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Theatre Terms

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Displaying 741 - 760 of 998
Theatre Terms (A-Z) Definition
PATCH PANEL A board consisting of rows of sockets into which plugs can be connected to route sound signals or power for lighting circuits.
PATCHING 1) To cross-connect lighting circuits around the stage area to a chosen dimmer. Connecting instruments to dimmers. 2) Using a cross-connect panel which enables any stage lighting channels to the control desk to control any dimmer or group of dimmers. Some large lighting boards have the facility for soft patching - a totally electronic way of patching. Some Rock Desks have a pin patch which allows groups of dimmers to be allocated to a particular control channel. Also applies to routing of sound signals.
PATRON A supporter of the theatre, especially a paying member of the audience.
PATTER A set of amusing lines, rapidly spoken or sung by an actor; also the words for such lines.
PERFORMING EDITION The published text of a dramatic work, with alterations from the standard text to match the actualities of stage production, often including staging information.
PERIAKTOI or PERIAKTOS

A periaktoi (singular: periaktos) is a three-sided, revolving scenic device used to rapidly change scenes. 

Invented in ancient Greece, this tall, triangular structure, typically built from wood and canvas, rotates to reveal a different painted scene on each of its three faces, allowing for seamless scene transitions without stopping the performance. 
PHOTOFLOOD A lamp used by photographers which gives a bright white light. Because it has a thin filament, it gives a good flash effect (e.g. lightning), but has a relatively short life, so should not be left on for any length of time.
PICK-UP 1) Device which, when attached to an acoustic musical instrument, converts sound vibrations into an electrical signal. 2) A way of describing the directional sensitivity of a microphone. An omnidirectional microphone has equal pick-up from all around, a Cardioid microphone is more sensitive from the front, a Hypercardioid has very strong directionality from the front. A figure-of eight microphone picks up front and rear, but rejects sound from the sides.
PIG

Often referred to as a "Stage Weight," a "Pig" (as in pig iron) is a weight attached to a rope, wire or chain that is in turn attached at either end of a piece of scenery or lighting bar pulling it upstage or downstage of its naturally hanging position to allow another flying item to pass, or to improve its position, or to anchor a set piece to the stage floor.
PIN HINGE Hinge with removable pin used to join two pieces of scenery together (i.e. one half of the hinge is on each piece of scenery).
PIN SPOT A instrument focused very tightly on a small area (e.g. an actor's head) 2) A luminaire used widely in disco installations, consisting of a low voltage Par 36 lamp with a fine beam in a metal case with built in transformer.
PINK NOISE Random sounding audio noise containing all frequencies in the audio spectrum tuned to the response of the human ear. Used with a Spectrum Analyzer to set equalization equipment for a large PA installation. However, the human ear is still a better judge of how a system sounds.
PIPE or PIPES

The bar(s) on which scenery and instruments are raised (flown) above the stage area.
PIT Short for "orchestra pit." The area housing the orchestra. Originally, a lower section between the front of the stage and the audience, although now describes any area around the stage housing the musicians.
PITCH In acting, the height to which a voice is raised in tone. Also, to raise or lower the voice, not in volume, but according to the musical scale.
PLACES! A call to the actors to take their positions on, or just off the stage, as needed for the opening curtain.
PLAN A scale drawing showing a piece of scenery, lighting layout etc from above. Lighting plans are usually drawn onto the theatre's groundplan.
PLAY 1) A dramatic composition that tells story by means of dialogue, for an audience. 2) To act, act the role of, perform in. 3) Said of a script that is actable, or that is well received, as in "It played well."
PLAYBACK 1) The part of a computerized lighting control desk which enables the operator to recall cues from the electronic memory. 2) The results of a recording session.
PLAYBILL or PLAY-BILL A theatrical program. At one time, programs and posters were printed on a single sheet of paper (in the case of a program, on both sides). Such a printed sheet was called a "bill."