Displaying 801 - 820 of 998
| Theatre Terms (A-Z) Sort descending | Definition |
|---|---|
| PVC TAPE | Plastic insulating tape used for taping cables to bars and for securing coiled cables. Neater and cheaper than gaffer's tape. Also known as LX tape. |
| PYROTECHNICS or PYRO | Chemical explosive or flammable firework effects with a manual detonation. Usually electrically fired with special designed fail-safe equipment. Types of pyro range from the Theatrical Flash (a flash and a cloud of smoke) to the Maroon (which produces a very loud bang). All pyrotechnics should be used with close reference to local licensing laws, and the manufacturers instructions. Most theatres require a professional, licensed pyrotechnician to be in charge. |
| QUICK STUDY | An actor who can memorize lines quickly, as in "She's a quick study." |
| RACK | A cabinet of standard width (19") into which various components can be bolted. Racks are ideal for touring equipment, are neat, and they allow easy access to the rear and front panels. |
| RADIO CONTROL | System whereby battery-powered practicals / props on stage can be controllable from offstage with no connecting leads. |
| RADIO MIC | Device consisting of a microphone head, transmitter pack with batteries, aerial and mains receiver unit which allows actors and singers to be amplified with no visible means of connection. Almost universally used in musicals where the singers have to be amplified to be heard over the orchestra / band. Used in non-musical shows for sound reinforcement. |
| RAIN BOX | A box or tray containing dried peas, etc. which produces a rain sound effect when inclined. |
| RAKE | The slope of a stage or an auditorium. Thus, a raked stage is one that (normally) slopes upward from downstage to upstage. |
| RAKED STAGE | A sloping stage which is raised at the back (upstage) end. All theatres used to be built with raked stages as a matter of course. Today, the stage is often left flat and the auditorium is raked to improve the view of the stage from all seats. |
| RAMP | A sloping platform on which an actor may walk. A ramp may lead up to the stage from the auditorium floor, from the stage floor to a platform, etc. |
| RC or R.C. | Abbreviation for right center. |
| RE-RIG | To change the lighting rig after the last performance of one show to the positions for the next show. |
| READ FOR A PART | In auditions, to read one's lines aloud to a stage director or casting agent. |
| READERS THEATRE or READER'S THEATRE | Presentation of a play in which the actors read from scripts, usually with no movement or staging. |
| READING | 1) A rehearsal at which the actors read their parts aloud without stage movement or stage business; often the first rehearsal, to break the ice and to give the company an opportunity to get acquainted with each other as performers. 2) A presentation of a new play for or by the author, using scripts, again with no movement or stage business. 3) An actor's interpretation of his lines, as in "That's an interesting reading." |
| REAR OF HOUSE (ROH) | The backstage and storage areas of the theatre. |
| REAR PROJECTION | Also known as "Back Projection." The throwing of an image onto the stage by means of light, for an optical or design effect. |
| REGIONAL THEATRE | Said of theatres of a particular region, or of theatres in general outside of major theatrical centers, individually or collectively. |
| REHEARSAL | A practice session to prepare a production for public performance. |
| REHEARSAL CLOTHES or PRACTICE CLOTHES | Garments used by the performers that have similar characteristics as the costumes that they will be wearing in the production. For example, a woman might wear a long piece of muslin tied to her waste that mimics a train, so she can practice walking up or down stairs, sitting, or exiting through a door. A man might want to wear a rehearsal outfit that is tight around the chest and shoulders to mimic a dress uniform. Other possibilities in rehearsals might include wearing high-heel shoes or heavy boots. |