If you’re new to our theatre, and/or have heard terms that are new to you, here’s a list of some of the more common words and terms that we use at LLT. Also, of course, Google and Wikipedia are good sources for this type of information. 

Apron : The extension past the proscenium of the stage, towards the audience.

Bios : 40-60-word biographies that each actor and director prepares for the Stage Manager or Producer, as directed by him/her. Required for the show’s program.

Blocking : Direction given to actors as to where they should stand or move to during the course of the play. Actors are given these bits of direction during blocking rehearsals.

Blues, or blue lights: The hidden lamps that have been set up to provide some light backstage so that actors and technical crews can see a little bit. Usually they have a blue bulb to reduce audience visibility.

Booth : Aka Tech Booth. Where the sound and light crews operate during the production.

Call : The time that all actors and crew are expected to be at the theatre.

Callbacks : An extra round of auditions, when a director asks to see selected potential cast members.

Cast Party : A celebration where cast and crew involved with a production can relax and have a good time after the show. Usually held after the last show wraps up.

Cast photos : The cast is asked to come to the theatre at a specific time, and the theatre’s photographer takes a series of group pictures. Normally done twice – once with the cast in street clothes, and a second time in costume and makeup, on set if possible.

Costume Parade : Actors put on and parade their costumes on stage, with stage lights, so that the Costume Designer and the Director can see how they look. Often occurs just before a rehearsal.

Cue to Cue : A rehearsal, primarily for the technical crews, where the actors deliver their lines just before a technical cue, then stop and move to the next time a cue is about to occur. Not always used, but if it is, everyone must be there, and be attentive. Typically occurs near the beginning of Tech Week.

Curtain Call : When the actors come out at the end of the show to take their bows.

Curtain : Either the large drape that obscures the stage from an audience or a time when the show will start.

Down stage : The part of the stage that is closest to the audience, or movement in that direction. Sometimes just “down”. Up stage or “up” is the opposite.

Fade : A light intensity or sound level change over a period of time. For example, the lights on stage may fade to a blackout over 5 seconds.

Glow Tape : Light sensitive tape that glows when the stage is dark. Small strips are often used on steps or when there is an impediment to those moving backstage.

Green Room : The area backstage or adjacent reserved for the cast & crew to relax prior to the show starting, during intermission, or after the show. It may have a small kitchen area, bathrooms, dressing rooms or other areas as part of the Green Room or leading off it.

Headshots : Photos taken of individual actors and crew. Generally scheduled by the Stage Manager or Producer, in conjunction with the Theatre Photographer. These are required for the show’s program and for display in the Angel Terrace.

House : The auditorium where the audience sits when they watch the show.

Line : The words that the actors speak during a performance. Also, only during rehearsals, actors say “line!” to let the Stage Manager know they have forgotten their next line, and need a cue line.

Notes: The comments, instructions, and changes that the director wishes to convey, generally at the end of each rehearsal, or possibly after each Act. Typically, the cast and crew all come on stage or into the auditorium for Notes.

Off book : When an actor no longer uses his or her script to deliver lines.

On book : An individual (the ASM, AD or Stage Manager) who is on book, follows along in the script as actors say their lines, ready to give a line or correct a mistake. The actors themselves are "off book".

Paper Tech : A meeting of the Director, Stage Manager, and technical crew for the show. This is where light changes, sound changes, and other backstage activities that occur at specific points are precisely determined and are documented in the Stage Manager's script and by each tech crew involved.

Places : Stage Manager calls “Places” when he/she wants the actors and technical crews to be ready to start the show – usually 5-10 minutes before curtain.

Preview Night : Final dress rehearsal (night before opening night) when a small audience of cast and crew “friends and family” is invited to see the show. Each cast or crew member receives one or two tickets to Preview, depending on whether they are participating in the production itself (one), or worked during the preparation time only (two). Typically, one additional ticket may be purchased at a small cost.

Props : Those things that an actor works with during the production that are not costume pieces. Personal props are those things that an actor brings on and off stage, and that “belong” to that character. Stage props are those things that are set on the stage before a show or scene begins.

Proscenium : The vertical rectangle that separates the stage from the auditorium, and through which the audience sees the play. The proscenium arch generally refers to the structure across the top of the proscenium, or the three sides surrounding the proscenium (the fourth being the stage). The curtain, when closed, fills in the proscenium.

Set Dressing or Décor : That which makes the set look real but is rarely touched or moved by an actor (for example, 400 record albums on the shelf).

Sign-in Board : The bulletin board where everyone signs in and notices are posted.  Usually in the Green Room.

Speed-thru : A rehearsal without movement, sound or lights. The cast sits (possibly around a table) and says their lines as rapidly as possible (but with emotions) in order to check for line accuracy and to bring up the tempo of the show. (Also “Italian”)

Spike Marks : Tape (or sometimes paint) markings on the stage that indicate where props, furniture, and sometimes actors, are to be placed.

Stage left : The left side of the stage as seen by the actors looking out at the audience. Stage right is the opposite.

Strike : When you tear down the set, or you remove something (“strike the chair” means take it off the stage)

Tech Week : Typically the week prior to the opening of the show. Rehearsals may include paper tech, cue to cue, and full dress (with and without makeup).