Theatre Terms
As a service to the theatre community, AACT provides over 1000 definitions of theatrical terms. Fully searchable, our glossary is helpful for technical staff, directors, actors, producers, or anyone wanting to better understand the inner workings of theatre.
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Click on a letter (A-Z) below to find terms beginning with the specified letter, OR enter a word in "Search for Term" OR search by entering a word in "Words in Definition." For example, entering the word "curtain" would display all words whose definition includes that word. (Note: If the A-Z or word search has been activated, it must be reset before using "Search for Term" or "Words in Definition." To reset the A-Z search: Click Here)
| Term | Definition | Link |
|---|---|---|
| LASH LINE CLEAT | A small metal piece that can be screwed into the back of a flat frame, with a projecting tip over which a lash line can be slipped. | |
| LAUGH LINE | A line of dialogue that is calculated to produce a laugh from the audience. | |
| LAVALIER MICROPHONE | Originally, a mic worn around the neck on a string. Now applies to a small "tieclip" microphone. | Microphone |
| LAY 'EM IN THE AISLES | To make an audience laugh hysterically. Thus, said of a show or performer who is successful in the effort to be funny. | |
| LAY AN EGG | Said of a production or performance that fails miserably. Sometimes said of an actor whose jokes or funny business falls flat. | |
| LC or L.C. | Abbreviation of left center. | |
| LEAD | A principal role; also an actor who plays a principal role. | |
| LEADER TAPE | (Now mostly obsolete) Non-magnetic plastic tape used to begin and end sound tapes and to separate cues on reel-to-reel tape. Clear leader tape is used to activate the automatic stop on some playback machines. Leader tape is available in a variety of colors. | |
| LEAK | To leak light; said when the crack between two flats lashed together lets light through, or when a lighting instrument's beam is not properly channeled by barn doors or top hat. | |
| LED | A light-emitting diode (LED) offers many advantages over traditional light sources, including lower energy consumption, cool-running, longer lifetime, improved robustness, smaller size and faster switching. Applications of LEDs are diverse. They are used as low-energy indicators but also for replacements for traditional light sources in general lighting and theatre lighting, although they are still more expensive than traditional "bulbs." | |
| LEG | Drape set as masking piece at the side of the acting area. Usually set up in pairs across the stage and used in conjunction with borders to frame the audiences' view. | |
| LEGITIMATE THEATRE | Professionally produced stage plays as distinguished from films, variety shows, theme park performance. | |
| LEKO | A commonly used term for an ellipsoidal spotlight, named after its inventors (Levy and Kook), the names Leko and Lekolite are trademarked by Strand Lighting Co. | |
| LENS | Optical glass with one or both sides curved, the purpose of which is to direct light by concentrating or dispersing light beams. | |
| LEVEL | 1) A platform or other area for acting, above the stage floor. 2) Generically, as in "levels," to indicate a director or choreographer's positioning of performers on platforms, steps, etc. in order to get a more interesting stage picture. | |
| LICENSE | On behalf of the author(s) the representative grants a license to produce the show and collects a fee, or "royalty," for this license. Built into each performance license is specific language which governs how the copyrighted work must be presented. The license is not valid until the representative has double-checked availability, sent you a confirmation of the terms, and your check has cleared. | |
| LIFT | The orchestra pit and/or sections of the stage may be mounted on lifts to make moving of heavy items (e.g. piano etc.) easier. Sometimes the forestage doubles as the orchestra pit by use of a lift. | |
| LIGHT CURTAIN | A lighting effect which, when an area is diffused with smoke, produces a wall of light. Produced (usually) by a batten of low voltage PAR lamps wired in series. Automated versions are available which have color changers built-in and are able to tilt up and down. | |
| LIGHT TREE | A vertical pole on which horizontal arms can be mounted, carrying instruments. Often used behind wings for side-lighting, etc. Trees (or booms) have a base plate or stand at the bottom and are tied off to the grid or fly floor at the top (not always necessary for short booms). Trees can also be fixed to the rear of the proscenium arch or hung from the ends of lighting bars. | |
| LIGHTING PLAN | Lighting Plot |
