. The French curve is used by tracing along its edges.
French Scene Breakdown
A spreadsheet of all the acts and scenes in the play with a list of all the characters laid out in a matrix that will show which characters are in which scenes.
Fresnel
A soft-edge light that can focus as a spot or flood. The defining part is the shaped lens.
Fresnel Lens
A lens is divided into a series of concentric circles that step in toward each other in such a design that light output is not sacrificed.
Frisket
A plastic sheet with an adhesive back. It is used when you need to mask a specific part of a design. You lay it down and cut a design out to reveal the portion you need to work on, leaving everything else masked.
G
Gain
What we usually think of as volume. However, it is a little different than volume. Gain is the amount of amplification that is available within the sound system.
Gel
Originally made of gelatin, which could melt or catch fire, gel is now made of a polyester film. The process to make gel involves adding color to the actual production process of the polyester sheeting. In this way, color is actually incorporated into the polyester.
Genre
A category of artistic composition characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter.
Glazes
Thinner than paint and transparent instead of opaque. Glazes are used for a variety of effects.
Go
Go means do the cue!
Gobo
Also known as a template, or sometimes a cookie, gobo is placed within a leko or other focusable fixture to project patterns.
Goggles
The first line of defense for your eyes. Many styles can be worn over eye glasses.
Graining
Using specially textured brushes and tools to create wood grain pattern and texture.
Grand Border
Downstage of the house curtain usually hangs the grand border. A border is a short curtain that hangs up in the air and goes all the way across the stage. It helps to mask the workings of the theater from the audience’s view. In this case, the grand border is the one closest to the audience. It is often made of fabric to match the house curtain, rather than the plainer fabric that is traditional for other borders.
Grayscale
The chart of tones and tints from black to white with no actual hue.
Grid
Horizontal and vertical lines, creating equal-size squares, drawn on a drop to help enlarge an image to full size.
Grinder
A tool that drives an abrasive disc that is mounted to a geared head.
Ground
The ground wire is there as a safety in case there is some sort of short circuit.
Ground Plan
A drawing of the stage or set as seen from above.
H
Half Hitch
A knot that forms the basis for a multitude of other knots.
Half Hour
A call given to everyone backstage 30 minutes prior to the curtain going up that lets everyone know that the house is being opened up to the audience and that they can no longer walk into the house.
Halogen Lightbulb
It is an incandescent lamp with a tungsten filament.
Hammer Drill
Looks similar to an electric drill. It works in a similar way with a drill bit that does the cutting. The added feature in a hammer drill is that the chuck creates a short, rapid hammer-type action to break through hard or brittle material. Hammer drills are used mostly when working with masonry or stone.
Hand Pull
A big, thick, synthetic rope that attaches to the bottom of the arbor and then goes around to the head block.
Hand Screw Clamp
An older style of clamp that is still used today. They are great when you need to be careful not to destroy your surface. This clamp is easy to recognize by its two heavy, broad wooden jaws. Passing through the jaws are screws with reverse threads at the ends so the jaws come together rapidly and can clamp at many different angles.
Hard Flat
A flat covered with ¼-inch plywood forming a hard surface.
Haze
Haze is about revealing light beams more than it is about being seen on its own. The machines use a water-soluble liquid that, when heated, turns to haze.
Head Block
A pulley mounted to overhead steel above the fly loft that changes the direction of multiple ropes.
Hemp House
A theater where the lift lines from the battens are rope, either organic or synthetic.
Hole Saw
Used to cut larger holes. A piece of thin metal wrapped in a circle with teeth added on one side. There is usually a small twist bit in the center that allows you to get the hole started in the exact place you want it.
Horizon Line
The line that separates the earth from the sky. In the theater, it is the horizontal line that comes closest to the height of your eye.
Hot-Glue Gun
Used for heating and dispensing hot melted glue.
House Curtain
Often a curtain is placed directly upstage of the proscenium and acts as a house curtain. The house curtain is used to mask the stage from the audience’s view prior to the performance. The house curtain is not always used in this manner today, as some less-traditional productions choose to expose the stage and the scenery rather than hiding it.
Hudson Sprayer
The brand name Hudson has become synonymous with the canister type of compression sprayer.
Hue
Another word for color.
I
Impedance
The amount of resistance a microphone has to an audio signal. The lower the resistance, the fewer problems the microphone may have using longer cables and dealing with noise interference. Generally low impedance means a better-quality microphone, and therefore becomes a perfect choice for the theater.
Impressionism
A type of realism and romanticism combined that seeks to allow the artist to define the personality of the subject matter. Through the use of color and light, the subject matter’s personality is revealed.
Incandescent Lightbulb
A carbon filament that is electrified within a vacuum in a glass envelope.
Input
Can be microphones, contact pickups, magnetic pickups, laser pickups, and optical pickups.
Insight
Observing the world around you and forming opinions.
Intelligent Lighting
Lighting fixtures that move via remote control.
Intensity
The brightness or dullness of a color. This helps describe our perception of a color.
Ionic
Order of Architecture. Ionic columns with scroll-like capitals followed soon after Doric.
J
Jig
A guide used with cutting or joining tools to produce multiple cuts of the same size or assemble many identical items.
Jig Saw
Also known as a saber saw, it has a small straight blade that cuts with an up and down motion. Because of its small blade, it is great for cutting curves but not as good for cutting straight lines.
K
Kelvin
Color temperature scale for lighting sources, lower numbers are warm, higher numbers are cool.
Key to Symbols
A box with different symbols to represent various items such as different lighting units.
Keyhole Saw
Also known as a drywall saw, it is a long, narrow saw used for cutting small, awkward holes into a variety of building materials.
Keystone
Originally shaped like a keystone, these rectangular pieces of ¼-inch plywood are used to hold the rails to the stiles in a soft, flat frame.
Kick-off Meeting
The first major meeting once a job is awarded to a shop. This involves all of the pertinent people. Schedules and many other details are laid out.
Kraft Paper
Kraft paper is paper produced by the kraft process from wood pulp. It is strong and relatively coarse. Kraft paper is usually a brown color but can be bleached to produce white paper. It is used for paper grocery bags, multiwall sacks, envelopes, and other packaging.
L
Lamp
Lightbulb.
Lamp Housing
The part of the fixture where the lamp is installed.
Laser Level
The LASER (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) emits a beam. The beam remains level as it goes into the distance. This is a great tool if you need to line up several items along the same line. Caution should be used to avoid people’s eyes with the beam.
Laser Measure
Typically more accurate than a traditional tape measure. Human error is all but eliminated. In most cases you just press a button, the laser emits its beam until it hits a solid surface, and then a digital display shows the distance measured.
Lavalier
Very small and designed to be clipped to clothing or hung around the neck. As the need for sound design in the theater has grown, lavaliers can now be attached in the hair or wigs, behind the ear, and even sewn into costumes, all to try and hide them.
Lay-In
A specialty brush used specifically for painting large areas such as a drop or a large expanse of scenery. They are larger than most other brush types with typical sizes of 5 and 6 inches.
LED
Light-emitting diode technology has been around for a long time. This high-output, low-wattage light source has only recently been integrated into theatrical lighting fixtures. When using color mixing of red, green, and blue, you can create virtually any color.
Leg
A visual extension of the backdrop. Also used for masking the wings.
Leko
Named after Mr. Levy and Mr. Kook, one of the original ellipsoidal spotlights. Leko has become the common name for virtually all ellipsoidals.
Lens
On a fixture, the lens helps to focus the light beam.
Lettering Guide
A template designed to make you letter perfectly.
Light Plot
A drawing to show the lighting equipment for the show, in relation to the scenery and masking.
Lighting Controller
A piece of electronics that sends a low-voltage or digital signal to the dimmers and other devices to control them.
Limelight
An intensely bright light created when a gas flame is directed at a cylinder of calcium oxide.
Line
The mathematical definition of a line is the shortest distance between two points. A line has direction. The designer or artist will often use this to infer what that direction is as part of the composition.
Line Array
Multiple speakers hung together, either vertically or horizontally, so that they can act as one huge speaker.
Line Weight
The thickness of a line. Varying the line weight within a composition creates contrast.
Linear Dimensions
Used when measuring in a straight line.
Linen
Linen is made from flax, or more specifically, a fiber taken from the stalk of the plant. It has a natural luster from the inherent wax content.
Lineset
The individual rigging points for hanging pipes and scenery in the air.
Lineset Inventory
Tells everyone where the pipes are in relation to the plaster line.
Linesman Pliers
All-around great pair of very strong pliers. They are great for holding, bending, and forming. The jaw surfaces are slightly toothed for better gripping. The jaws also have a built-in side-cutter tool.
Lining
Also known as a fitch brush.
Lining Stick
A beveled straight edge that allows you to run a brush along the side, using it as a guide for creating precise lines. It usually has a handle to make holding it easier when working from a distance.
Linnebach Projector
Early large-format image projector. The size and focus of the projected image was determined by the size of the glass slide installed and by moving the projector.
Liquid Latex
Made for a variety of effects from wrinkles, to filling in pock marks, to building up wounds. Always check for allergy possibilities.
Loading Floor
Where the technicians add and remove counterweights from the arbors.
Lobsterscope
A motorized disk with slits in it placed in front of a focusable light fixture used to project a strobe-like light.
Loft Block
A pulley mounted to the gridiron or support steel that supports and changes the direction of a lift-line rope between the load and the head block.
Looper
Loopers serve to create thread loops that pass from the needle thread to the edges of the fabric so that the edges of the fabric are contained within the seam.
M
Magic Sheet
Sometimes called a cheat sheet. It is a quick reference for the design team to be able to find the channel number quickly and easily. A magic sheet is a visual reference.
Mallet
A type of hammer with a soft head that helps to avoid damaging delicate surfaces. The head is also substantially larger than a regular hammer, which helps to spread out the force of the hit.
Masking
Legs, borders, or flats used to block the audience’s view of backstage or anything you don’t want them to see.
Material Safety Data Sheets
Also known as MSDS. Manufacturer-supplied data sheets provide detailed hazard and precautionary information for hazardous materials.
Media Server
A fancy name for a computer with a massive hard drive and a great graphics card.
Midrange
A speaker designed specifically for the midrange frequencies.
MIG
MIG (metal inert gas) uses a spool of continuously fed wire that allows the welder to join longer stretches of metal without stopping to replace rods.
Miter Box
Has precut slots or a movable guide in it to fix a saw into a certain angle.
Miter Saw
Uses fine crosscut teeth. Miter saws are often used in conjunction with a miter box.
Mixing Console
Provides preamplification, which amplify the microphone level signals to line level.
Monkey’s Fist
A knot that adds a substantial amount of weight to the end of the rope.
Monochromatic
An entire composition made up of tints, tones, and shades of the same hue.
Mr. Puffy
Mr. Puffy is basically the chalk line of costume design. Tailor’s chalk, ground to a powder, is put into a small container with a very focused spout. There is a hose attached to the container controlled by a squeeze ball. The whole thing is mounted on a stand that is measured and marked so you know how high it is off the ground. Squeeze the ball and POOF, your hemline is marked.
Multipair Cable
A single outer jacket and insulation with many internal balanced, or twisted-pair, lines.
Multiple Dimensions
Used when measuring several things in a row from the same starting point.
N
Nail Set
Used for driving the head of a nail either flush or just below the finished surface.
Naturalism
Naturalism is quite specific. There are no stereotypes per se, but specific characters in specific environments. The purpose of this very detailed world is to show how a person’s character and life choices are determined in part by the environmental or social forces.
Needle-Nose Pliers
Good for smaller jobs. Basic pliers, but the gripping end is not flat but comes to a small narrow point. This makes them great for holding much smaller items with more precision.
Nut Driver
Sized to fit specific nut or bolt head dimensions. Made up of a handle and driver as a single tool. Does not ratchet.
O
Open-Ended Wrench
A nonadjustable type of wrench that fits a specific size of hardware and has an open end.
Orchestra Pit
The area between the stage and the auditorium. The orchestra will occupy this space if there is an orchestra for the show. If there is no orchestra in the show, the pit may be covered to provide extra acting area. The name pit comes from the fact that most often this area is lower than the auditorium floor, creating a “pit,” similar to the standing-room area in Shakespeare’s time.
Orthographic Projection
A way of representing a 3D object in two dimensions using multiple views.
OSHA
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is an agency of the U.S. Government’s Department of Labor. OSHA’s mission is to “assure the safety and health of America’s workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health.”
Output
Can be loudspeakers (woofers, midrange, and tweeters) and headphones.
Outrigger
Stabilizing legs that attach to the base of a lift or other potentially unstable item.
Overhand Knot
The simplest knot of them all.
Overlocking
This stitch sews over the edge of one or two pieces of cloth for edging, hemming, or seaming.
Oxyacetylene
Commonly referred to as gas welding. A process that relies on the proper combination of oxygen and acetylene.
P`
Paint Elevation
A 2D, full-color, to-scale representation of exact paint details.
Palette
Typically made from plastic to hold a variety of colors or types of makeup. Also used for custom mixing.
Panel Saw
A circular saw with a big bracket on it to allow for movement across a large-scale predetermined grid. They can be either horizontal or vertical, although most scene shops prefer the vertical type to save space. Cutting sheets of plywood into smaller pieces is this tool’s specialty.
PAR
The light fixture that holds a PAR (parabolic aluminum reflector) lamp.
Parallel Rule
A straight edge that travels up and down the drafting table on two cables. Allows you to draw horizontal lines that are consistently parallel to each other.
Pattern
A repeated element within a composition. Any shape, repeated, becomes a pattern.
Patterning Template
A tool to help ease the transitions between pieces in a custom pattern.
Patterns
The diagrams of the pieces and parts of a garment that act as a guide for its construction.
Pepper’s Ghost
A stage illusion developed by chemist John Pepper used to make a ghost appear and disappear or turn the reflection of one actor into another.
Periaktoi
Triangular columns that revolve to reveal other sides, and other sets.
Perspective
A type of drawing that uses a 2D technique to approximate a 3D object.
Phillips Screws
A screw with an X indented into the top.
Pin Rail
A locking device to hold ropes attached to things that are getting lifted. The ropes get belayed onto the pins.
Pipe Clamp
Hanging hardware to attach a fixture to a pipe.
Pipe Cutter
like a C with a handle coming out the bottom. The handle is tightened, which tightens the pressure onto the pipe. This forces the sharp blade into the pipe while wheels around the clamp continuously rotate the pipe.
Pipe Reamer
Used whenever pipe or tube is cut to remove burrs.
Pipe Threader
Used to cut threads into pipe.
Pipe Wrench
Meant for gripping round objects. Primarily it is used for metal pipes, thus its name. It has an adjustable jaw similar to the adjustable wrench. It closes and opens by screwing itself tighter as the wrench clamps down on the pipe.
Places
Called a few minutes before the show begins. This means that all actors and technicians should go immediately to the places where they will be needed to start the show.
Plan View
An overhead view of the architecture of the theater or scenic or lighting elements.
Plane
Used to flatten, reduce the thickness of, and smooth a surface of a generally rough piece of lumber. Planes usually have a cutting edge on the bottom that is then attached to the solid body of the plane. Can also be used to cut specific shapes depending on what cutting edge is installed.
Plaster Line
Where the apron meets the stage deck, this is our reference for all upstage/downstage measurements.
Platform
Small sections of flooring that add height to the existing stage.
Plumb Bob
Used when trying to determine a level line from one point only. That means you can attach a string to the top of a wall. Let the string drop down with a plumb bob attached the bottom. The plumb bob is a weight and will stop swinging at the point of making the string level. Also useful for determining a point directly below something hung over the stage.
Pneumatic
A tool that requires a compressor to generate air pressure.
Postmodernism
This style rejects the preoccupation with purity of form and technique. Mixtures of style elements from the past are applied to spare modern forms. The observer is asked to bring their opinions of this combined form, as there is no real standard or unity.
Pounce
Using a pounce wheel, a small tool with sharp teeth around a wheel, to punch holes in kraft paper while tracing an image. A pounce bag, filled with chalk or charcoal, is then used to transfer the design.
Powder Brush
A full and luxurious brush for adding powder or removing excess powder without disturbing makeup.
Power Puff
Usually round. They are always soft, and some are washable. They are great for applying powder very specifically, and for blotting.
Preshow Checklist
A list of everything that needs to be in place for the show and where, or with whom, it should be. This includes props, costumes, scenery, lighting practicals, effects machines, everything.
Preshrink
Most fabrics will want to be prewashed before you cut and assemble them into a garment. This allows them to be more their final size before fabrication so that the sizing of the completed garment will be, and remain, more accurate.
Presentational
Offers a performance where everyone is fully aware that the actors are at work on a stage, speaking and acting out a script, under lights, and in costumes. There is no attempt to disguise the fact that a theatrical performance is taking place to entertain the audience.
Pressure Response Microphone
Usually mounted to a flat surface with the attached plate, which increases gain.
Previsualization
Often referred to as pre-vis, it means just what you think. It’s a way to “see” what the show will look like before you get to the theater.
Primary
A color that cannot be created by mixing any other colors together.
Primer
A way to make the surface ready to accept your design. Raw wood or fabric will soak in a great deal of the first layer of paint. This is the basis for priming.
Prop Breakdown
Contains all information about each prop used in the production. Includes which actor(s) uses it, where they enter from, when they need it, which scene it is in, and where it comes back off stage. Also, and very important, how does the prop get off stage? Should also include descriptions of each prop and anything about the prop that may need to be preset.
Proportion
Proportion is a mathematical thing. It defines the relationship between objects or parts of the same object.
Proscenium
This proscenium arch is what formally separates the audience from the acting area. It creates a frame around the stage just like a picture frame for a painting. It lets you know where to look, and more important, where not to look!
Pry Bar
Made of metal and both ends are designed to be used for different purposes. They are used as leverage for separating objects. Some pry bars are meant to remove nails and do minor lifting. Some are bulky enough to be able to perform demolition.
Q
Quartz Envelope
The clear covering over the filament of a lamp.
R
Radial Arm Saw
Works similarly to a circular saw. A crosscut saw blade is usually installed. The blade head is suspended from a long arm, thus the name, in a yoke that allows for selectable degrees of rotation. There is a handle for moving the blade head forward and back while cutting the wood.
Rag Rolling
Rag rolling can be done in two different ways. You can use a roller and paint a surface, then take a cotton rag that has been bunched into a loose ball, then roll the rag ball across the paint to remove paint while also making a texture. You can also do the reverse by applying paint to the rag and rolling it onto the surface to add paint and texture at the same time.
Rail
The horizontal pieces of a frame for a flat.
Rake
An angled stage is called a raked stage. The rake also serves as our basis for our modern stage directions. Any part of the stage or house that is on an angle is considered to be on a rake.
Rasp
A woodworking tool for shaping the wood. It is made up of a long, narrow steel bar. There is a handle on one end while the rest of the rasp has triangular teeth cut into it. When drawn across a piece of wood, it will shave away parts of the wood, very coarsely.
Raster
Raster is a pixel-based technology.
Realism
Representation of nature without idealizing (as in classicism) or inclining to the emotional or extravagant (as in romanticism). There is an interest in the accurate and graphic that may degenerate into excessive detail and preoccupation with the trivial.
Reciprocating Saw
Has a straight blade mounted at one end of the body. The blade moves back and forth (that is where it gets its name), much like the action of a jigsaw, but they are much more powerful and versatile than jigsaws. A variety of blade options means they can cut through almost anything.
Reference White
The standard by which you judge all other colors. In actuality white may not exist in the work. The reference established can be any color that you want the audience to perceive as white.
Reflector
Bounces light from the lamp, gaining brightness until the light comes out the front of the fixture.
Rehearsal Schedule
This becomes your master calendar. It should list dates, times, places, and which members of the cast and crew will be required.
Removers
Various products made to dissolve and remove other products.
Rendering
A full-color, finished sketch.
Representational
Shows naked truths about ordinary existence within specific situations. This style can be broken into two substyles, realism and naturalism.
Research
Any visual reference that will help to inform your choices is considered research.
Respirator
Air-purifying and atmosphere-supplying respirators are used when the face mask is inadequate to protect the worker.
Rip Blade
Saw blade for cutting wood. The teeth are designed to cut with, or parallel to, the grain.
Romanticism
Imaginative emphasizing individualism in thought and expression in direct opposition to the restrictive formality of classicism. Other traits of this period are freedom of fancy in conception and treatment, picturesque strangeness, or suggestions of drama and adventure.
Round Brush
Good for lining eyes, etching brows, and applying fine details to special effects makeup.
Router
Motorized tools that typically cut grooves or decorative trims along the edge of a piece of wood.
Rule of Thirds
The basic rule of composition. An image can be broken up into thirds both vertically and horizontally. Each piece of the main image, while having the ability to stand on its own, is an integral part of the whole and directs the viewer’s focus.
S
Sandbag
A counterweight used in a hemp house.
Saturation
Describes the amount of pure color a hue contains.
Scale
Scale is a term that relates to how big or small the object is. Used in determining relationships and the surrounding proportions of a composition.
Scale Rule
Normally a triangular-shaped ruler with 6 sides containing 11 different scales.
Scar Wax
Pliable, yet firm, shaded wax used to mold simulated injuries and moles.
Scene Machine
An image projector with a highly efficient light source and lenses that could focus the image.
Scenic Ground Row
Used to ease the stage floor into the backdrop. This was two dimensional and usually had a cutout design on the top to help the transition to the drop.
Scoop
The quality of the light from a scoop is very soft and gentle, creating an even wash covering a large area.
SCR
Introduced in 1958, the silicon-controlled rectifier is still used today. It is controlled electronically.
Scroll Saw
A bench-top tool used for freehand cutting of intricate shapes in fairly thin wood. The scroll saw uses thin blades, similar to a jigsaw, to allow for the small radius needed to complete these designs.
Scumble
Putting a small amount of paint on your brush, and then lightly dragging it across a dry surface. This is often used as an overlay to a background image such as creating sunbeams coming out of clouds.
Seam Ripper
The best tool for opening seams when changes in a constructed garment need to be made since it is specifically designed for it.
Secondary
Combining any two primary colors creates a secondary color.
Section
A visual cut through the middle of important details so that we can see how other parts of the show will relate.
Serger
An overlock sewing machine, or serger, will cut the edges of the cloth as they are fed through, though some are made without cutters.
Shackle
A U-shaped device with holes at each end to accommodate a pin or bolt.
Shade
A hue that has been mixed with black.
Shape
Shape is the definition of any 2D or 3D object.
Sheave
Basically a pulley. It has a groove around its circumference to support and contain a rope and a bearing at its center to permit rotation.
Shield
A kind of insulation that is conductive to protect against electromagnetic and electrostatic fields. This helps keep the buzz and hum away from your system.
Show Deck
The floor of the theater is often covered completely with platforms, called a show deck.
Shutters
Shaped pieces of metal inside the leko with a handle attached on the outside used to shape the beam.
Side View
A drawing showing the sides of things.
Sightlines
The imaginary lines between the audience’s eyes and the stage. Also called line of sight.
Sign-in Sheet
A chart to keep track of who is at rehearsals and if they arrive on time or not. It should be posted in the same place at every rehearsal. This is your best and only way to keep track of missing actors and crew.
Signal Processor
Can be mixing console, equalizers, reverberation, delay, and amplifiers.
Silk
Silk is a natural protein fiber taken from the cocoon of the silkworm.
Single-Phase
Two hot wires (typically one black and one red), a neutral wire (the white one), and a ground wire (the green one).
Single Purchase
In a single-purchase setup the loading floor is on the stage floor. This means you will loose a lot of stage space in wings to accommodate the arbors. The advantage of the single-purchase system is that the counterweight required is 1:1. You will need to add one pound of counterweight to the arbor for each pound on the pipe.
Sketch
The initial drawing of design concepts in black and white or color.
Slip-Joint Pliers
Similar to linesman pliers with one major difference. The joint that holds the two sides together is keyed so that the jaws can be opened wider as needed for certain jobs.
Sloper
A basic pattern shape in a variety of sizes. Slopers come in different pattern shapes. They help you to get started with a custom pattern by letting you more easily fit the pattern pieces together as you are making adjustments.
Slotted Screw
A screw with a single straight indent in the top.
Smoke Pocket
The guide on either side of the stage that the fire curtain travels within.
Snake
Several complete audio cables held together in a common jacket.
Socket Set
A handle and a series of replaceable heads. Each head has an opening on one side; each opening is a different size to correspond to different sizes of bolt heads and nuts. Sockets work with a ratcheting technology that allows you to loosen or tighten the bolt or nut quickly.
Soft Flat
The traditional theater type of flat. It has a soft covering made of muslin.
Soft goods
All fabric items found in the theater.
Soldering
Uses molten metal to join two pieces of metal. The metal added during the process has a melting point lower than that of the material, so only the added metal is melted, not the material. Soldering uses metals with a melting point below 800° Fahrenheit. Soldering commonly is used to join electrical, electronic, and other small metal parts.
Spade Bit
A drill bit with a straight shaft with a rectangular bottom that comes to a point. Used for boring holes, typically of a larger size or depth, in wood.
Spanset
Generically known as roundslings. Continuous loops of monofilament or steel-galvanized aircraft cable in a canvaslike (polyester) sheath.
Spatter
To spatter, you load a brush with a small amount of paint and then basically shake the brush at the surface without allowing it to touch, thus creating a loose pattern of dots for texture.
Spatula
A tool used for mixing makeup and applying thicker products like nose or scar wax and gel effects.
Speed Square
This is a metal triangle containing both 90-degree and 45-degree angles. There are measurement markings along the sides. The important difference between the speed square and other types of squares is that the speed square has a flange on one side that you can use to hold it square against the edge of your material. Sometimes referred to as a roofer’s square.
Speed Wrench
Similar to a box wrench with one major exception. It contains a ratchet on both ends.
Spirit Level
The spirit level is so named because the little vial containing liquid is actually partially filled with ethanol (alcohol).
Sponging
Used to create a paint texture by dabbing paint onto, or off of, a surface with a sponge.
Spot Block
A pulley designed for temporary, and easily movable, connection to a gridiron or other theater structure.
Spring Clamp
Often called a squeeze clamp and identified by the size their jaws can open. They are clamps that are strong and lightweight. They differ from other clamps in that they tighten and loosen based on a spring’s tension.
Sprinkler System
A network of piping and sprinkler heads with water under pressure placed throughout the space.
Square Knot
The basis for so much. Used for binding together two ropes of the same size. Also known as a reef knot, the square knot is secure and easy to untie.
Stage
The acting area.
Stage Blood
Commercial stage blood has many realistic qualities to include color and viscosity. It can come in liquid or powder form for specific effects. It can also come in a peppermint flavor so that if the blood must be put in the mouth it is at least palatable. Staining can occur on skin and fabrics, so be careful of this.
Stage Left
With an actor standing on the stage facing the audience, to the actor’s left is stage left.
Stage Right
With an actor standing on the stage facing the audience, to the actor’s right is stage right.
Stage Manager Kit
Should include a range of items such as pencils, erasers, highlighters, pads of paper, post-it notes, paper clips, stapler, etc. Everything you’ll need to do your job, plus spares.
Standby
A standby means the cue is imminent.
Stapler
Binds things together by forcing thin metal staples into the material with pressure.
Stile
The side or vertical pieces of a frame for a flat.
Stipple Sponge
Very coarse, open sponge. Great for adding texture such as beards, bruising, and road rash.
String Level
Mounted on a string that is pulled fairly taut between two points in the area you are trying to measure.
Strip Lights
Several fixtures built into one. Used for washing cycs and other large areas. Typically made with multiple circuits.
Strobe
A machine that is capable of producing bright flashes of light. Newer models can vary the speed and intensity of the flashes.
Style
The manner of presentation of the production.
Subtractive
When all three primary colors are mixed together in equal parts they “theoretically” make black.
Subwoofer
A speaker designed specifically to reproduce very low-frequency sounds.
Symbol
A symbol is a picture, object, or color that stands for something else.
T
Tab
A masking leg turned 90 degrees so that is it oriented upstage and downstage.
Table Saw
Works similarly to the circular saw. It is mounted on a table, which gives it more stability and allows for a more powerful engine. A rip saw blade is usually installed. The tabletop gives stability to the material you are cutting, allowing you to cut bigger pieces of wood more easily.
Tack Hammer
A small hammer usually used for the detail work on finishing projects.
Tailor’s Chalk
Perfect for marking where you will need to adjust the fit of a garment to an actor. Use chalk to make markings before you cut and assemble. The reason tailor’s chalk is so good for this purpose is that when you no longer need the markings, the chalk can be brushed away without leaving any residue. During fittings it is much faster to mark a garment with chalk than to have an actor stand there while you insert pin after pin.
Tape Measure
The tape measure we are most used to seeing these days is the self-retracting pocket tape measure. Its flexibility allows you to measure long lengths while still allowing it to be easily carried in your pocket. A tape measure blade is usually marked both in inches and in feet. Similar in concept to the scenic tape measures, yet different in fabrication. It is a soft, flexible tape measure usually about 60 inches long that can conform to the curves of a body well. Used for taking measurements of people and fabric.
Tertiary
The result of two secondary colors mixed together.
Texture
Texture represents a 3D. Can be either tactile or nontactile.
Thermal Barrier
Some type of item placed between a heat source and a combustible materials to prevent the material from burning.
Thimble
A grooved fitting around which a wire rope is bent to form an eye.
Three-Phase
Three hot wires (black, red, and blue) along with the neutral and ground.
Thrust
Usually considered to be a hybrid of the proscenium. There is most often a proscenium of some kind. The apron becomes much larger and “thrusts” into the auditorium. Many people compare it to a tongue or a fashion runway. There is no rule about its shape or size. Just that it extends substantially into the audience area.
TIG
During tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding the welder holds the welding rod in one hand and an electric torch in the other hand. The torch is used to simultaneously melt the rod and a portion of the project’s material.
Tin Snips
Scissorlike tool used to cut thin sheets of metal.
Tint
A hue that has been mixed with white.
Title Block
Contains all important information regarding the production and, specifically, the drawing.
TNC
A threaded version of the BNC connector. The threads replace the bayonet.
Tone
A hue mixed with gray.
Top Hat
Shaped like a man’s top hat, this is used to cut down light spill and help in focusing a light.
Torx
A brand name for a type of screw or wrench with a six-pointed star on the end. Is not the same as Allen.
Trap
A hole in the floor with a replaceable plug.
Traveler
Just like a curtain track in your house only bigger and sturdier, the traveler can hold a very heavy curtain and allow it to move.
Triangle
A template used to draw vertical and angled lines.
Trunnion
Mounting hardware for placing a fixture, usually a strip light, on the floor.
Truss
Two or more pieces of pipe fabricated together with cross bracing. This is used in place of standard pipes when you have extremely heavy loads to lift, or there are extended distances between lift lines.
T-square
Shaped like a T. The short part of the T leans against the side of your table. By sliding it up and down the length of your table, the long part of the T becomes an edge you can use to draw a horizontal line. It is a replacement for the parallel rule.
Tuscan
Order of Architecture. The Romans devised tuscan for use in their temples and other public buildings. Although no tuscan columns survive, it was thought to originate in the Etruscan times.
Tweeter
A type of speaker designed specifically to reproduce high frequencies.
Twist Bit
A straight drill bit with spiral twists down its length. Typically used for metal but can also be used on wood, plastics, and many other materials. The front edge of each spiral is a cutting edge. The spiral design helps to remove the debris from the hole as you drill. These bits are usually made from high-speed steel, carbon steel, or tungsten carbide.
Twisted Pair
Has two center conductors twisted together. Many twisted pairs can share one insulation and jacket. All balanced audio cables are twisted-pair cables with a shield, which further protects the signal being transmitted from introduced noise.
U
Upstage
The area of the stage furthest from the audience.
Utility Knife
Also known as a mat knife. This type of knife comes in a metal or plastic handle. The blade is retractable, meaning it stores completely in the handle. It uses a two-sided blade. This means when the blade gets dull you can open the handle, pull out the blade, turn it around, and put it back in.
V
Value
Value is the lightness or darkness of a color. This helps describe our perception of a color.
Vanishing Point
Refers to the point in space where two parallel lines “seem” to converge.
Vector
Vector-based images are created using mathematical formulas to locate each point. Lines are then drawn to connect the dots.
Vise Grips
Pliers with an adjustable locking mechanism. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes that makes them applicable for many jobs.
Vises
Made from metal and usually attached to a shop bench for stability. There are two jaws on the top that are usually fairly wide and smooth. By turning a screw the jaws are brought together, thereby holding whatever has been caught inside.
Voltage
The difference of electrical potential between two points of a circuit.
Vomitorium
A hallway where the actors can enter unseen from the middle of the audience. This area usually leads directly underneath the audience risers. The Roman theater had at least two, one on each side. Not only do actors use these for entrances and exits, but also the audience is often ushered in and out of the theater using them.
W
Warning
A verbal signal that a cue is coming up soon.
Wattage
The rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit.
West Virginia
A mathematical formula that can help you find the watts, volts, or amps if you know two of the three values.
Wet Blend
Done by applying one layer of paint, and while it is still wet, applying a second coat that blends partially or completely with the first.
Wet/Dry Vacuum
A vacuum cleaner with a substantial tank for collecting whatever you’re cleaning up. With the flick of a switch, depending on the brand, you can go from vacuuming sawdust to water!
White Balance
A phrase often used when shooting video or film but it is equally important in the theater. You “teach” your camera or your eyes what white really looks like and then all other colors are seen in relation, or in perspective, to this newly defined “white.”
Winch
Geared mechanisms that can be either hand operated or motorized. They are used to raise, lower, or move heavy equipment. The gearing produces a mechanical advantage in both speed and load capacity.
Wing and Drop
Comprised of legs and borders often painted to complement the backdrop.
Wings
The area just off stage, left and right of the acting area.
Wire Rope
Consists of a number of strands of steel wire twisted on the diagonal around a core. Each strand consists of a number of wires also twisted on the diagonal around a core.
Wire Rope Clip
A U-shaped bolt and a pad with two holes for sliding up the bolt. Two small nuts are used for holding the pad in place. Used for securing wire rope.
Woofer
A speaker designed to reproduce low frequencies.
Wool
Wool fiber comes from a variety of different animal coats and not all wools are scratchy. Some are even extremely soft.
X
XLR
Can have three pins or more. This connector is one of the most commonly used connectors in the sound world. Originally called the “X series” when it first came out, the L represents the added latch, and the R is for the rubber surrounding the internal contacts.
Y
Yankee Screwdriver
Also referred to as the “push screwdriver,” and is an older style. This screwdriver has a spiral center so that when you press down on the handle the head turns the spiral center so you can drive in or back out a screw by just pushing down on the handle.
Yoke
Mounting hardware for hanging a fixture that is usually integral to the fixture.
Z
Zetex
Replaced asbestos as a thermal barrier.
APPENDIX B:
QUOTES
APPENDIX C:
USELESS FACTIODS
OPENING NIGHT AND PAYING CUSTOMERS
There is a superstition in theater about the opening-night customers. As we all know, some tickets are given away through various connections with the production. These are called “comps” or complementary tickets. Supposedly the first customer to be admitted into the auditorium must be a paying customer. This is said to ensure the financial success of the production. House managers have been known to refuse admittance to someone with a comp ticket prior to seating a paying customer first.
THE GREEN ROOM
The green room in a theater is known for being the one room where you can just go and hang out. You can meet with people to talk with before or after a performance. Actors sometimes even meet the fans in the green room. But it is very rare that I’ve ever seen a green room that is actually green! So how did it get its name?
One story says that the Gaelic word grian means sunlit, which is where we get the word “greenhouse.” Since the green room is often one of the few rooms in the theater with windows, it was labeled the green room.
THE SCOTTISH PLAY
Perhaps the most prevalent superstition in all of theatre is about Macbeth. We are never supposed to mention the name when we are in a theater building. It is said that if you say the name, terrible things will happen. Apparently this is based on the lustful greed for power that takes place in the plot of that play. Everyone calls it the “Scottish play” instead, and we all know what they mean.
Theatre veterans can tell many tales about bad luck happening when the name is said aloud. It is often thought that the supernatural forces of evil are behind this. But you’re in luck, because there is a way to break the curse. If you say the name, you must spin around and spit on the floor. They say the spin turns back time and the spit expels the poisonous word from your system.
BREAK A LEG
One possible explanation for this expression is its relation to “taking a knee,” which itself has roots in chivalry. Meeting royalty, one would “take a knee”—in other words, bend down to one knee. That breaks the line of the leg, hence “break a leg,” a wish that the performer will do so well that he or she will need to take bows.
GREEN IS A BAD COLOR
Don’t wear green onstage. Actors used to perform outdoors on the green grass so actors wearing green weren’t seen very well. Also, a green light was often used to illuminate characters and this limelight would make anyone wearing green appear practically invisible.
UMBRELLA PROBLEMS
For over a century, opening umbrellas on stage has been perceived as bad luck. It has been thought that the belief actually started in 1868 when an orchestra leader named Bob Williams said good-bye to his theater company before going away for the weekend. He opened his umbrella while standing on the stage, and then walked out into a very rainy day. An hour later he was standing on the stern of a boat, waving good-bye to a group of friends. As it sailed away from the dock, one of the engines exploded and Williams was instantly killed. The publicity seemed to say that the accident and the opening of the umbrella were connected. A theater superstition was born and lives to this day. As with many of the other superstitions, there is a “counter spell.” This was especially needed with this belief, because occasionally an actor must open an umbrella as a stage direction in a play. If an actor opens the umbrella facing the ground, good luck is restored.
“STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER”
In show business, particularly theater and the circus, this hymn is called the “Disaster March.” It is a traditional code signaling a life-threatening emergency. This helps theater personnel to handle things and organize the audience’s exit without panic. One example of its use was at the Hartford Circus Fire in July 1944.
MONCKY WRENCH
The Moncky wrench is an adjustable wrench that is rarely used today. Its use has generally been replaced by the adjustable-end wrench, which has a compact head and so is more easily used in confined places. The wrench is named for Charles Moncky, the inventor of it, who sold his patent for $2,000.
EVIL CURTAINS
Even the drop curtain contributes its share of stage superstitions, as nearly every actor and manager believes it is bad luck to look out at the audience from the wrong side of it when it is down. Some say it is the prompt side that casts the evil spell, while others contend it is the opposite side. The management, not being sure from which side the bad luck is likely to accrue, places a peephole directly in the center.
BABY DOLL
When baby dolls are off stage during a performance, set them face down on the props table instead of face up. This superstition comes from China. It is believed that if a baby doll is left face up, its spirit (kind of like a poltergeist) will emerge from its eyes and do poltergeist-like things in the theater.
CHURCH KEY
Church key—the monks made their own ale. In order to keep the recipes secret the monasteries were locked. Since the new bottle opener looked a bit like a skeleton key, it was referred to as a church key.
CATS
Cats, on the other hand, are thought to be lucky in the theater; that is as long as they are content to watch plays from the wings. A black cat is supposed to be an even more infallible source of good luck. It is said that all around the theatre world, dark felines are treated with the greatest care and consideration. If a cat crosses the stage though, it is thought to be a terrible omen.
WHISTLING
Whistling backstage is a taboo because it supposedly brings dire results. This superstition quite likely has its roots in the past when managers hired sailors to run the fly loft, on the premise that the sailors’ expertise with knots and raising and lowering sails made them ideal workers. A signal system of whistles cued the sailors. Someone whistling for personal enjoyment could sound like a cue, resulting in a dire event like a heavy batten falling on actors’ heads. Therefore, whistling can be bad luck.
GHOST LIGHT
Many theaters have ghosts, according to resident theater personnel who will tell you they’ve seen or heard uncanny visitors, and some insist that to ward off bad-luck spirits there must always be a “ghost light” illuminating the stage when it is not in use. It is turned on as the actors and crews leave and burns all night. If the stage is dark, the superstition has it, ghosties can run free. Or perhaps we leave a light on so they can perform.
To me, the reason is less ghostly and more a statement of intense belief: We must be sure that concrete light always is on so that the metaphorical light of the theater never will disappear. “Dark,” let us recall, refers to a time when there is no show (i.e., “We perform Tuesday through Sunday, but Monday is dark”). We want our art never to become “dark,” but instead to remain brightly alive. Or, the stage should never be left dark. A light should always be on to keep the ghost company and happy. The light left on the stage is referred to as the ghost light. Or, a burglar fell off the stage, broke his or her leg, and sued the theater.
DARK SUCKER THEORY
For years it has been believed that electric bulbs emitted light. However, recent information has proven otherwise. Electric bulbs don’t emit light, they suck dark. Thus, they now call these bulbs “dark suckers.” The dark sucker theory, proves the existence of dark, that dark has mass heavier than that of light, and that dark is faster than light.
The basis of the dark sucker theory is that electric bulbs suck dark. Take, for example, the dark suckers in the room where you are. There is less dark right next to them than there is elsewhere. The larger the dark sucker, the greater its capacity to suck dark. Dark suckers in a parking lot have a much greater capacity than the ones in this room. As with all things, dark suckers don’t last forever. Once they are full of dark, they can no longer suck. This is proven by the black spot on a full dark sucker.
A candle is a primitive dark sucker. A new candle has a white wick. You will notice that after the first use, the wick turns black, representing all the dark that has been sucked into it. If you hold a pencil next to the wick of an operating candle, the tip will turn black because it got in the path of the dark flowing into the candle. Unfortunately, these primitive dark suckers have a very limited range.
There are also portable dark suckers. The bulbs in these can’t handle all of the dark by themselves, and must be aided by a dark storage unit. When the dark storage unit (or battery) is full, it must be either emptied or replaced before the portable dark sucker can operate again.
Dark has mass. When dark goes into a dark sucker, friction from this mass generates heat. Thus, it is not wise to touch an operating dark sucker. Candles present a special problem, as the dark must travel in the solid wick instead of through glass. This generates a great amount of heat. Thus, it can be very dangerous to touch an operating candle.
Dark is also heavier than light. If you swim deeper and deeper, you notice it gets slowly darker and darker. When you reach a depth of approximately 50 feet, you are in total darkness. This is because the heavier dark sinks to the bottom of the lake and the lighter light floats to the top.
The immense power of dark can be utilized to man’s advantage. We can collect the dark that has settled to the bottom of lakes and push it through turbines, which generate electricity and help push it to the ocean where it may be safely stored. Prior to turbines, it was much more difficult to get dark from the rivers and lakes to the ocean.
The Indians recognized this problem, and tried to solve it. When on a river in a canoe traveling in the same direction as the flow of the dark, they paddled slowly, so as not to stop the flow of dark, but when they traveled against the flow of dark, they paddled quickly, so as to help push the dark along its way.
Finally, we must prove that dark is faster than light. If you were to stand in an illuminated room in front of a closed, dark closet, then slowly open the closet door, you would see the light slowly enter the closet, but since the dark is so fast, you would not be able to see the dark leave the closet.
In conclusion, dark suckers make all our lives much easier. So the next time you look at an electric bulb, remember that it is indeed a dark sucker.
TRIPPING
If an actress trips on the hem of her dress, she should pick it up and kiss the hem for good luck.
KNITTING
It is unlucky for an actor to knit while on the side of the stage. This is because knitting needles are pointy and can rip expensive costumes, or the needle may fall on the floor and cause someone to fall onstage.
FLOWERS
It is bad luck for an actor to receive flowers before the play begins, though flowers given after the play has ended is considered good luck.
LIPSTICK
When making up, an actress regards it as a sign that she received a good contract if she accidentally smears some lipstick onto her teeth.
IN THE LIMELIGHT
This is not a superstition but instead illustrates the way some theatrical terms enter everyday conversation. You’ve heard of this or that athlete, politician, or rock star having his or her day “in the limelight”? The phrase dates back to 1808 when Sir Humphrey Davy, a British chemist, discovered that a brilliant white light resulted from heating calcium oxide (“lime”) to an extreme temperature. This “limelight” became popular to illuminate the important actors on stage. Think followspot. It follows, then, “in the limelight” came to mean “in the center of attention,” and vice versa.
THE LAST WORD
Some theatre folks believe it is bad luck to speak the last line of the play before opening night, because the play isn’t “finished” until performed. Well, given the number of tech cues associated with that last line— lights, sound, curtain—plus somewhat frenzied blocking to get everyone off stage and in position for the curtain call, isn’t it awfully risky not to rehearse it?
Somewhat connected, I’ve always postponed blocking the curtain call until the very last moment, mostly because doing it says “we’re finished,” when we aren’t. Also, the way a curtain call is blocked necessarily will indicate relative importance of various roles, and I dislike making that statement to the cast because it violates the idea of an ensemble, the creation of which is always one of my directorial goals.
BAD DRESS REHEARSAL … GOOD OPENING
There is a saying that “a bad dress rehearsal will equal a good opening night.” It might have started with a producer who had a show under way that had an absolute disastrous dress rehearsal. Not knowing how else to build morale, the producer glibly invented a quick excuse: “Well, you know the old saying that a bad dress rehearsal guarantees a great show!” And that propaganda is hauled out by its hind legs every time a dress rehearsal goes down the tubes. Plah! Most times, a cruddy dress rehearsal most often will mean a cruddy opening; a potent dress rehearsal, on the other hand, builds confidence and morale and it is a marvelous high leaping off place for growth that will follow.
APPENDIX D:
IMAGE CREDITS
CHAPTER ONE
“Old School/New School” courtesy of Michael A. Fink.
1.1 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
1.2 Image courtesy of Wendy Herron.
1.3 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
1.4 © 2003 Thomas G. Hines, Whitman College.
1.5 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
1.6 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
1.7 Image courtesy of Wendy Herron.
1.8 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
1.9 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
1.10 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
1.11 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
1.12 © 2005 Michael Brosilow.
1.13 © 2005 Michael Brosilow.
1.14 Image courtesy of Wendy Herron.
1.15 Photo courtesy of Jason Adams, 1869 Bardavon Opera House.
1.16 Image courtesy of Wendy Herron.
1.17 Image courtesy of Katie Kogler.
1.18 Image courtesy of Katie Kogler.
1.19 Image courtesy of Katie Kogler.
CHAPTER TWO
“The Show” courtesy of Michael A. Fink.
2.1 Image courtesy of Katie Kogler.
2.3 Image courtesy of Salvatore Tagliarino.
2.4 “Long Beach” courtesy of Isabella Rupp.
2.5 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
2.6 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
2.7 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
2.8 © Rosaria Sinisi.
2.9 © Rosaria Sinisi.
2.10 © 2005 George Mott.
2.11 Photo courtesy of Carol Rosegg, Shakespeare Theatre Company.
2.12 Photo courtesy of Joan Marcus, Shakespeare Theatre Company.
2.13 Photo courtesy of Carol Rosegg, Shakespeare Theatre Company.
2.14 Photo courtesy of Carol Rosegg, Shakespeare Theatre Company.
CHAPTER THREE
“Urban Panel” courtesy of Michael A. Fink.
3.1 Photo courtesy of Wendy Herron.
3.2 © John Carver.
3.3 “Sunday” courtesy of Isabella Rupp.
3.4 © John Carver.
3.5 © Beth Bergman.
3.6 Image courtesy of Salvatore Tagliarino.
3.7 Image courtesy of Salvatore Tagliarino.
3.8 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
3.9 Image courtesy of Salvatore Tagliarino.
3.10 Image courtesy of Salvatore Tagliarino.
3.11 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
3.13 Image courtesy of Salvatore Tagliarino.
CHAPTER FOUR
“The Saucerer” courtesy of Michael A. Fink.
4.1 © John Carver.
4.2 © John Carver.
4.3 Image courtesy of Wendy Herron.
4.4 Image courtesy of Wendy Herron.
4.5 Image courtesy of Wendy Herron.
4.6 Image courtesy of Wendy Herron.
4.7 Image courtesy of Wendy Herron.
4.8 Image courtesy of Wendy Herron.
4.9 Image courtesy of Wendy Herron.
4.12 “The Saucerer” courtesy of Michael A. Fink.
4.14 Image courtesy of Wendy Herron.
4.15 Image courtesy of Wendy Herron.
4.16 Image courtesy of Wendy Herron.
4.19 “The Turtle” courtesy of Michael A. Fink.
CHAPTER FIVE
“DDR” courtesy of Michael A. Fink.
5.3 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
5.4 © John Carver.
5.5 © John Carver.
5.6 © John Carver.
5.7 © John Carver.
5.8 © John Carver.
5.9 © John Carver.
5.10 © John Carver.
5.11 © John Carver.
5.13 © John Carver.
5.14 © John Carver.
5.15 © John Carver.
5.16 © John Carver.
5.17 © John Carver.
5.18 Courtesy of Tom Cariello.
5.19 © John Carver.
5.20 © John Carver.
5.21 © John Carver.
5.26 © Rosaria Sinisi.
5.28 Courtesy of John Lee Beatty.
5.29 Image courtesy of Wendy Herron.
5.30 Courtesy of Roger Bardwell, Hudson Scenic Studios.
5.31 Courtesy of John Lee Beatty.
5.32 Courtesy of Scott Pask.
5.33 Courtesy of Roger Bardwell, Hudson Scenic Studios.
5.36 Courtesy of Roger Bardwell, Hudson Scenic Studios.
5.38 Courtesy of John McKernon.
5.40 Courtesy of John Lee Beatty.
5.41 Courtesy of John Lee Beatty.
5.42 Courtesy of John Lee Beatty.
5.43 Image courtesy of Salvatore Tagliarino.
CHAPTER SIX
“Scene Shop” courtesy of Michael A. Fink.
6.1 © John Carver. Model is Chelsea Mason.
6.2 © John Carver. Model is Chelsea Mason.
6.3 © John Carver. Model is Chelsea Mason.
6.4 © John Carver. Model is Chelsea Mason.
6.5 © John Carver.
6.8 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
6.11 © John Carver.
6.17 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
6.18 Image courtesy of William Domack.
6.19 Image courtesy of William Domack.
6.20 Image courtesy of William Domack.
6.21 Image courtesy of William Domack.
6.23 Image courtesy of Rosco.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Amish Tech” courtesy of Michael A. Fink.
7.1 © John Carver.
7.2 © John Carver.
7.3 © John Carver.
7.4 © John Carver.
7.5 © John Carver.
7.6 © John Carver.
7.8 © John Carver.
7.9 © John Carver.
7.10 © John Carver.
7.11 © John Carver.
7.12a–c © John Carver.
7.13 © John Carver.
7.14 © John Carver.
7.15 © John Carver.
7.16 © John Carver.
7.17 © John Carver.
7.18 © John Carver.
7.19 © John Carver.
7.20 © John Carver.
7.21 © John Carver.
7.22 © John Carver.
7.23 © John Carver.
7.24 © John Carver.
7.25 © John Carver.
7.26 © John Carver.
7.28 © John Carver.
7.29 © 2005 George Mott.
7.30 © John Carver.
7.31 © John Carver.
7.32 © Beth Bergman.
7.33 © John Carver.
7.34 © Beth Bergman.
7.35 © Michal Daniel.
7.36 © John Carver.
7.38 © John Carver.
7.39 © John Carver.
7.40 © John Carver.
7.41 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
7.42 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
7.43 © John Carver.
7.44 © John Carver.
7.45 Image courtesy of Mutual Hardware.
7.fact1 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“Uniman” courtesy of Michael A. Fink.
8.1 Courtesy of John Lee Beatty.
8.2 Courtesy of John Lee Beatty.
8.3 Courtesy of Scott Pask.
8.4 Courtesy of Roger Bardwell, Hudson Scenic Studios.
8.5 Courtesy of Roger Bardwell, Hudson Scenic Studios.
8.6 Courtesy of Roger Bardwell, Hudson Scenic Studios.
8.7 Courtesy of Carrie Silverstein, Hudson Scenic Studios.
8.8 Courtesy of John Lee Beatty.
8.13 Courtesy of Roger Bardwell, Hudson Scenic Studios.
8.14 Courtesy of Roger Bardwell, Hudson Scenic Studios.
8.15 Image courtesy of William Domack.
8.16 Courtesy of Roger Bardwell, Hudson Scenic Studios.
8.17 Courtesy of Roger Bardwell, Hudson Scenic Studios.
8.18 Courtesy of Roger Bardwell, Hudson Scenic Studios.
8.19 Courtesy of Roger Bardwell, Hudson Scenic Studios.
8.20 Courtesy of John Lee Beatty.
8.21 Courtesy of Roger Bardwell, Hudson Scenic Studios.
CHAPTER NINE
“Red Dawn Mod” courtesy of Michael A. Fink.
9.2 Courtesy of Grace Brandt, Hudson Scenic Studios.
9.4 Courtesy of Scott Pask.
9.5 Courtesy of Scott Pask.
9.6 Courtesy of Grace Brandt, Hudson Scenic Studios.
9.7 Courtesy of Grace Brandt, Hudson Scenic Studios.
9.8 Courtesy of Grace Brandt, Hudson Scenic Studios.
9.9 Image courtesy of William Domack.
9.14 Courtesy of Grace Brandt, Hudson Scenic Studios.
9.15 Courtesy of Grace Brandt, Hudson Scenic Studios.
9.16 Courtesy of Grace Brandt, Hudson Scenic Studios.
9.17 © Beth Bergman.
9.22 © Beth Bergman.
9.24 © Michal Daniel.
9.26 © Rosaria Sinisi.
9.27 © Rosaria Sinisi.
9.28 © Rosco.
9.29 © Rosco.
9.30 © Rosco.
9.31 © Rosco.
9.32 © Rosco.
9.33 © Rosco.
9.34 © Rosco.
9.35 © Rosco
9.36 © Rosco.
9.38 © Rosco.
9.39 Courtesy of Grace Brandt, Hudson Scenic Studios.
CHAPTER TEN
“Mind in Chains” courtesy of Michael A. Fink.
10.1 © John Carver.
10.3 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
10.4 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
10.5 © John Carver.
10.6 © John Carver.
10.7 © John Carver.
10.8 © John Carver.
10.9 © John Carver.
10.10 © John Carver.
10.11 Photo courtesy of Jason Adams, 1869 Bardavon Opera House.
10.12 Photo courtesy of Jason Adams, 1869 Bardavon Opera House.
10.13 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
10.15 Image courtesy of William Domack.
10.16 © John Carver.
10.17 Image courtesy of William Domack.
10.18 Image courtesy of William Domack.
10.19 Photo courtesy of Jason Adams, 1869 Bardavon Opera House.
10.20 Photo courtesy of Jason Adams, 1869 Bardavon Opera House.
10.22 Photo courtesy of Jason Adams, 1869 Bardavon Opera House.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“House 2 Half” courtesy of Michael A. Fink.
11.1 © John Carver.
11.3 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
11.4 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
11.5 © Beth Bergman.
11.7 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
11.8 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
11.9 © Beth Bergman.
11.10 © 2005 George Mott.
11.11 Photo courtesy of Jason Adams, 1869 Bardavon Opera House.
11.14 © Altman Lighting, Inc.
11.16 © Arri Group.
11.17 © Altman Lighting, Inc.
11.18 © Altman Lighting, Inc.
11.19 © Altman Lighting, Inc.
11.20 Photo courtesy of Matthew Allar.
11.21 © Selador, Inc.
11.22 © City Theatrical, Inc.
11.23 © Martin Professional.
11.24 © Martin Professional.
11.25 © John Carver.
11.26 © Electronic Theatre Controls.
11.27 © Electronic Theatre Controls.
11.28 © High End Systems.
11.29 Image courtesy of Ken Billington.
11.30 Image courtesy of Ken Billington.
11.31 Image courtesy of Ken Billington.
11.32 Image courtesy of Ken Billington.
11.33a–e Image courtesy of D. M. Wood.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Haiku” courtesy of Michael A. Fink.
12.3 © Carol Rosegg.
12.4 © Carol Rosegg.
12.21 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
12.22 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
12.23 Image courtesy of Campbell Baird.
12.24 Image courtesy of Campbell Baird.
12.30 © George Mott.
12.45 © Beth Bergman.
12.46 © Beth Bergman.
12.47 © Beth Bergman.
12.48 © Beth Bergman.
12.49 © Patternmaker Software.
12.50 © Patternmaker Software.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“Da Gawdaughter” courtesy of Michael A. Fink. Original photo by Lyn Hughes Photography.
13.1 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.2 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.3 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.4 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.5 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.6 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.7 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.8 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.9a–b © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.10 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.11 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.12 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.13 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.14 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.15 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.16 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.17 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.18 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.19 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.20 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.21 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.22 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.23 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.24 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.25 Image courtesy of Linda Mensching.
13.26 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.27 © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
13.28a–e © Ben Nye Company, Inc.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Speakers” courtesy of Michael A. Fink.
14.2 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
14.3 © Sennheiser.
14.4 Image courtesy of Wikipedia as part of Creative Commons License.
14.6 © Yamaha Pro Audio.
14.7 © John Carver.
14.8 Photo courtesy of Jason Adams, 1869 Bardavon Opera House.
14.9 Photo courtesy of Jason Adams, 1869 Bardavon Opera House.
14.13 © Clear-Com Communication Systems.
14.15 Photos courtesy of Sound Associates, Inc.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“Studio Star” courtesy of Michael A. Fink.
15.1 © John Carver.
15.2 © Beth Bergman.
15.3 © Beth Bergman.
15.7 © Altman Lighting, Inc.
15.8 Photo courtesy of Anne Johnston, Production Resource Group, LLC.
15.9 © Beth Bergman.
15.10 Image courtesy of Geoff Dunbar.
15.13 © GAM Products, Inc.
15.14 © Diversitronics, Inc.
15.15 © Diversitronics, Inc.
15.16 © John Carver.
15.17 © Beth Bergman.
15.18 © Rosco.
15.20 © Rosco.
15.21 Image courtesy of Anne Johnston, Production Resource Group, LLC.
15.22 Image courtesy of Anne Johnston, Production Resource Group, LLC.
15.23 Image courtesy of Anne Johnston, Production Resource Group, LLC.
15.24 Photo courtesy of Anne Johnston, Production Resource Group, LLC.
15.27 Photo courtesy of Jason Adams, 1869 Bardavon Opera House.
15.28 © Rosco.
15.29 © Main Light Industries.
15.30 © Michael Brosilow.
15.31 © Michal Daniel.
15.32 Image courtesy of Tom Cariello.
15.33 Photo courtesy of Curt Ostermann.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“A Clipboard Life” courtesy of Michael A. Fink.
16.8 Image courtesy of Andrea Newman-Winston.
16.12 Image courtesy of Andrea Newman-Winston.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“Stone Café” courtesy of Michael A. Fink.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“Thank you Mr. Monet” courtesy of Michael A. Fink.
APPENDIX E:
CORPORATE HELP
Theatre is a big business, but really a small one. The industry is far-reaching; in fact, it covers all corners of the world—and everything in-between. It is still small enough, however, that most people know each other, or at the very least have heard of each other. In researching and writing this book, I was able to call on many companies and individuals for help. Everyone I contacted offered their assistance in ways I could only dream of. Some went above and beyond my wildest expectations.
I would like to give a special thanks to the following companies, for without them I would not have been able to add the level of detail to make this book what it is!
FIG. AE.1
FIG. AE.2
FIG. AE.3
FIG. AE.4
FIG. AE.5
FIG. AE.6
FIG. AE.7
FIG. AE.8
FIG. AE.9
FIG. AE.10
FIG. AE.11
FIG. AE.12