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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hang | To suspend any piece of scenery or equipment, such as lights. | |
| HEADS UP | A shouted warning (often just "Heads !") for staff to be aware of activity above them. Also used when an object is being dropped from above. | |
| HEADSET | 1) General term for theatre communication equipment. 2) A headphone and microphone combination used in such communications systems with a belt pack. | |
| HEMP | A type of rope used for flying, made from fibers found within the bark of the cannabis plant. | |
| HEMP SET | The simplest flying system consisting of a series of hemp ropes threaded through pulleys on the grid, and tied off on the fly floor on a cleat. The usual arrangement is for three ropes to be attached to a flying piece, named by their position relative to the fly floor (short, center and long). These names are used when leveling the flying piece, and giving it a dead. The three ropes are pulled or let in together, sometimes requiring more than one person to operate. | |
| HIGH HAT | ||
| HIGHLIGHT | To accentuate part of the face by means of a spot or line of light-colored makeup. Thus, "highlighting." | |
| HISTRIONIC or HISTRIONICS | 1) Of or pertaining to acting or actors; theatrical. 2) As "histrionics" to mean any dramatic representation, although more frequently to mean over-emotional acting. | |
| HIT | A great popular success. Originally (1835), the term meant "a wonderfully favorable impression." | |
| HOLD | In acting, to pause, as for an audience's laughter or applause. | |
| HOLD THE BOOK | To serve as prompter. | |
| HOOFER | A dancer, especially a tap dancer. | |
| HOOK | A hook on a pole used to pull an unwanted performer off the stage on amateur night in a variety show. Originally 19th century term. | |
| HOOK CLAMP | A clamp with a wing bolt for hanging a lamp on a horizontal lighting bar. | |
| HOT SPOT | 1) A stage area that is brightly lighted. 2) The brightest rays of a light beam, particularly as seen by an actor. An experienced actor learns to recognize and locate any instrument's hot spot, and to center him or herself in it for maximum visibility. | |
| HOUSE | 1) The auditorium (e.g. "The house is now open, please do not cross the stage") 2) The audience (e.g. "How big is the house tonight?") | |
| HOUSE LIGHTS | The auditorium lighting which is commonly faded out when the performance starts. | |
| HOWL | ||
| HYDRAULIC | System of controlling machinery or moving scenery using oil or water under pressure to move a piston or "ram". Used in many large-scale shows to automate scene changes. | |
| IMPEDANCE | Term for the electrical resistance found in a/c circuits. Affects the ability of a cable to transmit low level (e.g. sound) signals over a long distance. Speakers are rated according to power handling capabilities (Watts, W) and impedance (Ohms). |
