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 |
|---|---|---|
| SOUND CUE | A cue for the commencement of a sound effect. | |
| SOUND EFFECTS | 1) Recorded: Often abbreviated to FX. There are many sources for recorded sound effects, most recently on Compact Disc. May form an obvious part of the action (train arriving at station) or may be in the background throughout a scene (e.g. birds chirping). 2) Live: Gunshots, door slams, and offstage voices (amongst many others) are most effective when done live. | |
| SOUND REINFORCEMENT | Amplifying a voice just enough so that it can be heard, without the audience being aware that it is being amplified. | |
| SPANSET | ||
| SPEAKER | Short for loudspeaker | Loudspeaker |
| SPECIAL | A lighting instrument used for a very specific purpose, rather than as part of a system such as an area light or color wash. | |
| SPIDER | Adapter to connect many lighting instruments to one multicore cable. Consists of multi-pin connector, short length of cable, then a number of sockets related to the number of circuits in the cable. | |
| SPIKE | To mark the position of an item of set/furniture on stage, using chalk, paint, or tape. Sometimes called a spike mark. | |
| SPIKE MARK | ||
| SPILL | Unwanted light onstage. | |
| SPINE | In the Stanislavksi method, the dominant trait in the character assumed by the actor. | |
| SPLITTER | ||
| SPOT | ||
| SPOTLIGHT | General term for any lantern with a lens system. | |
| SQUELCH | Control on a radio microphone receiver for fine-tuning the reception according to the surroundings. | |
| STAGE BUSINESS | Incidental activity performed by an actor for dramatic or comic effect. This might include writing a letter, lighting a pipe, having trouble with a door, checking a mirror, etc. | |
| STAGE CONVENTION | Any action that would be odd in real life, but accepted as normal on stage, such as a stage whisper, ensemble singing, spotlighting, the use of verse, mistaken identities, soliloquies, etc. | |
| STAGE DIRECTIONS | The printed instructions to actors and/or directors found in published plays, as in "John pauses and considers Mary's words, then walks to the window and peers out." | |
| STAGE ELECTRICIAN | Member of the electrics staff whose responsibility it is to set or clear electrics equipment during scene changes. May also carry out color changes on booms, etc. | |
| STAGE LEFT | Actor's left when facing the audience. |
